Nature Reserve Ecoseminars: Raising Civic Activity in Russia's Regions

About this grant

Despite growing political and social apathy among the general Russian population, environmental protection is a topic with the potential to engage citizens. Even during Soviet times, the protection of nature reserves ("zapovedniks") and national parks has been a traditional area of focus. In recent years, the Zapovedniks Center has worked to engage young people in the guardianship of protected areas, creating a nationwide network called the Movement of Protected Areas.Multiyear funding will enable the center to launch a program of training seminars, minigrants and technical assistance for leaders of 30 network member NGOs. Objectives will include developing a training program; conducting a two-week seminar to develop projects aimed at stimulating civic activity; selecting a second set of 15 network NGO leaders and holding a second two-week seminar; and analyzing project reports and publishing a manual on the experience and development of the Movement of Protected Areas’ Friends.The center was established in 1996 by the World Wildlife Fund to organize public support for the protection of nature reserves and national parks in Russia.