Full project description Background The development of the NGO sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Balkans is behind that of Western societies. Nonetheless, CEE NGOs are an important element of civil society and democracy as a whole, and their development must be supported however possible. NGOs play a particularly important role in the environmental field, in which they actively contribute to solving environmental problems. Practice has shown that NGO leaders are likely to play a future role in environmental decision-making at both the local and national level. Training opportunities for these future leaders are very rare. "Training for Young Environmental Leaders"is a capacity-building programme targeted at activists from Central and Eastern European NGOs and Newly Independent States. The REC addressed the need for training in 1993 by initiating the “Junior Fellowship Programme.” This programme was adapted to the changing needs of environmental NGOs in the CEE region. In 1999, when new elements were introduced and the contents were reviewed, the programme was given its current title. From 1993, the REC has organised approximately 50 one-month training sessions with six or seven participants each. During these sessions, participants receive comprehensive training on project management, organisational and leadership skills that have played a role in personal and organisational development. Around 275 young environmental activists have been trained and are now active in the environmental movement in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Newly Independent States (NIS). From the total number of activists trained, more than 80% are from CEE (Balkans included), while the rest come from NIS. Participant feedback has been very positive, and trainees have become more active and effective within their NGOs as result of the training. The training has not only helped them to develop management skills, but also has provided them with the opportunity to establish international contacts and build international cooperation. Many of these young leaders are presently involved in activities throughout the region, and they represent important human resources for regional and cooperative projects. So far, the REC Head Office alone has hired eight young leaders, and has used several more in a number of projects. Objective The programme objectives are to enhance and develop the management capability and leadership skills of NGO members in managing non-profit organisations and environmental project. It will also instill in participants an appreciation for environmental issues, and programme applications in the target countries will provide NGO members with valuable working experience, opportunities to exchange views and skills and establish links for future cooperation with host organisations. The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) and "L’Umana Dimora" from Italy will jointly implement project activities. This project encourages NGO activists to raise their level of expertise -- thereby improving the capabilities of their NGO and the NGO community. Justification "Training for Young Leaders" began in 1993 when there was tremendous need for NGO capacity-building in Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. There was no prior tradition of citizens' groups in these regions, and no clear idea of what their role within society. The need for training remains very high among NGOs, as the non-profit sector is as dynamic as other elements of society. We offer training within a wide range of topics -- from how to build NGO infrastructure to obtaining and managing funds. These are clear needs of the East European and NIS non-profit sector that are reflected in all assessments that have been conducted by the REC and other organisations. The necessity for such training is also confirmed by the high number of applications received in recent years for each training period. (On average 10 applications are reviewed for each selected participant.) This capacity-building project fits entirely within the REC's mission to provide assistance in solving environmental problems in CEE countries through the promotion of cooperation between NGOs and through their involvement in decision-making processes. It is a basic REC assumption that the environmental sector is an area where NGOs play a unique role in enabling citizens' groups to affect real change. It is especially important in CEE -- where citizens' groups remain less influential than in the West -- that committed environmental activists are fostered through training and exchanges of experience with western NGOs. With the upcoming accession to the European Union for many of the Central and Eastern European countries, it is important that NGOs establish partnerships with their Italian counterparts. Thus the NGOs involved will have the opportunity to share experience related to the implementation of the aquis communitaire in their own countries. It is hoped that, within this framework, the programme will be in line with the strategy of Italian Ministry of Environment, as well as offer new solutions to problems through an international training programme that encourages exchanges of experience and development of global understanding. Target The programme targets young CEE activists between the ages of 20 and 30. These young people represent a new generation of environmentalists, and will carry the responsibility of strengthening their NGOs. In the past, groups of trainees represented NGOs from both CEE and NIS countries, but now the following CEE countries are targeted: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey and Serbia and Montenegro. Project Description The REC, in cooperation with "L’Umana Dimora," will organise a four-week training programme on a continuing basis for young (between 20-30 years of age) NGO members in the region. The programme provides them with valuable working experience with an international environmental organisation and encourages an exchange of views and experiences between NGOs in different countries in the region and Italy. Activities will be carried out by a team of experts from both the REC and" L’Umana Dimora" who will monitor all project phases. Six participants from CEE countries will be selected for each session. The goal is to train 24 participants during the 2003 programme (four groups) and 36 participants during the 2004 programme (six groups). Selection A review committee of REC staff in Szentendre will evaluate applications. Candidates are selected on the basis of their motivation, programme expectations, and areas of interest. Letters of support from a director or NGO president is also required. If needed, additional information may requested from REC country offices or other REC affiliates. Delivery For each session, there is generally a three-week training period that includes workshops on: REC activities; the role of NGOs in civil society; environmental management; international NGO cooperation; non-profit management; fundraising; proposal writing; project management; and computer applications. The training methods used : interactive training by experienced trainers from within the REC, "L’Umana Dimora" or outside; site visits to projects or NGOs in Italy; and group or individual work assignments. During this period, trainees will also participate in REC-sponsored events, such as conferences and workshops. The materials and trainers for the programme have been developed/identified and continually improved over the eight years the programme has been running. Training curricula has also been adapted to suit regional needs. "Training for Young Environmental Leaders" will include a one-week, onsite visit to Italy. These visits are organized in order to demonstrate the some good examples of NGO project implementation or organisational work, and will also point to interesting environmental objectives such as national parks, recycling plants, environmental campaigns, sustainable agricultural practices in Italian farming, and how NGOs and associations are involved and deal with environmental issues within the EU. Italian experts will be used for sessions concerning environmental themes in order to provide students with the skills and qualifications necessary to assist their own groups and organisations in developing environmental projects. The training will focus in particular in the following subjects: preservation of protected areas; management of water resources; sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism; waste management; certification of food products; funds available and NGO fundraising in the EU; energy efficiency; and cleaner production. Trainees are invited to participate and contribute to environmental protection programmes ("L’Umana Dimora" projects, for example), thus stimulating future cooperation between Italian and CEE youth working in environmental protection. Evaluation REC staff  and programme participants will evaluate trainee performance at the end of each training session. Trainees are asked to report to their respective REC Country Office on their activities, and are encouraged to stay in contact with the REC. At the suggestion of "L’Umana Dimora" and, given the pilot nature of some of the actions proposed, monitoring and evaluation are very important in the overall structure of the programme. The coordination team will establish a proper data-collection system. Detailed activities planned for each training period The programme is being widely promoted throughout the CEE region with a brochure and other REC publications, as well as through electronic means. The training announcement is also posted on the REC website. There are established deadlines for submitting applications. Applications are evaluated by a review committee, and short-listed applicants are interviewed by telephone before a final decision is made, Housing accommodations and financial arrangements are in place. The training schedule has been prepared, and all trainers have been confirmed. Work assignments are made in consultation with participants. The programme is evaluated on a continuous basis by each participant. Trainees will receive an official certificate of completion at a specially-held award ceremony.   Expected Results Programme success is measured in terms of: the number of NGO members completing the programme; enhanced trainee performed within their respective NGOs; the number of cooperative projects undertaken by participants and NGOs during and after the programme. Ten groups will be trained during this two-year project. Each group will consist of six members. At the end of the training period, trainees will submit action plans that reflect how they will use information provided during the training period. Actual results can only be measured over time. As the main objective is to strengthen NGO groups (and therefore civil society in CEE) through these groups in the environmental field by training new and committed members, this process can only be gauged by the amount of increased activity and sustainability of the groupings within each country. Over half of all young leaders participating in this programme have managed to improve their personal and organisational capabilities upon returning to their respective home countries. The REC maintains communication with the trainees upon completion of the programme, and will continue to offer particular guidance if requested.

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