Total cost: EUR 681,857

EU contracted: EUR 545,485.60

Duration: 01/12/2019 to 01/12/2022  

Implementing organization: Mongol Ecology Center

Benefitting zones: Ulaanbaatar, Khovd and Umnugovi aimags, Mongolia

Overall objective

The main objective of the YSC is to empower young people by educating them about their citizen rights, and by developing their skills to monitor, collaborate, and advocate for the use of best practices in effectively managing and utilizing Mongolia’s natural and cultural resources

Specific objective

• Collaborate with the national parks and use them as platforms to support youth development, and provide internship programs that will activate youth, help them initiate and implement innovative community service projects—and prepare them for these projects by offering comprehensive training on issues related to leadership and public participation, park and visitor management, stewardship of the land and water, and the formation of sustainable economies
• Ensure that young people, regardless of their gender or socioeconomic status, their ethnic or religious background, or other geographical factors, are fully engaged in community discussions and decision-making, and their talents are nurtured to help them develop as future Mongolian leaders
• Build a national network of educators (a YSC Board of Advisors) who will work with scientists and other experts to provide valuable lessons on leadership and sustainability to school-age children

Expected results

• At least 18 innovative community projects/campaigns will be successfully implemented to address national and/or local sustainability challenges
• Some 600 students will be chosen to attend an advanced summer training camp—hosted by one of the national parks—where they shall enhance their knowledge and skills in the fields of public outreach and leadership, resource stewardship, and the management of parks
• 100 successful graduates will intern with various organizations, such as local tourism and other businesses, national park administrations, news outlets, or groups of researchers or community artists/artisans
• A national infrastructure or network will be created for young people to connect digitally, collaborate on projects, and take innovative approaches to influencing Mongolia’s sustainability policies