prijava
SARAJEVO, February 14 (FENA) - The beginning of the project "Strengthening the Green Network" was marked by an online meeting attended by more than 30 young people from all over BiH active in environmental protection, with the support of the Italian Embassy in BiH and the United Nations Development Program in BiH.
The Green Network aims to encourage activism and connect young people from different communities around today's common challenges related to environmental protection and nature protection. Through youth interaction, expansion and increase of Green Network membership, capacity building of network members and through joint environmental actions, youth activism will be strengthened, especially in relation to environmental protection and the fight against climate change, said the UNDP.
On this occasion, the Embassy of Italy in BiH and UNDP in BiH gathered young activists who launched the Green Network last year and participated in its activities.
Young people expressed their readiness to continue developing the Green Network in BiH through their volunteer engagement in joint cleaning and afforestation campaigns, workshops aimed at building their capacities and advocating ideas on the importance of nature conservation.
This was made possible by the Italian Embassy in BiH, which decided to support this project in partnership with UNDP BiH. The Green Network will open its doors to new young activists who are ready to join this important initiative, it is said in the statement.
The Italian Ambassador to BiH Marco Di Ruzza emphasized that, thanks to the engagement of the Italian Embassy, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, UNDP and all their partners (EU, CISP, ReTE, CIHEAM, IPSIA and others), actions such as eco-walks, tree planting, cleaning of lakes and natural sites organized in different parts of the country, with the participation of a large number of young people, especially on the occasion of marking Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5).
"From the Italian perspective, this initiative perfectly complements Italy's commitment to the topics of sustainable development, climate change, youth inclusion and European integration of BiH. Two important events were held in Italy in 2021: Pre-COP26 held in Milan and the EU-Western Balkans Youth Forum. Young representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina had the opportunity to travel to Italy and meet with their peers to discuss together issues of paramount importance for their future," said Ambassador Di Ruzza.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in BiH Stephen Kinloch Pichat said that what makes this initiative special is the enthusiasm of young people, as well as the influence of volunteers committed to environmental protection, organized as formal or informal groups.
According to him, in BiH, young people are not given enough space in society, and through projects such as the Green Network, a platform is being created that encourages youth activism.
He pointed out that initiatives like this send a strong message that real change in society must come from young people who are willing to work together to achieve a common goal.
The project "Strengthening the Green Network" with a total value of 166,000 euros is funded by the Embassy of Italy, and co-financed and implemented by the United Nations Development Program in BiH. The project will be implemented during 2022, said the UNDP.
(FENA) S. R.
