ERA group’s Weblog

Environmentally Responsible Action (ERA) group aims to promote and increase environmental consciousness, awareness, and responsibility amongst the youth and populace of Kosovo, in order to protect the natural heritage of the region.  ERA also exists to support and strengthen the rural and urban communities. Through its environmental programs, ERA sustains and reinforces local, national and trans-boundary civil society.  ERA provides youth and residents opportunities to develop problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills, which enable them to participate in future community development.  Our main objectives include: Providing environmental education and awareness activities to youth and the community; Increasing community participation in nature exploration; Leading the community in sustainable development practices both in rural and urban environments; Protecting and conserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage; Stimulating positive cross-border cooperation with our neighbors; Increasing participation of civil society through civic learning opportunities and projects.

ERA has an international Board of Directors.  Our Executive Director coordinates projects with our full-time active members, assisted by our volunteers who range from permanent ERA volunteers to local members and youth of the community.

2007 ERA Activities/Projects:

• ERA hosted the Youth in Action program sub-project group “Peace and the Environment” in coordination with youthNET – Creative Partnerships in SEE. Two meetings were held in June and October where capacity training in project development was provided to youth organizations, specifically regarding interest in the Balkan Peace Park project.
• ERA constructed the first permanent hiking trail in Rugova, which allows youth and local residents access to one of the many beautiful Rugova Canyon waterfalls. This was the first project in Rugova dedicated to youth environmental education and nature exploration. This project also served as in internship for an international youth volunteer; and was completed in its entirety by volunteers.
• ERA participated in the Municipality of Peja’s YOUTH DAY by organizing a FotoMaratona for the youth of Kosovo, which highlighted social, cultural and environmental issues of Kosovo today.
• ERA coordinated the “White Trek” to Jezerca Mountain in northern Albania through Montenegro as a promotion of the Balkan Peace Park project, and cross-border cooperation with our neighbors.
• ERA hosted the annual meeting of the Coalition of NGOs for the Balkan Peace Park.
• ERA partenered with Milieukontakt of the Netherlands, along with two other local organizations in Kosovo, to implement the Green Agenda process in three communities: Istog, Rugova (Peja), and Prizren.  The Green Agenda is a community driven initiative to work towards sustainable development.
• ERA piloted the first youth environmental education program in the winter.  During December, ERA took local youth from Peja up to the mountains of Rugova for exploration, discovery, and adventure.  During our first trip, we visited the waterfall trail where we tracked local wildlife in their habitat.  This Winter Explorers program will run through 2008.

2006 ERA Activities/Projects:

• ERA coordinated and hosted an international conference bringing the mayors of the six municipalities along the border between Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania together. At the conference the mayors signed the “Letter of Good Intent” to work towards the establishment of a trans-boundary conservation area, commonly referred to as the Balkan Peace Park.
• ERA transformed the BPP Coalition initiative into an inclusive social movement; ERA and Coalition members insured support from local authorities to their respective civil society organizations by visiting every mayor of each municipality in the region and receiving their support for the cross-border project of a trans-boundary conservation area.
• ERA hosted NGOs from the Balkan region in Kosovo, where the participating NGOs established a Coalition for the Balkan Peace Park.
• ERA documentary was shown at the UNEP conference “Enhancing Trans-boundary Biodiversity in Management in South East Europe”

ERA Donors:

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Director of Culture, Youth and Sport for Municipality of Pejë; Soros-KFOS; GTZ; Colgate University Hamilton, NY (USA)

ERA is a volunteer-based organization.  We do not currently employ members.  All our projects are completed on a volunteer basis.  Our members are a combination of full-time members and volunteers with other jobs and/or commitments.