Green Belt Explorers - Learn it, Live it, Promote it

The project is implemented by the Scout and Guide Association of Macedonia in collaboration with the Scout and Guide Association of Montenegro and the Scout Association of Serbia from January 2025 to April 2026.

Challenge 

The Balkan Green Belt is a hidden treasure, home to untouched forests, pristine lakes, and rare species. But it faces growing threats - deforestation, habitat destruction, and declining biodiversity. Many young people are unaware of its ecological importance, making its future uncertain.

Without action, these landscapes risk irreversible damage. To protect them, we must educate and engage the next generation, equipping them with the skills and passion to become defenders of nature. This project empowers young people to take meaningful action to ensure that the Green Belt remains a thriving haven for people and wildlife.

Objective

This project empowers 24 youth ambassadors from North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro to become active protectors of the Balkan Green Belt. Through a 16-month programme, participants will gain environmental knowledge and leadership skills through workshops, field visits and public campaigns.

Approach

To achieve our goals, we will implement a youth-centered, hands-on environmental education program through the following key activities:

• Youth Camp & Field Visits: We will organize a 5-day youth camp in North Macedonia, including visits to Galicica and Jablanica. We will visit Serbia and Montenegro to explore conservation challenges.
• Capacity Building & Training: We will train 24 young European Green Belt ambassadors through interactive workshops on biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable development.
• Public Awareness & Community Engagement: We will organize European Green Belt Days in three countries, engaging 6,000+ citizens in conservation efforts and launch social media campaigns to increase project visibility.
• Follow-up & Sustainability: Participants will conduct local workshops in their communities to share knowledge. A final conference will bring together stakeholders to strengthen cross-border cooperation.

This approach combines education, field experience, and advocacy, ensuring long-term impact on youth engagement and environmental conservation.

Expected Results

By the end of the project: 

• 24 youth ambassadors will be equipped with skills to protect the Balkan Green Belt through hands-on environmental education.
• 4 field visits will be conducted—two in North Macedonia (Galicica & Jablanica) and one each in Serbia and Montenegro—allowing participants to explore conservation challenges firsthand.
• The new amabassadors will organize 6 follow-up workshops, engaging 150+ new participants in their local communities.
• Public events and social media campaigns will reach over 6,000 citizens, strengthening awareness of biodiversity protection.
• A cross-border youth network will be formed, linking 10+ local NGOs for long-term environmental cooperation.
• A final conference will gather stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of youth-led conservation initiatives.

Our project will ensure that youth-led conservation efforts continue beyond the project, fostering a long-term commitment to protecting the Balkan Green Belt’s biodiversity.