Project Description:
The project, which is in line with HSBC Group policy relates to both environment and education and addresses key issues for Armenian schoolchildren. Consisting of two phases it was implemented with intensive assistance of the Ministry of Science and Education, RA. The first phase including the trainings of trainers in schools of marzes (regions) and Yerevan capital were held to introduce the WWF “One Planet Lifestyle” principles and WWF great green ideas for sustainable living. Following the weeks of seminars on “Environment Protection and Social Responsibility” held by 59 school teachers for about 1771 pupils in more than 35 schools of Armenia the essay competition for schoolchildren were organized. Out of 109 essays 20 best ones were selected and only the authors of top three best essays were announced winners and were awarded money prizes each $1500 US for implementation of their environmental sustainability ideas

The implementation of the best essay ideas, which is already the second phase of the project, will be monitored by the HSBC Climate Champions from the bank local staff, and the environmental activities will be carried out in the period of spring and summer, 2012.

Overall, the project outcomes are considered sustainable as a network of project participants has already been established within the frames of the project aimed to strengthen intra-schools and intra-community links for better public awareness on hot environmental issues across the country. A created web-site (http://ecoyouth.info/) will serve a useful tool for the school-children to share and disseminate environmental information, which is in the long run will contribute to developing environmental responsibility for younger generation of Armenia.

Implementing organization:
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), NGO with close coordination of WWF-Armenia

Duration: 10 months, Feb-Dec, 2011 (no-cost extension to July 1, 2012)

Funding Organization / Donor: HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc

Objective: To raise the awareness on ecological problems through teenagers, hence engaging their families, schools and communities.

Project activities:

• The first phase of the project included trainings of trainers in 35 schools of 6 marzes (regions) and in Yerevan held to introduce the WWF “One Planet Lifestyle” principles and WWF ‘green’ ideas for sustainable living;
• Seminars on “Environment Protection and Social Responsibility” were held by 59 school teachers for about 207 school children;
• The essay competition for schoolchildren was organized. Out of 109 essays 20 best ones were selected and only the authors of top three best essays were selected winners to implement their environmental sustainability ideas for $1500 US each;
• The second phase includes implementation of the best essay ideas, which will be monitored by the HSBC Climate Champions from the bank local staff; and the environmental activities will be carried out in the period of spring and summer of 2012;
• A network of project participants was created aimed to strengthen intra-schools and intra-community links for better public awareness on hot environmental issues across the country (http://ecoyouth.info/).

For Further Information:
Gera Voskanyan
Partnership Development Manager
Tel: (+374 10) 54 61 56 (ext. 14)
Email: gvoskanyan@wwfcaucasus.org