Local action for better environmental protection policies (SHAPE)

The project brought together civil society organisations, schools and young people to jointly identify local environmental problems and advocate for more effective protection of nature and the public interest.

“Local action for better environmental protection policies” (SHAPE) aimed to involve civil society organisations, schools and young people more closely in protecting the environment and the public interest at local level.

Through the project, civil society organisations and young people developed knowledge and practical skills for identifying environmental problems in their communities, advocating before institutions and taking an active part in shaping better local policies.

An important part of the project was linking civil society organisations with secondary schools. This created space for cooperation between local actors and for greater youth participation in activities for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.

In January 2021, ICS published the study “Local priorities for environmental protection in regions with protected areas”, conducted in partnership with the Macedonian Ecological Society. The study covered the regions of Demir Kapija, Prespa, Strumica, Pelagonija, Tikvesh and Ohrid and mapped the key local priorities and challenges in nature protection.

The project ended with an event in January 2022 attended by more than 130 young people from across the country. They shared their views, ideas and recommendations for nature protection, showing that young people can actively contribute to more responsible local environmental policies.