CEEF implementing partner in USAID BiH YELC Project

In partnership with Youth Build International, CEEF will be implementing partner of the USAID YELC 18-month-long program to mobilize 720, 16 to 30 year old women and men in Northeast Bosnia-Herzegovina to lead an initiative to influence public awareness, government policy, and private investment, centered on environmental stewardship and renewable energy in the region.                                                                       

Operating through local NGOs in four hub communities—Srebrenica, Tuzla, Brčko, and Bijeljina—Eco-Action Teams of 30 young people each will gain technical skills for livelihoods in the green sector and will build environmental assets such as parks, gardens, reforested public land, weatherized homes, walking paths, playgrounds, solar lanterns, plumbing upgrades, and erosion controls in 28 surrounding communities.  The Eco-Action Teams will focus on four types of community projects: 1.) increasing energy efficiency through weatherization; 2.) environmental stewardship to protect resources; 3.) water conservation; and 4.) renewable energy, including building solar lamps for rural homes.  Beyond environmental stewardship, the themes of the program include a focus on opportunities for women, economic security, rural development, conflict mitigation, and building shared experiences of working for the common good among a multi-ethnic group of youth. 

Implementing Partners: PRONI Center for Youth Development; Center for Sustainable Development (CSD); Center for Energy Efficiency (CEEF); Youth Information Agency (OIA)

Strategic Partners: USAID; C.S. Mott Foundation

Program Goals:

Goals of the project are, 1.) establish a self-managing corps of well-informed, engaged, and inspired young leaders to promote green policies, practices, and projects for the economic and social benefit of citizens of Northeast BiH; 2.) place young people into safe, stable, well-paying livelihoods in the green sector; 3.) build alliances among public, private, and NGO stakeholders focused on the green economy.

Program Components:

1.)    YELC Policy Council: A multi-ethnic group of 40 young women and men will practice leadership and governance skills to oversee the activities of the YELC;

2.)    YELC Eco-Action Teams: Based in four hub municipalities and serving 28 communities;

3.)    Eco-Action Enterprise Development: 80 graduates will receive specialized technical training, business development services, and small start-up grants for small and micro enterprises.  They will also pursue internships, jobs, and further training in the green sector.

4.)    Local Grants and Technical Assistance: Small local community-based NGOs in each of the four hub communities will receive small operational grants and technical assistance to serve as home base for the Eco-Action Teams.