Environmental Awareness and Improvement Programme (EAIP)

Wednesday, 04 April 2007

HAYAT In 2005 BTC/SCP launched the Environmental Awareness and Improvement Programme (EAIP), which was designed to raise awareness about the natural environment and to provide 106 pipeline affected communities the opportunity to develop and implement community based interventions that would improve the environment and quality of life in those communities. Engagement of youth into the program activities was one of the priorities of the program. The EAIP is being implemented by the National NGO “HAYAT” in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Economic Development as well as local youth NGOs. The EAIP consists of two main components: environmental awareness programs and community-based, environmentally focused micro-projects. The program has three main themes: Renewable energy and energy management; Environmentally friendly economic development; Waste management/disposal – solid and water waste. The objectives of the program are to: Assist CIP communities to improve their quality of life through environmentally friendly activities; Conduct environmental awareness programs in all the AGT Pipelines Project CIP communities which shall focus on two groups – primary school children and Community Action Groups (CAG); Develop and implement community based development interventions in mobilized CIP communities. Environmental awareness programs have been delivered to both school students and to community members in each community along the entire pipeline route. School students have participated in a seedling growing and tree planting exercise that embedded the awareness component with a hands-on exercise. This exercise and the associated ongoing monitoring of trees will keep students engaged and environmentally active even after the program is completed. In the second component, Medium Sized Projects (MSP) is used to mobilize a portion of the communities. The communities have developed proposals on environmental themes that meet a stated need or mitigate a particular environmental and community specific issue. Proposals that best met established criteria have received funding for implementation. A total of 30 projects are planned to be implemented. The projects will result in sustainable, community supported environmentally friendly interventions that enhance the natural environment and improve quality of life. Success story After participation of Yuhkari Aghasibayli Ijma Group in “Environmental Awareness and Improvement” seminar the community was thinking about what problem could be addressed through this program. Infrastructure project still remained a priority for the community, but after the seminar Hayat NGO representatives visited the community again and gave useful suggestions on proposal development and project design. Community members realized that they haven’t been looking at the biggest problem of their community. The lake in the middle of Yukhari Aghasibeyli village was a place ruined with garbage. The wind was constantly diffusing a smell of garbage, while insects were spreading diseases. Thus the central part of the village was abandoned by local population. Though community was not sure of a success of the project Hayat representatives suggested addressing this problem in their proposal. Now, when all the work on project implementation is completed, Yukhari Agasibeyli community enjoys a beautiful park around the lake, where all the visitors of the village are being invited. The garbage has been cleaned, park sides have been fenced by a steel lattice, trees have been planted and wooden benches were placed turning ruined place into the center of a recreation in the village. Another impact of the project was that some infectious diseases spread before have been prevented. In total 1100 people including community members, elderly people, youth and children benefit from this project. The project also offers some economic opportunities such as creation of small businesses and directing profits to ensure sustainable development and protection of the lake. To get an update on the programme please refer to the “Latest News” Section.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 April 2007 )