Building on the success of the pilot project, known as the Environmental Leadership Training Program, the REC plans to continue the internship initiative under the new title of the East-East NGO Exchange Program (EENEP) for 1996 - 1997. EENEP is a joint program sponsored by the REC and the Environmental Partnership for Central Europe which pairs inexperienced environmental NGOs with more experienced organizations throughout the region.Zarko Koneski participated in the pilot project as an intern with Grune Liga this summer. Below intern and host share their experiences and thoughts on the program.
The following sections presents my activities as an intern in the Grune Liga Berlin e.V. International Work, during the period from 28 July to 25 August 1996. This visit took place under the auspices of the Environmental Leadership Training Program (ELTP), organized by REC, Head Office. Also, this report shortly introduces me, my environmental organization, the host organization in Germany, and the ELTP.
I am a member of the environmental organization "Opstanok" from Skopje, Macedonia. With more than three years of active voluntary work, I have taken part in many local activities, protests, campaigns, workshops and seminars. I represented the Environmental Movement of Macedonia with a project about the creation of an environmental library, which was awarded by WWF in 1995.
In May 1995, I received a degree in Computer Science from the Electrotechnical Faculty in Skopje, and I'm currently a postgraduate student at the same faculty, specializing in multimedia information systems. As part of this study program, I am involved in developing a computerized pollution monitoring system for Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, which is a joint project between the Computer Science Institute at Electrotechnical Faculty in Skopje and Hydrobiologic Institute in Ohrid, Macedonia.
The aim of the ELTP program is to promote and strengthen active cooperation between environmental groups and interests in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. The program offers exchange of experiences, establishment of links between different organizations, and allows members from less experienced environmental NGOs to stay and work with more experienced NGOs in the CEE region.
Grune Liga is an officially recognized conservationist organization looking for ways to solve avoidable environmental problems and supporting individuals and groups affected by environmental damage. As one of the biggest environmental organizations in the former East Germany, it has a well-developed network of experienced environmental groups, as well as professional contacts with other institutions from the private and academic sectors.
The internship was organized to allow participants to gather information and exchange opinions and experiences with an impressive number of local groups, organizations and institutes. I visited both successful Grune Liga branch offices, and specialized organizations and institutes in water monitoring, control and management during the internship period. Ideas for future cooperation and work on common projects were expressed from both sides.
The program was designed and modified before my arrival in the host organization, and both sides knew their duties and expectations. It was an intensive schedule, but it allowed me to establish lots of new contacts, which was it's strongest part. I finished the internship with many new ideas and plans for possible future projects. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to work on a project for the host organization. One of my suggestions for the future host NGOs can be to extend the period to maybe five or six weeks, where in the last one or two weeks the intern is free to work on a project for the host organization, to do some independent relevant research, or to make second contact to some organization or institute, that might be of a special interest to the intern.
As Zarko is studying and involved in water pollution assessment and monitoring, we designed an program which would offer an exchange of views with many water experts from the Grune Liga network as well as with experts from relevant institutions.
The internship was successful for both sides and the first step for long-term cooperation with Macedonian NGOs. In addition to the many possibilities for exchange of views, Zarko was also able to help with preparations for our workshop on energy efficiency. It was interesting for us to be able to share our experiences in project planning, involvement in the decisionmaking process, and cooperation with the various other actors. The ELTP is an intensive way to see your own work through other eyes and to broaden the horizons of both interns and host NGOs.
Last but not least during the four week internship, we have learned a lot about Macedonian culture and nature, especially about Ohrid Lake, as well as the environmental movement in Macedonia.
The most important recommendation we offer to future host NGOs is to spend more time in the preparation process with the interns in order to better integrate them into specific projects.
For applications or information contact:
Melita Rogelj, REC Head Office,
Tel: (36-26) 504-000, Fax: (36-26) 311-294, E-mail: melita@rec.org.
