Environmental Protection and Conservation Program (EPCP) is a program that deals with environmental issues:
On basis of a community-led and eco-friendly approach, ISRCD strives to sustainably balance socio-economic and ecological functions of hillsides through community empowerment to reduce vulnerability and risks related to climate change issues.
Young people can play an active role in protecting and improving the environment. They can change their lifestyle and how it affects the environment. They can make their homes, schools and youth organizations more environmentally friendly by adopting environmentally friendly practices, recycling of different materials (electronics ……) as well as preserving resources such as water and electricity.
Engaging youth in environmental protection not only creates direct impact on changing youth behaviors and attitudes, but possibly influence their parents, relatives and families. ISRCD privileges the participation of children and young people as the bearers of future commitments and efforts for eco-friendly environment and sustainable development through the establishment of environmental clubs at community levels and at primary and secondary schools.
ISRCD through environmental education and raising awareness campaigns intends to always involve schoolchildren and youth to actively participate in protecting and conserving nature species and local habitats, tree planting, creating home and community gardens.
Since low income and high unemployment among youth often pose great challenges to community welfare, ISRCD projects work with youth to enhance their professional skills and provide alternative livelihoods that contribute to sustainable environmental achievements.
The exploitation and destruction of natural resources pose an enormous threat to rural areas. Soil erosion, and unsustainable use of resources are prominent issues in rural areas. The scale and extent of environmental degradation, coupled with the lack of attention it receives in development planning, make it a primary issue that ISRCD through EPCP strives to address.
The overall goal for EPCP is “Improved resilience to climate change through community-based and eco-friendly environment conservation projects”.
EPCP partners with community-based organizations that work at the local levels to integrate environmental-friendly solutions by supporting a diverse group of topics related to environmental development including organic agriculture, sustainable water management, forest regeneration, biodiversity, renewable technology, and advocacy.
The emphasis is put on empowering local communities to better understand the environmental threats that affect them and to place prominent values on sustainable resource management.
Through EPCP, ISRCD strives to provide support for programs and initiatives that:
-Create advocacy campaigns and increase community participation in proper sanitation practices, sustainable utilization of natural resources.
-Advocate for policies and programs that enhance sustainable natural resource management
-Research and implement sustainable farming solutions and alternative income-generating activities that reflect environmentally sound principles.
-Introduce environmental approaches to local communities, such as sustainable agriculture, organic demonstration gardens and various agribusiness strategies.
-Environmental protection through erosion control and development of hillside
-Establishment of waste management sites
-Promotion of green gardens
-Promotion of the use improved stoves and bio-gas