First of the projects, named "Ecological school" (1995) continued the activity that
"Erica" began from the very first steps of its existence and was devoted to the subject
of ecological camps. It was aimed at creating the system of sessions on
environmental problems to be held with the children, vacationing in summer camps.
This goal reflected one of the directions, which was emphasized within the framework
of the mission of "Erica". The project laid basis for developing the system approach
on the part of the organization toward ecological enlightenment and ecological
education. In addition to that, the project made possible to define the targeted groups
such as students, teachers, parents, educators, as well as a strategy "Erica" follows:
to influence the wide spectrum of social groups and structures and to involve them
into the process of actions aimed at achieving the set goals. As a result of the
fulfillment of this project we acquired the needed experience of interaction with the
funds. The computer equipment that was provided by the funds allowed to set up
connections with other participants of ecological movement. Those were the initial
results that followed the execution of the project and contributed to the development
of NGO. Within the framework of the project the children get necessary knowledge
and skills to research the most pronounced ecological problems on their own; the
teachers master new methods of forming ecological culture of schoolchildren, - which
reflects the public significance of the project. At present this work finds further
development on the base of a summer camp "Novocamp" where special ecological
cessions for Russian as well as international groups are organized.
"Address service of ecological education" (begun in 1996)
The fulfillment of the second project - "Address
service of ecological education", which was aimed at
laying basis for independent functioning of regional
service to effectively educate the population on
environment related problems, - was the logical
continuation of activity, carried out within the
framework of mission of the organization, as well as of
the development of organization itself. The beginning
of functioning of such a service meant not only
delivering the system of knowledge, but also realizing
system approach in the work with targeted groups
which these knowledge and concepts were delivered
to,- principle of target oriented activity. Today the
organization focuses its work on developing relations
with the local population as well as with ecological
NGOs of region. Erica carries out the functions of
resource center for many ecological NGOs of Russia.
"Organizational development and management for NGO" (begun in
autumn 1996)
The execution of the projects such as
"Organizational development and management for
ecological NGO" and "Consulting and educational
help for NGO in Bryansk Region" completed the
period of the development of "Erica" as a regional
resource center for NGO. The first project in this
direction allowed to gather different representatives of
ecological NGO in Russia for a seminar and organize
exchange of experience and teaching. The
participants got an opportunity to analyze and discuss
the achievements, define importance and a place for
themselves in the ecological movement and think over
the plans for the future. The second project
"Consulting and educational help for NGO in Bryansk
Region" (financed by the Institute "Open Society" in
1996-97) is aimed at securing development and
functioning of public associations.
"Erica" became the regional center of support for those organizations, created the
system of continuous teaching, and consulting for the active members. The center
set up close contacts with more than 120 Bryansk NGO, among those are youth and
children organizations, associations for veterans and woman, unions of sportsmen
and disabled people, different professional organizations. This provides a wide
opportunity to work with various parts of population. The library and the consulting
stand works on the continuous basis to tackle the problems of development of the
third sector.
"Wild herbs at home" (begun in 1997)
The project "Wild herbs at home" was begun with the
financial support of "Institute of Sustainable Communities"
within the framework of the program ROLL. The goal of the
project is to mobilize the population and administrative
structures to safeguard the disappearing wild species of
medicinal herbs and to secure moderate and
comprehensive use of those for health purposes by the
population. We carry out work with schools, garden
associations and owners of country- cottages to grow
medicinal herbs and improve health of children.
To sum up the results of the work the tear-off calendar (960 c.) with the description of
the methods of cultivating medicinal herbs, the book "How to grow herbs on your
own" (1,000 c.) have been published and distributed cost-free among the population.
Regional authorities as well as local ones provided financial and moral support.
