Learn More About Peace Corps

Peace Corps in Romania

Country flag

Program: Environmental Management and Education (ENV)

 

The ENV program supports and assists local communities and organizations in raising environmental awareness and protecting and improving the environment. ENV Volunteers work with their host country colleagues to address the challenges posed by years of environmental disregard. Air and water quality have declined significantly and future generations of Romanians will have to cope with the long-term effects of air, soil, and water contamination from mining spoils, unfiltered smelting, and discharges of toxic industrial wastes.


Volunteers work with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments to increase public participation. They work with Romanian counterparts to protect fragile environmental areas, conserve natural resources, and expand environmental education activities. Earth Day activities initiated by Volunteers have become established activities, with thousands of students and community members participating in clean-up campaigns, essay and poster contests, school plays, and species parades.

 

Our Goals:

  • Young people in Romania will enhance their knowledge about the environment, being prepared to particiapte in actions for addressing environmental needs and to become future leaders of those communities.
  • With the support of viable, self-sustainable environmental organizations, communities in Romanian will increase in their capacity of addressing the already existing environmental issues, while preventing the occurrence of future enironmental unbalances.

Since 1993, Peace Corps Romania has successfully placed more than 300 volunteers with NGO's, APMs and National Park Authorities. These collaborations have led to exciting projects such as those detailed below.

 

Make a Difference- Video

Project Plan

A new project plan for the ENV program was adopted in 2008. You can read about it by clicking on the links below.


[Click to enlarge]Click Photo to Enlarge
Photographing nature (2007).



Meet the Staff.

Daniela Duca, Program Manager

Program Brochure

The Environmental Program Overview brochure provides background information about the program, highlights examples of partnerships and reviews several successful projects. You can download the brochure by clicking on the links below:

Request a Volunteer

If you are interested in requesting a volunteer, please complete an application and return by email it to ENV@ro.peacecorps.gov or by mail at Str. Negustori #16, Sector 2, Bucuresti Romania. You can obtain an application by clicking here.

ENV Volunteers Projects

The following are several highlighted projects:

Twelve Apostles Trail Project

This project involves the development and promotion of a multi-use interpretive loop trail -- the first of its kind in Romania -- in one of Calimani National Park's most interesting and scenic destinations: The Twelve Apostles Geological Reservation. The trail will be developed for hiking, horseback riding and backcountry skiing in winter. At the trailheads, interpretive signs will provide information on the history, geology, flora and fauna of the Calimani Mountains. Read More »

Parcul Natural Lunca Muresului Environmental/Outdoor Education Program

With 150 students a week, visiting the park for the park's environmental education, there is a very strong need for a thorough and comprehensive environmental education program. The Mures Floodplains Natural Park, developed a very thorough and experientially geared environmental education program. In August 2007, the park begin its program by engaging local school classes in this program. By 2008, the park will have 50 different students, for 3 hours at a time, 3 times a week. Read More »

 

For more information about the ENV program, or to initiate collaboration with a Peace Corps ENV Volunteer, please contact ENV@ro.peacecorps.gov.

"At the closing ceremony we awarded prizes to teams and individuals, but the overwhelming atmosphere of camaraderie and enthusiasm made it clear that when we work together to help the environment everyone wins.”
Julia Benjamin, Environmental Peace Corps Volunteer