We partner with EconoxLaos to support the Lao Youth in engaging in biodiversity conservation in Laos!

On 02 May 2024, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EconoxLaos to partner in implementing a common project in the next 12 months: “LAO YOUTH ON A MISSION! For Nature Conservation: Inspiring the Next Generation of Lao Nationals in Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Protection“. The project’s ultimate goal is to inspire, provide capacity, and encourage Lao youth to pursue careers in conservation in Laos and build a dedicated new generation of Lao conservationists. This youth incubator camp will include a two-week training camp covering several practical case studies on different nature conservation issues in Laos and soft skills workshops. Following up the training camp, participants will be supported and mentored in securing volunteering/internship placement and/or developing and implementing their own small projects.

The rich biodiversity found in Laos is under multiple and short-term threats, which has already led to the national-level extinction of several species. However, today, only a few Lao nationals will consider or have opportunities to pursue a career path in nature conservation. This situation is one of the many factors preventing better conservation standards in the country. This observation is shared among all conservation partners and practitioners in Laos. In this context, we are initiating a training course to inspire the new Lao generation (targeting 18-30 years old) to become nature conservationists. This program will provide a non-technical overview of conservation issues and conservation interventions by conservation partners and an opportunity for the participants to network with conservation organizations in Laos. We will focus on providing basic knowledge in the Lao context, focusing on fun and interactive format delivery that is fully adapted to the audience. We will be mentoring (including soft skills training), following candidates with volunteer/internship placement within organizations, and offering competitive seed funding for small projects. Ultimately, we envision implementing this first pilot program annually to grow a community of young Lao nationals with the same commitment to nature conservation and increase the number of Lao conservationists.

This project has already been endorsed by several partner organizations who have all committed to presenting practical case studies on the work they are implementing in Laos (including WWF, WCS, IUCN, Elephant Conservation Center, the Saola Foundation, Free the Bears, Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, Center of Excellence for Biodiversity of the National University, Zero Waste Laos). In addition, several other organizations specialized in capacity building will be leading soft skill workshops (including Katalyst, XMTechnovator, Global Shapers Vientiane, Startnovation, and Stella).

We are excited to bring all these organizations together towards a common goal!