EU-Supported Summer Camp in Tajikistan Brings Together Young Environmental Leaders from Central Asia for a Greener Future

From 10 to 16 August 2026, more than 40 participants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Guliston, Sughd Region, for the regional environmental summer camp Our Green House. The group included eight teachers (6 women and 2 men) and 33 secondary school students (18 girls and 15 boys) who are members of "Green Patrols", youth environmental initiative groups working to raise environmental awareness and encourage practical action in schools and communities. The camp was organised by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in partnership with the Public Organization "Youth Group on Protection of Environment" (YGPE) / Aarhus Centre in Khujand, with the financial support of the European Union (EU).

Over six days, participants took part in interactive learning, team-building exercises and practical activities covering water pollution, climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. Participants also carried out the clean-up action along the Kayrakkum Reservoir, putting their learning into concrete action and demonstrating their commitment to protecting environment.

"What I enjoyed most was when the whole camp went together to the Bahri Tojik Reservoir and took part in a clean-up action along the shore," said Ruslan Juraev, a student from Kyrgyzstan.

The camp also gave participants opportunities to explore environmental challenges from a regional perspective. Through discussions, creative workshops and a climate quest, young people identified environmental issues shared across Central Asia and explored how regional co-operation can help address them.

"I believe that camps like this help children become more responsible, active and mindful of the world around them, while gaining new knowledge, valuable experience and good memories," said Barno Egamova, a teacher from Tajikistan.

The programme placed a strong emphasis on turning learning into concrete initiatives. Working in teams, participants developed a regional action plan for "Green Patrols", illustrating their priority areas for co-operation and proposed initiatives. This practical approach is intended to help participants take the knowledge and skills gained at the camp back to their schools and communities.

"I really enjoyed meeting young people from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and hearing about what they are doing for the environment in their schools. I'm going home with lots of new ideas and, honestly, even more motivation to do something useful in my own community," said Ermatova Okila Abduzhalil-qizi, a student from Uzbekistan.

By supporting young people to learn, collaborate and act together on climate and environmental challenges, this initiative reflects a shared commitment of the EU and OSCE to meaningful youth engagement and environmental protection across Central Asia. It also contributes to stronger cross-border networks of young environmental leaders who can continue promoting environmental awareness and practical solutions in their schools and communities.

The regional summer camp was organised within the framework of the European Union-funded project "Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia - Phase III", implemented by the OSCE and the United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The project aims to reduce environmental and health risks associated with uranium legacy sites in Central Asia, which remain a source of potential contamination and hazard for communities.