The Republican Environmental Resource Center “Ekomaktab” is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2005. Over the years, it has become a leading environmental organization in Uzbekistan, uniting experts, volunteers, and concerned citizens.
Ekomaktab actively participates in international biodiversity conventions, implements over 50 projects, supports 12 nature reserves and national parks, and works to protect rare animals such as the snow leopard, saiga, goitered gazelle, and Bukhara deer.
I am an Ekomaktab volunteer. I actively participate in educational campaigns, help organize events, and collaborate with local communities. Volunteers are an integral part of our team, and the scale and effectiveness of our projects directly depend on our efforts. However, enthusiasm alone isn’t enough to produce high-quality work: it’s essential to be able to professionally communicate results, draw attention to problems, and motivate people.
That’s why I decided to enroll in training at The Media Incubation Laboratory, organized by the Center for the Development of Modern Journalism of the Republic of Uzbekistan—another non-governmental, non-profit organization. The course was structured as a series of practical modules aimed at developing content creation skills in the digital environment.
We studied:
Headline craft—how to grab a reader’s attention in a second without using clickbait.
- Information research and verification—working with sources, fact-checking, and identifying reliable data.
Text creation—structuring materials and adapting complex topics for a wider audience.
Interviews—dialogue techniques and asking clarifying questions.
Photography basics—composition and lighting for high-quality photos and videos using a smartphone.
I’m already applying the skills I’ve acquired in my volunteer work: I prepare articles and posts about Ekomaktab projects, conduct interviews with participants and experts, and document the results of the campaigns. Now I can not only participate in initiatives but also effectively publicize them, attracting new supporters.
The training has given me practical tools that make my volunteer work more meaningful and effective. This is a valuable experience that helps develop environmental education in Uzbekistan.
Anna-Liuza Sazonova, volunteer of the Organization.