Ecological Resource Center “EKOMAKTAB”

Who are WE?

The Ecological Resource Center “EKOMAKTAB” is a non-governmental non-profit organization. In January 2005, it completed official registration with the Justice Department and all relevant state authorities.

The organization was established and operates in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Law “On Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations,” other applicable legal acts, and its Charter, based on the principles of voluntariness, equal rights of members, self-governance, and transparency. The highest governing body of NGO “EKOMAKTAB” is the General Assembly of members, which elects the Board. The head of the Board Council is the Chairperson elected from among its members. Currently, the Chairperson of NGO “EKOMAKTAB” is Natalya Sergeyevna Shivaldova.

History of establishment

The organization existed as an initiative group since 1999. At first, it united several children’s and youth environmental clubs: “Rostki” club at school No. 288, “Rodnik” club at school No. 88, “AQUA” club at school No. 43, and “Naturalist” club at school No. 246. Members of the “Ekomaktab” initiative group organized and actively participated in various environmental actions:

  • “For a Clean Planet Earth” — an environmental volunteer mission in the Bulaksu gorge.
  • “River Days” — a blue patrol to the Chirchik River channels and the Bozsu canal.
  • “Save the First Spring Flowers” — a campaign in Khodjikent during the blooming period of tulips and other plants.

Most likely, these activities united like-minded people. A decision was made to open and officially register the organization. Our team was strengthened by scientists from the National University, the Irrigation and Polytechnic Institutes of Tashkent, well-known environmental scientists from the Institute of the Gene Pool of Flora and Fauna of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as teachers, lecturers, and students.

In accordance with its Charter goals, the organization is open to membership and to intellectual or material contributions in any form from both legal entities and individuals, including foreign partners.

Why do we exist and work?

The mission of the organization is to unite the creative and intellectual potential of students, teachers, journalists, and leading scientists in order to develop environmental education and environmental culture among the population, raise public awareness in the field of environmental protection, preserve biodiversity, and foster interest in local studies and active nature tourism. An integral part of the organization’s activities is support for the development of small and family business based on rational use of resources and careful treatment of the environment. Initiatives are being implemented to develop and popularize ecotourism in Uzbekistan.

Implemented events / projects:

Expert participation in projects:

  • “Environmental education and awareness for rural teachers of the Chatkal reserve”;
  • Development of the “GREEN PACK” multimedia resource (a joint project with experts in environmental education and sustainable development of the CAREC Central Asian network);
  • State Committee for Nature Protection / UNDP / GEF project in Uzbekistan: “Strengthening national capacity for implementation of the Rio Conventions through targeted institutional strengthening and professional development”;
  • State Committee for Nature Protection / UNDP / UNEP project in Uzbekistan: “Measures to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances and protect the ozone layer” within the activities of the Ozone Office in Uzbekistan;
  • Uzhydromet / UNDP project “Climate risk management in Uzbekistan”;
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan / UNDP project “Implementation of a joint project to develop an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan for Uzbekistan”;
  • UN Joint Programme: “Ensuring livelihoods of populations affected by the Aral Sea crisis”;
  • Organization and implementation of children’s and youth environmental expeditions to reserves of Uzbekistan;
  • Development and publication of reference materials, manuals, and methodological recommendations on environmental education and environmental protection.

Projects:

  • Youth environmental camp “Ecolandia Country — 2004”;
  • Youth environmental camp “Eco-2013”;
  • “Environmental thinking as a resource-saving technology” — a project promoting green business ideas;
  • “Eco-design skills for girls with disabilities”;
  • “School for beginner eco-correspondents”;
  • “Climate change: personal opinion” within the Goethe-Institut “Climate and Culture” project under the “New Connections — New Perspectives” program;
  • “Raising journalists’ awareness in environmental protection and ecology”;
  • “Noise of Chimgan Forest” — tree planting campaigns in the Chimgan area;
  • “River of Life — Life of the River” — cleaning the Chirchik river floodplain from household waste and drawing attention to illegal channel extraction damaging the ecosystem;
  • “Give warmth of your soul” — greening the territories of mercy homes and homes for the elderly;
  • “500 ideas for family eco-business” (Phase 1, Phase 2);
  • “Eco-business as an alternative to unemployment” — training in home-based work skills and traditional crafts, plus information and expert support for small and family business development;
  • “EKONOM — best household resource-saving practices.”

Project objectives:

  • Develop practical household economy skills among women’s groups from low-income families through rational use of available family resources; provide training in rapid cutting and sewing using LYUBAKS technology, patchwork sewing using the PATCHWORK method, and traditional folk crafts;
  • Pilot the “EKONOM” course and replicate successful practice in other mahallas of Tashkent.

National competitions

  • “Reduce your ecological footprint” competition for best green business practice and best environmental initiative of the year in Uzbekistan;
  • Children’s creativity competition: “In harmony with nature”;
  • Competition for eco-journalists “KOPLON”;
  • Children’s creativity competition: “My native FOREST.”

Volunteering

There are many reasons why a person is willing to spend part of their time helping others: compassion, empathy, a sense of justice, thirst for adventure, and the feeling of significance of one’s actions. All of this, or any one of these motives, can inspire a person to volunteer. If this resonates with you, we will be glad to welcome you to our friendly team.

We have been organizing volunteer projects since 2008, and today there are different participation formats:

  • Educational environmental campaigns and active nature tourism competitions in children’s summer camps;
  • Support for greening the territories of homes for the elderly, and implementation of the campaigns “Second Life for Things” and “Give warmth of your soul”;
  • Volunteer field teams (support in organizing eco-tourist camps, environmental trails, tree planting, and cleaning natural areas from litter).

Of course, volunteer projects are not organized every week, but there is always room for meaningful contribution in daily work. The Ecological Resource Center “Ekomaktab” is a public initiative, and volunteer labor is the core contribution to its operations. Anyone can join the team.

Below are qualities and skills that can support the Center’s work and growth:

1. Assistants for organizing the campaigns “Second Life for Things” and “Give warmth of your soul.”

2. Artists and designers. We always need people ready to prepare layouts for leaflets, brochures, announcements, and other materials, as well as create illustrations and design.

3. Translators. There are many articles, books, videos, and films that could be translated from English and shared with people in Uzbek and Russian. If this is interesting for you, write to us indicating what and how much you are ready to translate, and we will send you links to materials.

4. PR and promotion of the Center. Write to us if you are ready to help develop our social media groups, spread event announcements, and share information about our activities.

Our goal is to offer people an alternative leisure format and involve as many people as possible in an environmentally friendly lifestyle. But not just “eco” as a trend — an informed and conscious eco-lifestyle based on knowledge and personal responsibility, not on fashion or fanaticism. That is why we hold many lectures, seminars, trainings, and film screenings, and do not charge participation fees.

If you can and want to help in one of the ways listed above, or in your own way, write to us at [email protected]