Youth Group on Protection of Environment (YGPE)

The Public Organization "Youth Group on Protection of Environment" (YGPE) was established in 2003 and hosts the Aarhus Center in Khujand city promoting the implementation of Aarhus Convention principles since 2005. YGPE's work encompasses a range of environmental initiatives such as environmental education and awareness, climate change adaptation, public hearings, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, radiation safety, and social research. They have a history of collaboration with GIZ and other development partners, involving the development and implementation of district development plans, coordination of the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT) in the Sughd region for disaster risk reduction, and projects on climate adaptation, water-saving technologies, and awareness in partnership with UNDP and USAID. YGPE is also noted for introducing Air Quality monitoring and PM2.5 sensors in Tajikistan. They've implemented projects under the "National Water Resources Management" (NWRM) project, conducted a Youth Forum of Sirdarya River Basin, are currently researching integration of River Basin Plans into District Development Plans in the Syrdarya river basin, organized the International Business Forum ROST with GIZ as a strategic partner, and have proposed protected status for the wetlands of the upper Kayrakkum reservoir. The proposed project location for YGPE activities is in the Eastern and Northeastern parts of the Sughd region in Tajikistan, specifically Konibodom and Asht districts, areas free of conflict, crisis, and threats that could affect project implementation.