Dear John,
Let me cut to the chase: Montenegrins need our help. The good news is, there are multiple ways we can do this right now!
The Montenegrin government, supported by important NATO allies, established a military training ground in the heart of the Balkans’s biggest mountain grassland, Sinjajevina. This area is used by more than 500 families of farmers and nearly 3,000 people. Many of its pastures are governed communally by eight different Montenegrin tribes, and the Sinjajevina plateau is part of the Tara Canyon Biosphere Reserve at the same time as it is bordered by two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Now the environment and the livelihoods of those traditional communities are in imminent danger.
Here’s what we’re doing and how you can join us in helping:
World BEYOND War is working hard with local communities to remove the training ground and establish a protected area designed and governed by local communities (read, sign, and share our petition here).
We are also co-facilitating a Youth Summit which includes a two-day peace-building training — both of which will bring together young people in the Balkans to learn, share, and connect with other young people from the region around issues related to peace, security, and related activities. It will also equip them with practical skills to explore and explain the challenges and opportunities for peace and security now and in the future. Check out this video to hear more about this and consider supporting a young person to attend the summit:
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We need to raise 1525 Euros immediately to support 5 young people from Montenegro to attend the Youth Summit and peacebuilding training with other youth from the Balkans. At 35€ per young person per day for food and accommodations for three days and 200€ per person for travel expenses, we need to raise just 1525€ by July 8th for all of them to participate in this unique opportunity for peace.*
By investing in peacebuilding through the training and capacity building of these young people from Montenegro, you can help ensure the safety and security of the region — including in preserving the outstanding beauty of Sinjajevina and its traditional farming families.
Will you help a young person gain the tools they need to bring peace and security to their region? Donate, share this email, and download this poster to share info about the summit with your networks.
Want to learn more about the situation in Montenegro and the people who have put their bodies in the way to prevent military exercises on their land? Join us at our annual virtual conference #NoWar2022 July 8-10th from Montenegro or wherever you are! Learn more here if you want to travel to and join us in Montenegro and here to register for the conference.
* All money raised from this campaign will go to directly covering the above expenses related to bringing the 5 young Montenegrin people to the summit and training. WBW will not take any cut for funds meant to cover these costs. However, if more money is raised than needed for this campaign, we will use it to support organizational costs related to building our Youth Network, developing peace-building educational materials, and to support any related projects (like the upcoming Peace Education and Action for Impact program) and will provide an update on the impact your donations are making.
World BEYOND War is a global network of volunteers, chapters, and affiliated organizations advocating for the abolition of the institution of war.
Donate to support our people-powered movement for peace.
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