The 2024 Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) Partners Meeting, held at Central Luzon State University in Science City of Muños, Nueva Ecija on February 19, 2024, was a resounding success. The event brought together coordinators and members from 28 state colleges and universities across the Philippines, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and showcasing remarkable achievements in environmental governance.

Sharing Success Stories

  • IEG partners proudly presented their successful environmental initiatives and action plans:
  • Sustainable Forest Conservation: Batanes State College and Visayas State College shared their collaborative practices in forest conservation efforts.
  • Community-Based Waste Management: Mariano Marcos State University, Central Luzon State University, and Pangasinan State University highlighted their effective programs.
  • Coastal and Marine Protection: DMMMSU, SLSU, BU, CATSU, and FSUU showcased their programs for coastal and marine resources conservation.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

  • The meeting wasn't just about celebrating achievements. IEG partners actively shared valuable lessons learned and identified best practices to inspire and guide newly established partners in Cagayan and Camarines Norte. These best practices include:
  • Engaging local communities in environmental decision-making and implementation.
  • Integrating environmental education into university curriculums.
  • Collaborating with local governments and organizations to promote sustainable practices.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of projects to ensure long-term impact.
  • Leading the Way in Sustainability

The shared accomplishments of these partner universities demonstrate the significant role universities can play in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development within their communities. Their innovative and impactful initiatives serve as a model for others, paving the way for a greener future.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 IEG Partners Meeting served as a springboard for continued collaboration. Partners gained valuable insights from each other's work, strengthening their collective efforts to promote environmental sustainability across the nation. The meeting also highlighted the importance of providing technical support based on science to empower local government officials in the mandated management of natural resources for the benefit of all Filipinos.

This activity was conducted through the Environmental Justice Sector Reform in the Philippines Phase 3 (EJSRP 3) project supported by United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US INL) and United States Department of Interior-International Technical Assistance Program (US DOI-ITAP), and RESTORE WPS project funded by USAID through Gerry Roxas Foundation.