CONCEPT AND PURPOSE OF THE MODEL ECO-COMMUNITIES:

Diagram outlining the planned training and expansion of the Model Eco-Communities Program

Inspired by the successes of Future Generations Pendeba Program in Tibet, and in joint pursuit of achieving an “ecological civilization” in China, FutureGenerations/CHINA and the State Administration of Forestry have developed a three-year pilot project that will exponentially build 150 Model Eco-Communities across China within three years. In 2008, we will select 50 communities, identified during 2007 Green Long March survey, with exemplary existing projects in renewable energy, carbon emission reduction, clean water, garbage disposal, and reforestation. Representatives from each community will be sponsored to participate in specialized training in Seed-Scale methodology and best conservation practices. The project will also train leaders to educate groups of rural communities in subsequent years. The goal of building these Model Eco-Communities (MEC) pilot sites is to foster creativity and human energy at the grassroots. The original 50 pilot-sites will eventually be promoted as models for villages across China, and operate as demonstration-sites for villages in the local area. Through demonstration they will help to expand the use of environmental practices in China’s rural development. This program will be implemented under the Patron sponsorship of Adrian H.C. Fu.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE 2008 MODEL ECO-COMMUNITIES PROGRAM:

Location: The initial stage of the project will involve 50 pilot-sites, comprised of villages/ communities from:

• Northeastern China: Villages from Liaoning Province
• Northwestern China: Villages from Xinjiang and Ningxia Province
• Southwestern China: Villages from Yunnan Province and Tibet
• Central China: Villages from the suburbs of Beijing

Project Categories: The following categories of conservation projects have been chosen as the main types of projects to be implemented in the “Model Eco-Communities” pilot-sites:

　　　　1. Solar Power

　　　　2. Agro-forestry

　　　　3. Non-tillage conservation

　　　　4. Firewood-saving stoves

　　　　5. Garbage separation and collection

　　　　6. Collection/ recycling of plastic sheets from agricultural fields

The above categories of projects have been chosen for their low implementation costs, simple operational methods, and potential to create lasting change in the lives of local people.

Coordinating Organizations: The following organizations are responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the project:

　　　　1. China Agricultural University

　　　　2. Shenyang Agricultural University

　　　　3. Xinjiang Finance and Economics Institute

　　　　4. Ningxia Center for Environment and Poverty Alleviation (An NGO working in partnership with China Agricultural University)

This Model Eco-Communities program will be initiated and led by FutureGenerations in partnership with the China Agricultural University. Local coordinating organizations (local universities) will oversee the details of project implementation for the MEC pilot-sites located in their area.

PATRON:

This project has received enthusiastic and generous support from Mr. Adrian H.C. Fu.