Opportunities for Youth
Environmental Leadership Program (ELP)
The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) was established in 1993 as a partnership between the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps and Taller Internacional de Servicios (TAIS), a non-profit environmental and community development organization in Costa Rica.
Purpose
A cross-cultural exchange program between Atlantic Canada and an international host country, the ELP exposes youth aged 19-25 to community-based environmental education and activities in both internationally and here at home. The ELP involves youth from Atlantic Canada (six from Nova Scotia, six from Newfoundland) in a four month experiential learning program between mid-April and late August. The NSYCC only recruits Nova Scotian participants and the following description of the program is designed for Nova Scotian applicants.
How ELP Works
Youth aged 19-25 from Nova Scotia work on community environmental projects in both Nova Scotia and Costa Rica. The ELP has three phases. First, the participants are given an orientation to the program, in addition to education and training. Second, the Nova Scotian ELP participants go to the international host country to work on community based environmental projects initiated by community partners. Participants attend orientation sessions to familiarize themselves with program policies, time lines, and cultural adaption. Third, the Canadian ELP participants and the travel to Halifax. After a debriefing session the Nova Scotians work on Youth Corps projects for the months of July and August. **Note: In 2008 program phases are under review, and may be revised to reflect program requirements.
ELP Participants
Nova Scotian youth between the ages of 19 and 25 were accepted for the 2007 program, and arrived in Costa Rica in early May. They returned in mid-June.
Benefits to ELP Participants:
- Participants receive local and international work experience and transferrable job skills such as self-confidence, leadership, project management, public speaking and team-building.
- Participants develop a better sense of environmental issues and learn how communities can respond to them.
- Participants gain an appreciation of the international dimension of environmental work and learn to pull together to solve problems and communicate across cultures.
- Participants learn about and develop an appreciation for a different culture
Financial Information
ELP participants are unwaged throughout the program, but receive a modest pocket allowance and an honorarium upon successful completion of the program. All travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the program.
Responsibilities of Successful Applicants:
- participate in all formal ELP training sessions (workshops, etc.)
- travel to an international host country for about eight weeks and live there with a host family
- work on environmental and community development projects while abroad
- actively participate in and attempt to learn from experiential and cross cultural learning
- opportunities (i.e language)
- work on environmental projects in Nova Scotia for 8 weeks
Qualifications:
- a permanent resident of Nova Scotia
- between the ages of 19 and 25
- healthy and capable of working outdoors
- aware that ELPers work as volunteers
- keen on gaining leadership experience
- keen on improving the environment
- keen on learning about community development
- willing to comply with the program rules and standards of behavior
Application Format
The ELP application consists of two documents: your resume and a cover letter. A third document, a letter of confirmation from your parents or guardians, is recommended to complete your application package. These documents are described as follows:
Resume:
- name
- mailing address (current and permanent)
- telephone number (current and permanent)
- e-mail address (if applicable)
- educational backgroundtraining (first aid, languages)
- future education and career goals
- previous work & volunteer experience
- extra curricular activities
- references
- Please confirm that you are between the ages of 19 and 25.
Cover Letter
Explain what you expect to gain and contribute to this program. Please let us know how you heard about the ELP.
Application Procedure
All Nova Scotia applicants are to send their ELP applications to the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps address. The detailed posted can be found on our forms page.
Please note: All projects are dependant on confirmation of 08/09 NSYCC program funding
Program Deadline
Information regarding deadlines for this opportunity can be found on the Program Deadlines page.
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