IDEA Public Union

IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Association was launched by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Ms. Leyla Aliyeva on July 12, 2011 in Baku. The organization is aimed at restoring and preserving the country’s biodiversity, ensuring its sustainable development, promoting green economy and application of eco-friendly technologies, as well as contributing to the ecological balance through expanding green spaces and tackling pollution. Focusing on work with young people, organization’s mission is to create a real and virtual community of young people, regionally and internationally, with a shared passion for the environment. Since its inception, IDEA has carried out numerous projects aimed at protection and expansion of green spaces in Azerbaijan. Within these projects, many of which are ongoing and regular, more than 5 million trees have been planted across the country with the help of IDEA volunteers, and hundreds of cases of illegal tree felling have been resolved. IDEA focuses many of its activities on the preservation of the rich fauna and flora of the region. In 2012, IDEA identified the Caucasian “big five” – animals that are under threat of extinction – the brown bear, imperial eagle, grey wolf, gazelle and Caucasian leopard. Since then, IDEA has taken a number of practical steps to preserve each of these species and intends to take action with regard to the restoration of other species of the region facing the threat of extinction. The transboundary efforts on “Reintroduction of the Goitered Gazelle” were launched to increase the population of gazelles in the region by resettling them into their natural habitats with subsequent measures to monitor movements, combat illegal hunting and protect these animals. Few leopards are encountered in the south of the country. In order to preserve the healthy population of the species in the Caucasus, IDEA has initiated the transboundary reintroduction project in the north. The decision to reintroduce the bison species has been made based on the extensive research conducted by leading local and international specialists in the recent years. It was found that the nature of Azerbaijan has favorable conditions for the bison to thrive. Along with wildlife conservation works, IDEA also organizes a series of summer camps for rural school-aged children every year, held as part of wildlife conservation programs being undertaken in Azerbaijan. Camp themes are devoted to gazelle, leopard and bison species. IDEA’s Animal Care Center provides a full range of animal care services with the vision to protect the urban wildlife and to address the issue of homeless animals in Baku and other cities of Azerbaijan. Various educational programs of IDEA are run for children as young as 6 years of age. Held every month on environmental topics, the Ecological Laboratory for Children project provides opportunities and resources to extend the children’s knowledge and awareness of the environment. Improving water and sanitation management, and combating unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices, IDEA is also committed to saving unique biodiversity of the Caspian Sea and other water basins in the Caucasus region. Each year multiple cleanup events are held on the coasts of Caspian Sea and Kura River. Promoting recycling practices in Baku, IDEA is running a recycling program in universities and schools of the city.