Learning that every small action can make a big difference
At 14 years old, Ana Vučković from Grahovo, Montenegro, is proving that young people can be powerful advocates for the planet. A Scout since the age of seven, Ana has grown up learning about responsibility, teamwork, and respect for nature, values that have shaped her commitment to protecting the environment.
Recently, Ana participated in the Training on Environmental Protection, a three-day programme that brought together 25 young people to learn about sustainability, leadership, and local environmental action through hands-on workshops and outdoor activities, as part of the Rise & Lead project, funded by the Youth Empowerment Fund. In Montenegro, many communities, particularly rural ones, face ecological challenges and have limited access to public education on environmental issues. Through working with Scouts, it became clear that young people are eager to learn and take action, but often need support to develop the skills to turn their ideas into real projects.
“The most important lesson I’ve learned is that we must protect nature for the future, because it is the lungs of our planet,” Ana shared. “Every small action matters, and both individual and collective efforts are essential to preserving the environment for generations to come.”
Through Scouting, Ana has gained practical skills in navigation, problem-solving, and resilience, as well as a deeper connection to the natural world. These experiences have helped her develop confidence and the ability to take initiative in her community. She now hopes to focus her efforts on ecology and the preservation of biodiversity, recognising how essential healthy ecosystems are to life on Earth.
“Protecting nature isn’t only about saving animals and plants,” Ana explained. “It’s about ensuring a sustainable environment where everyone can thrive.”
To inspire others, Ana plans to make environmental activities engaging and fun, combining learning with action to motivate her peers. She hopes to lead interactive initiatives, such as clean-up days, biodiversity workshops, and eco-games, that help young people understand that sustainability begins with simple, everyday actions.
“My goal is to create a sense of shared responsibility and excitement about protecting our planet,” she said. “Caring for nature is meaningful and enjoyable, and it’s something we can all be part of.”
Through Scouting and this project, Ana continues to grow as a young leader, showing that environmental protection begins with awareness, grows with action, and flourishes when shared with others.
About the Youth Empowerment Fund
The Youth Empowerment Fund, a partnership between the European Union and the Global Youth Mobilization, an initiative of the Big Six Youth Organisations, aims to break down barriers to funding; provide opportunities for mentoring, coaching and capacity strengthening; unlock opportunities for marginalised and under-represented communities; engage, empower and mobilise young people to create local solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, from climate change and gender equality to access to education and employment.
Young people lead all aspects of the Youth Empowerment Fund, from selecting grant beneficiaries to serving on the board of the initiative, supporting mentoring and capacity-building programmes, and participating in the design, leadership, and implementation of projects in their communities.