Mighty Networks Platform within the framework of the Ramsar Youth Working Group

Within the framework of the Ramsar Convention, a Youth Working Group has been established, in which Austria is nominated as the European representative. A central component of the developed Youth Workplan is the creation of a global online community platform for wetland protection. To implement this step, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection as well as Regions and Water Management (Department I/6) fully covers the annual operating costs of the platform Mighty Networks amounting to €443 as a direct grant. The funding is exclusively aimed at non-profit organizations based in Vienna and covers eligible expenses in the fields of environmental/nature conservation, digitalization, as well as energy efficiency & climate protection. The Global Nature Fund acts as co-host and manages the payments on behalf of the ministry. The grant starts on 01.09.2024 and ends on 31.08.2028, with partial amounts paid out each September.

The goal is the sustainable establishment of a digital platform that connects young interested and committed individuals worldwide and promotes the exchange of expertise, project ideas, and best practice examples related to wetland protection. For the application, an annual report on service delivery as well as proof of payment must be submitted. The project duration is limited to 48 months, with a funding rate of 100%. Applications can be submitted continuously until 31.08.2028. Through this initiative, independent non-profit organizations are empowered to create a central hub for knowledge transfer and collaboration that strengthens international wetland protection in the long term.