About us

Panama is home to some of the poorest communities and richest ecosystems in the world.  Without environmentally sustainable development initiatives, the balance between environmental conservation and exploitation leans dangerously in favor of the latter.  Environmental degradation also negatively affects the health of our own species.  Unfortunately, occurrences such as improper waste management, water and air pollution, a lack of environmental education, and a 66% of global forest cover loss occurring in Latin America affect rural and impoverished communities most directly. HOWEVER,  several efforts to change this are happening right now. Find out how to start an Environmental Brigade by contacting michelle@globalbrigades.org .  For questions regarding projects in Panama, please contact anna@globalbrigades.org.

 

What is Global Environmental Brigades (GEB)?

 

Global Environmental Brigades is a secular, socially conscious network of volunteers that travel to developing countries to mitigate ecological degradation and develop sustainable environmental practices and educational curriculum. GEB is currently working in Central America, in the world’s most biodiverse regions, also home to some of the world’s most economically impoverished communities. The organization empowers college students with an educational and hands-on experience abroad to develop strategic environmental solutions in cooperation with local communities and organizations.

 

 

• 3 Key Principles
• 1. Eco-system services such as water-purifying mangroves and carbon-absorbing rainforests, are invaluable resources that sustain all life forms and are an irreplaceable platform for human development and longevity. Environmental Brigades works to support life-sustaining ecosystem services by preserving natural systems, protecting biodiversity, and recuperating degraded environments.
  
  2. Human health and development challenges, such as epidemics and poverty, that arise out of the mismanagement or indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources must be addressed through environmentally-sustainable strategies. Environmental Brigades support medical, dental, water, law, architecture and business brigades to develop solutions that also protect natural resources.
  
  3. Local communities and organizations are central players in Brigade efforts to promote environmental health. Environmental Brigades works alongside community members and networks with Central American organizations to promote environmentally sustainable practices that are culturally appropriate, community-based and participatory.  GEB continuously strives to insure the sustainability and holistic nature of our programming. 
  

 

GEB provides sustainable solutions by providing:

 

1. Direct Capital Investment In The Community (Community Investment Fund):  As part of the GEB cost, each brigader will contribute a portion of their fees towards direct capital investment of the community where their project is located.  This money will be used as the Brigade Team sees fit to provide materials and tools that each community can use as an investment toward long-term sustainable environmental solutions.  The Brigade team itself is the deciding body on how this capital is spent in order to maximize project sustainability.
2. Human Resource Capital:  Each Brigade will include at least 10-15 students who will engage a community, create an intercultural dialogue, and collaborate to provide the best sustainable solutions possible.  Often times, brigaders walk away from these experiences learning much more than taught or built and gaining a valuable and eye-opening experience.
3. Global Brigades Is Not a One Time Hand Out.  Often times, if a Brigade believes it is necessary, they can pursue 1-2 follow up brigades to ensure the execution of their sustainable development solutions. Global Brigades staff along with our partner organizations also continue to monitor the success of each brigade to ensure long term sustainability.

 

Who Joins a GEB Team?

 

Mainly undergraduate and graduate students from varied academic disciplines who are interested in environmental conservation and education, sustainable development, and health relief.  Due to the variety of projects that GEB undertakes, diverse brigade groups consisting of an array of backgrounds and abilities are welcome!

 

These students are encouraged to form a GEB club at their university to plan week long trips to Panama to participate in environmental empowerment projects accompanied by advisors and/or local contacts.

 

Where is GEB?

 

Currently, GEB projects are being planned in local and rural Panamanian communities including provinces such as Veraguas and Comarca San Blas.  Thus far, successful brigades have been implemented in the Darien province of Panama.  For more information, contact Michelle Menclowicz.

 

michelle@globalbrigades.org

 

Leadership Team

 

Anna Pasternak, Environmental Brigades Director, Panama

Michelle Menclewicz  , USA Director, Student Advisory Counsel