The project “Participatory Action Research and Environmental Protection” was rooted in the urgent need to empower communities, particularly youth and marginalized groups, to take an active role in sustainable development. It was centered on the application of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a strategic tool to support environmental protection from the ground up. A critical need behind the project was the empowerment of communities, especially young people, who often lacked the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to engage effectively in decision-making processes related to environmental protection. The objectives of the project were: • to equip participants with an understanding of PAR methodology and its application in environmental protection projects; • to train youth workers and community leaders to use PAR in order to involve young people and marginalized groups in environmental protection efforts; • to train participants to engage communities in co-creating solutions relevant to their specific contexts and challenges; • to strengthen participants’ ability to facilitate inclusive discussions and decision-making processes around sustainable development; • to provide youth workers and community leaders with tools and strategies to lead environmental protection projects that reflect the needs and priorities of their communities.