The annual competition for the best public ecologist has been held in Belarus since 2014.

25 September, Minsk /BELTA/. A competition for the best public ecologist will be held in Belarus starting from 2014. This is stipulated by the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection No. 46 of 26 August 2013, which was officially published today on the National Legal Internet Portal, BELTA reports.

One of the main goals of the competition is to promote knowledge in the field of environmental protection and nature management, as well as to foster environmental culture. Its organisation will contribute to the conservation and restoration of the natural environment, the rational use of natural resources, and the enhancement of the effectiveness of public ecologists' work in environmental protection. Through this competition, best practices of public ecologists will be studied and disseminated.

The functions of organising and conducting the competition are assigned to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, and the regional and Minsk city committees for natural resources and environmental protection.

The competition will be held annually from 1 April to 5 August in two stages. During the first stage (from 1 April to 31 May), the best public ecologists will be identified at the regional (Minsk city) level. The best public ecologists at the national level among those who took first, second, and third places in the first stage will be determined during the second round – from 1 June to 5 August.

When evaluating contestants, the jury will consider their contribution to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus and its territorial bodies in carrying out environmental protection measures, their participation in disseminating environmental information, promoting and educating citizens in careful attitude towards nature, and enhancing their environmental culture.

Winners of the regional stage of the competition will be awarded diplomas, while winners of the national stage will also be recognised with cash prizes (for first place – not less than 15 base units (a base unit is Br100 thousand), for second place – not less than 12 base units, for third place – not less than 10 base units).

Information on the competition and its results will be posted on the official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus. -0-