Young people deserve global recognition for their environmental work at a local level. Each year the partnership between UNEP and Volvo, supported by UNESCO and the World Scout Organisation does this. The Volvo Adventure recognises and commends many projects run and organised by young people around the world. Over 400 completed entries were received from over 45 countries. This resulted in 12 teams invited to the final last June.

We are pleased to announce the winners but ask you to visit the web site to see all the spectacular projects from the final, and those that have been commended as being great examples of practical actions organised and developed by young people around the world. The Volvo Adventure's top three projects of 2011 prove how effective young people are in finding simple solutions to global issues. Just look at the top three projects:

First prize - Paraguay: When an outbreak of a disease claimed many lives, this group of young people launched a campaign to stop the source of the infection. This team showed that lives can be saved by simple actions, by preventing the breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit infection from open water storages and solid waste. Within five months they managed to reduce the breeding sites significantly and saved lives.

Second Prize - Brazil: By educating farmers through creative means regarding the safe handling and disposal of pesticides and their containers, this dedicated group has reduced the negative effects on human health and the environment. This project can serve as inspiration for other farmers in making them aware of these issues.

Third prize - USA: In spite of a lack of federal regulation and support, this team has persisted in educating people on the importance of proper disposal of medication, avoiding contamination of water and providing communities with drop-off containers.

Click on the link http://www.volvoadventure.org/projectsFinalists.aspx?year=2012 to find out more about these brilliant projects.

Currently the Volvo Adventure is searching for the next crop of projects to show how young people are dealing with global issues and ensuring they inherit their own solutions. The aim is to provide a gallery of the best practice projects to be part of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and enable UN agencies to have contact with those practical-minded young decision-makers, the movers and shakers of tomorrow. To take part is easy - just go to www.volvoadventure.org and register your projects.