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International Young Naturefriends
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

International Young Naturefriends (international abbreviation: IYNF, for German: Naturfreundejugend International) is an international organisation bringing together Young Naturefriends and their organisations across Europe. It was established in 1975 and currently has 19 member organisations. There are more than 120,000 young members organised in over a thousand local groups making it one of the major European youth organisations. IYNF is the youth focused sub organisation of Friends of Nature International, a European based movement that works on increasing and promoting accessibility to nature by providing accessible travel and recreational facilities, promoting sustainable tourism and sustainable behaviours in nature. IYNF aims to create opportunities for young people to live the values of respect, solidarity, sustainability, equality, and love and care for nature. By providing support and creating links, meetings, and nature-friendly activities all over Europe, they facilitate cooperation amongst a network of groups and organisations. They are also involved in training and exchanges by organising value-driven youth exchanges and capacity building activities for the benefit of its members.

Examples include:
 * capacity building activities for youth workers and facilitators of youth exchanges
 * international youth exchanges
 * content and methodical publications
 * continuous information flow with targeted media channels
 * representation and promotion at the European level
 * finding partners for networking projects
 * mentoring and support for networking project
 * software for contact, knowledge and project management
 * space for development of common projects

IYNF also represents its members at the European level through delegations, publications, and promotional activities which are aimed at the European public.

Partner Organisations

 * Greece, Greek Young Nature Friends, http://grynf.blogspot.gr/
 * Kosovo, Era Direct
 * Poland, Fundacja Centrum Aktywnosci Tworczej, http://fundacja-cat.pl/
 * Portugal, Rota jovem, http://www.rotajovem.com
 * Serbia, JUMP, http://www.jumporg.com/
 * Slovakia, Outdoor Institute, http://www.outdoor-institute.sk/
 * Slovakia, Strom Zivota, http://stromzivota.sk/

Member Organisations

 * Austria, Naturfreundejugend Osterrichs, http://www.naturfreundejugend.at
 * Belgium, ATB De Natuurvrienden, http://www.denatuurvrienden.be/
 * Czech Republic, DUHA CZ, http://www.duha.cz/
 * Denmark, Landsforeningen Natur & Fritid Danmark, http://www.naturefriends.dk
 * Finland, Tyovaen Retkeilyliitto ry, http://www.tyovaenretkeilyliitto.com
 * France, Les Amis de la Nature Federation Francaise, http://www.amis-nature.org/
 * Germany, Naturfreundejugend Deutchlands, http://naturfreundejugend.de
 * Great Britain, Great Britain Friends of Nature
 * Hungary, Termeszetjaro Fiatalok Szovetsege, http://www.tfsz.hu
 * Italy, Gruppo Italiano Amici della Natura GI.A.N, http://www.amicidelanatura.it
 * Macedonia, Sovet za preventiva protiv Maloletnicka Delikvencija, http://sppmd.org.mk
 * Netherlands, Nivon Jong, www.NivonJong.nl
 * Poland, PTTK- Polskie Towarzystwo Turzystyczno-Krajnawcze, http://pttk.pl
 * Slovenia, Mladi Zeleni, http://www.mss.si
 * Sweden, Naturvännernas Internationella Turistförening i Sverige
 * Switzerland, Naturfreunde Scweiz Natufreundjugend Scweiz, http://www.naturfreunde.chv

Background
It is a non-profit organisation which aims to promote international friendship and understanding and values of sustainability, love and care for nature, democracy, active participation, tolerance and respect.

In 1958, the first international activity of young Naturefriends took place. In 1975 youth representatives from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands broke away from their parent organisation, Naturefriends International, to officially form the NGO, International Young Naturefriends as it stands today.

In the 1980s, IYNF was a member of the [|International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)] and the [|International Falcon Movement- Socialist Educational International] (IFM-SEI). Also the organisation was a member of the Kinder Internationale, the only pan-European Youth cooperation with the Soviet Union (NFJI/ IFM/ [|Scouts]/ and [|Pioneers]).

During the 90’s, the organisation focused on the core themes of racism, poverty and ecological disasters and moved to be a less political organisation. The organisation saw much success in incorporating Central and Eastern European groups into their reach after the fall of the [|Iron Curtain], much of which can be attributed to IYNF being a politically neutral group.

Today, the International Young Naturefriends (IYNF), is based in [|Prague] as an umbrella organisation to network and support youth work in the Naturefriends movement. The International Young Naturefriends was originally supported by the [|Council of Europe's] Directorate of Youth and Sport. In the [|European Youth Forum], International Young Naturefriends belongs to the socialist family or the family of [|non-formal education] organisations. In 2005, IYNF gained its own official legal status with an official seat in Vienna. It also attained its own Statutes, IYNF Presidium and Secretary General which are the ultimate representatives of IYNF as a legal entity. The official name of IYNF is Naturfreundejugend Internationale.

Decision Making Structure
General Assembly meets every two years. It consists of representatives of member and partner organisations, representatives of NFI and Presidium members. They decide on a two year working strategy for IYNF, political and practical issues, future activities and the involvement of IYNF on various issues. It also elects the IYNF Presidium for the next General Assembly period. The Council meets once or twice a year, deciding on short-term technical and practical issues, examines the work of the Presidium, and gives immediate directions to the Presidium and staff. Their main responsibility is to connect the budget to the annual state of accounts. The Presidium is the main ruling body of IYNF. It is elected for two years and consists of up to 5 elected volunteers along with the Secretary General whom does not share voting power. The Presidium appoints the Secretary General who then is responsible for the recruitment of other staff members, their development and evaluation.

Working Structure
The Secretariat provides information, advice, administrational back-up, resources, communication channels and meeting opportunities for IYNF's volunteers, member organisations and partners to support them with their activities and efforts to fulfill IYNF's mission.

Volunteers are involved in tasks connected with implementation of the IYNF working program. The volunteers come together in several teams according to the project, or thematic field (e.g. European Representation). The teams are self-coordinated and supported by the Secretariat.

Values
IYNF divides its fundamental values into three color groups.

Red stands for values of [|solidarity], [|justice], [|democracy], [|peace] and [|internationalism]. It links back to democratic socialism and the roots of the Naturefriends in the working class movement. Green stands for values of love and care for nature, direct environmental experience, sustainability and environmental education. Blue stands for youth participation, personal development, non-formal and experiential education.

Topics of the Year
2013 was declared as IYNF’s Year of Action for Change. In that theme the organization hosted various activities including “Empowerment, Inspiration, and Action in Youth Organizations,” youth worker and activist training course, “Empower, Educate, Enable- Sustainability in Action,” training course, and “Youth Encountering Environmental Human Rights,” study session.

2012 marked IYNF’s Year of Sustainability. The organization followed that theme with hosting activities such as “Green Joker,” eco lifestyle youth exchange, and the ”Hands On- International Work Camp.” This was paired along with an informational campaign about sustainability and producing the Green Toolbox publication - a manual to sustainable organizational management. Also in accordance with this goal, they added many new sustainability practices in the running of the organization which included paying greater attention to choosing sustainable venues, food and transport options for activities as well as reducing the negative impact of running the IYNF office.

Publications

 * Green Toolbox, is a comprehensive guidebook promoting sustainable personal and work practices. The book aims to broaden the appeal and reach of environmental sustainability by drawing links to social justice, ecological health, and economic vitality.
 * Cooking for Groups, a downloadable guide to cooking for large groups with tips for sustainable shopping and eating.
 * International Youth Handbook, a manual for young naturefriends - organizers of (not only) international teencamps, youth exchanges, workcamps and seminars.
 * Attractive Youth Work: A Guide to Making Things Happen! Handbook with insights and tools that you can apply to improve attractiveness of your organisation.
 * Education and Learning Through Outdoor Activities, an extensive collection of games and problem solving activities, outdoor exercises and rope courses for youth programmes.