100 Days: 2024 CCC Program
100 days of school remaining. First 100 days in political office. 100 days between Napoleon’s arrival in Paris from exile in Elba and his final abdication. 100 days of CCC training and fieldwork.
Reaching 100 days of any goal or countdown is a significant milestone, and is celebrated across many fields, cultures, and countries. The CCC is no exception. While you may be familiar with the first three “100s” on the list above, we’re excited to introduce the last one and tell you about our 2024 Caucasus Conservation Corps (CCC) program!
The TCT has completely revamped our CCC training program this year to create a more comprehensive curriculum that combines 50 days of in-depth training with 50 days’ worth of practical work experience. Participants will build and improve the trails while gaining experience as crew leaders for each other and learning about a wide range of environmental topics.
With the ongoing support of the U.S. Forest Service, the CCC has grown tremendously from its first iteration in 2020. The heart of the CCC program in previous years was a trail crew leader training initiative, during which potential local crew leaders spent a month developing their trail-building skills and learning how to lead a trail crew. It was tough, it was intense, but it was also incredibly rewarding. Many graduates of the program spent the remainder of the summer leading volunteer trail crews along the TCT.
The 2024 program is even more comprehensive and runs from May–October. This is the CCC’s first long-term training and exchange initiative and focuses on training a smaller number of people over a longer period of time.
This year’s 11 participants are split into two cohorts—one cohort of Georgians and Armenians, and one cohort of Georgians and Azerbaijanis. Each cohort will work and live together, splitting their time between two countries to gain experience working on trails in different terrains and environments.
The CCC staff, trainers, and participants review packing a backpack, setting up a tent, and taking care of camping gear during orientation in Tbilisi.
One of the program’s goals is to train participants in a variety of skills that will help them gain footholds into environmental careers. The program focuses not only on trail-building and design, but also on English language skills, leadership development, cross-cultural understanding, conservation, and ecotourism. While many of these topics were included in previous years’ curricula, the longer time frame allows trainers to go much more in-depth on each topic, giving participants a deeper understanding of these subjects.
This May, each cohort gathered at the TCT office in Tbilisi for a week of orientation and icebreakers. Participants spent time getting to know each other while reviewing the basics of gear maintenance, camp set-up, hiking nutrition, and Leave No Trace policies.
In true TCT form, though, they had plenty of fun and laughs throughout the week with visits to our friends at the new Tbilisi Zoo and hikes through the Tbilisi Botanical Gardens. We hosted “cultural nights” for participants from each country to teach everyone else a bit about their traditions with presentations, food, song, poetry, and dance. They were certainly evenings to remember!
At the end of Orientation Week, each crew left the comforts of Tbilisi behind and headed out to their first field hitch of the season in Imereti, Georgia, where they will conduct some maintenance on the Imereti–Racha section of the TCT.
From what we’ve seen during orientation week, this summer promises to be full of friendship, language and cultural exchange, and hard trail-building work. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the program has in store!
Meet the 2024 CCC trainers!
Artur
Artur is one of our longest-term trail crew members, and has been involved with the TCT and our partner Trails for Change since 2017. One of the major positive effects of his seven years working on the trails is his ability to fall asleep almost anywhere. (So if you’re having trouble sleeping at night, come out and join a trail crew!)
Gohar
Gohar has been working on the trails in Armenia for the past three years with Trails for Change, and she’s looking forward to hosting her Georgian counterparts in Armenia this season. Gohar is no stranger to Georgia—she spent time there as an Erasmus exchange student when she was younger—and looks forward to spending more time there this summer!
Ninia
Ninia embodies the “whistle while you work” lifestyle, and can often be found singing as she expertly handles a pulaski or spade. She first brought her sunny personality and musical talents to the TCT as a volunteer in Zeskho in 2022, and is excited to train crew leaders this year. If you’re lucky enough to work with Ninia, be prepared for song- and work-filled days under the sun!
Papuna
Papuna had so much fun training last year’s crew leaders (or maybe it was all the gorgeous views during lunch breaks!) that he just couldn’t stay away. He returns to us for a second season of crew leader training and third overall working with the TCT.
Meet the 2024 CCC participants!
Ana
Tsalka, Georgia
Ana spent much of her childhood visiting relatives in Chuberi, a village in Svaneti, which happens to be the starting point of the Upper Svaneti section of the TCT. She is studying Mountain Sustainable Development at the Technical University of Georgia, and hopes to one day open her own business in Chuberi.
Arzu
Baku, Azerbaijan
Arzu studies process automation engineering at Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University. She enjoys dancing, hiking, mountaineering, and visiting abandoned places.
Farida
Baku, Azerbaijan
Farida works as a freelance editor in Baku, Azerbaijan, and is looking forward to spending time away from civilization this summer in the remote areas of the Caucasus. Her favorite spots in the region are Kepaz Mountain and Maralgöl Lake in Azerbaijan.
Giorgi
Zeto Achva, Georgia
Giorgi, who in fact has no relation to the famous Georgian singer Niaz Diasamidze, studies international relations when he’s not in the field. He loves the Tusheti region of Georgia because it is still relatively untouched by the modern world, and he feels most at home in nature.
Hrachik
Artavan, Armenia
Hrachik loves the freedoms the outdoors brings, and he hopes to improve his English abilities this season. He enjoys spending time with friends, and hopes to make several new ones among his CCC crewmates.
Irakli
Kutaisi, Georgia
Irakli enjoys the tranquility, greenness, and fresh air of nature, and is looking forward to spending the summer sleeping in a tent, learning how to construct trails, and hiking.
Irma
Kobuleti-Khutsubani, Georgia
Irma studies environmental management and politics, and enjoys spending time in her hometown and seeing the gorgeous sunsets. She enjoys writing and is looking forward to this summer’s adventures and making new friends.
Luka
Tbilisi, Georgia
Luka is a game designer and 3D artist who is looking forward to spending more time in nature while contributing to the development of his country. He loves spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains, even though he’s allergic to the cold.
Nvard
Meghri, Armenia
Nvard works for Trails for Change and studies law at the European University of Armenia. She enjoys spending time in Arevik National Park in her home country and is excited to explore Georgia and make new friends.
Tigran
Artavan, Armenia
Tigran, like many of his CCC peers, works at Trails for Change. He enjoys spending time in the mountains and forests, and he’s looking forward to improving his English and gaining more experience on the trails this season.
Viktoria
Ashtarak, Armenia
After holding roles as an archaeologist and tour guide, Viktoria now works for Trails for Change. She’s excited to work on and hike the TCT outside of Armenia and is looking forward to seeing the Caucasus Mountains. As a cultural and natural monument enthusiast, she hopes to travel to Svaneti and see the towers and landscape.
