Winners

In 2018, Križevci inaugurated a fully crowdfunded solar power plant. Located on the roof of the business center, it has a capacity of 30 kilowatts and is expected to save around 11 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The solar energy it produces is used to power the business center, and the surplus is fed into the grid. What is special about this project is that we included our citizens who were investors by giving loans for a period of 10 years within which they will get the deposit with an interest rate of 4.5% back from the income generated by the electricity production of the solar power plant on the roof. [. . .]
GO2_Sustainable Urban Planning Organization
Shkoder, Albania

Rehabilitation of sand dunes in the Buna River-Velipoje

The project goal is the rehabilitation of sand dunes in Buna River Estuary, Velipoje, Shkoder, through the planting of 0.8 ha of indigenous plants - which is proposed as the most sustainable and natural solution to prevent coastal erosion. For this purpose, a typical first line dune plant the "Ammophila Arenaria L." or marram grass is planted (6000 reeds) by the local community applying the layering method. It strengthens the vegetative belt, mitigates the impact of coastal erosion and contributes to the stability of the sand dunes. [. . .]
The project promotes “climate literacy” among Central European youth and provides educational resources about climate change mitigation through non-formal approaches. [. . .]
Our goal is to research and learn how to grow insects for food and animal feed on a large scale, to turn them into products for farmers, food and feed-producers and integrate local farmers to decentralize the market. With this project we are introducing a new and sustainable agricultural segment in the Western Balkans and initiating a public discourse on the future of food production and consumption that contributes to the health of our environment. [. . .]
The social cooperative Humana Nova is a non-profit eco-social enterprise engaged in the management of textile waste and the production and sale of high-quality innovative textile products made from recycled and new ecological materials in domestic and foreign markets. It encourages the employment of people with disabilities and other marginalized groups and invests all its profits in business development, new jobs, and community development. [. . .]
NAGE is implemented by a consortium of rural networks in WB countries within the Balkan Rural Development Network. The project reflects the BRDN development goals and strengthens the positioning of the network in the region. It encourages grassroots involvement in public decision-making and reform processes as well as networking and advocacy to introduce the concept of green economy, by offering evidence-based policy solutions. The Rural Development Network of North Macedonia was lead partner whilst the Network for Rural Development of Montenegro was one of the project partners. [. . .]
The project is a colorful combination of large-scale green investments in 33 school buildings and innovative educational tools in the field of decarbonization for children and the yout (such as: art &culture through 50-minute theatre play and e-quizzes, both on EEtopics, smart IC energy-management technology and education, large energy-saving school competition). In addition, dynamic and diverse public communication activities increase the public awareness and knowledge on a wide range of win-win socio-economic solutions and benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. [. . .]

other competitors

This project effectively shows how reducing paper use in the education of students at a pilot university (Independent University of Banja Luka-NUBL) reduces urban and rural pollution (less waste paper on the street, landfills, and less black carbon), increases the social responsibility of students and teachers (education and positive practice of project activities), and reduces the negative impact of climate change (reduced felling of coniferous wood used in paper production) [. . .]
Living streets is a real-life experiment whereby residents can temporarily transform streets into the sustainable place they have always dreamed of. It allows residents to find alternatives that transform public space and strengthen community dynamics. Amongst others, project activities included the realization of the first PARKLET in Croatia, an improvised green area that extends from the sidewalk to the pavement by occupying a few parking spaces and turning them into a ''green'' public space for people. [. . .]
Think Nature! is a three-year project and is implemented throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main objective of the project is to increase the influence of civil society on environmental protection, thereby contributing to better environmental protection and enhanced resilience to environmental impacts and climate change in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, the implementation of international regulations regarding the environment, climate and energy imposed by the EU and international agreements, will be improved. [. . .]
The outdoor classroom, that consists of benches and concrete tables (for longer durability), caused real enthusiasm among the children. We painted the benches and tables in natural colors to fit the ambience. As part of this project, we also made a mobile writing board and boards with environmental messages, and planted ornamental shrubs and trees (over 200 pieces) around the classroom. The eco classroom consists of two rows of benches, in each row there are 4 table-benches at which 3 students will be able to sit and one table-bench for the professor (a total of 9 tables and 9 benches for sitting). [. . .]
We want to solve the problem of waste in our local community in a quality way. We are a small local NGO. We follow the rule "Act locally and think globally" In the earlier period, we cleaned our rivers, cleaned our rivers, removed several illegal dumps and found a company that regularly collects waste (weekly). This spring, we organized trainings, such as a practical training in mushroom production and the production of compost in our local communities. We used organic waste (grass, sawdust, leaves, straw) for the production of mushrooms and compost. This way, we achieved positive changes in our local community. After the completion of our project, the amount of solid waste was reduced. In addition, significant production of mushrooms and compost (organic fertilizer) was achieved. [. . .]
The main focus of this project was creating a sport and recreational (healthy) zone for all citizens of Jablanica Municipality and all tourist visiting this area. We created a rock-climbing crag with accessible routes and beautiful viewpoints, so that even those visitors that do not want to participate in climbing can enjoy the beautiful views and clean fresh air.accessible routes and beautiful viewpoints, so that even those visitors that do not want to participate in climbing can enjoy the beautiful views and clean fresh air. [. . .]
By submitting the White Plan to the municipal councils of Kurbin and Tirana during the project "Mobilizing Youth for local Climate Action and Resilience", we have taken the first steps in mobilizing youth groups for climate advocacy at the local level. These mobilized groups from selected communities will continue to conduct climate emergency actions for and monitor local decision-making on the implementation of concrete climate adaptation measures. [. . .]
The goal of the project is to create a partnership between fishermen from the northern Adriatic area and scientists in order to revise the close season of certain commercially important fish and crustacean species and collect catch data to record the presence of invasive and thermophilic fish and crustaceans. Given the geographical position of our region, this is valuable data that will contribute to a sustainable management of marine resources. Educational workshops and various promotional activities will raise the awareness of the public and target groups such as fishermen regarding the ubiquitous changes in the sea, teach them how to adapt and what can be done to mitigate them. [. . .]
With the project “Plant a tree, don't be a stump!” the City of Poreč-Parenzo organized a collective planting of trees to contribute to the protection of the environment and to the formation of the right attitude towards the consequences of harmful human activities on the environment and forests according to the principles of sustainable development. [. . .]
The implementation of the project took three years (2017-2021). It was implemented in the area of the protected landscape Konjuh, including the municipalities: Banovići, Kladanj, Živinice. Aim of the project was to support all interested stakeholders (public institutions, citizens, civil society organizations to contribute to: • the implementation of a cross-institutional, participative and cross-sectoral management plan for the protected landscape Konjuh, as well as • the protection and promotion of the environment and the touristic, cultural and historical potentials of the protected landscape Konjuh. [. . .]
Sara Smolo
Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Obnovimo Bent

Kakanj is known for volleyball and basketball, but interestingly it does not have any functional courts. There is a place called Bent where a couple of years ago functional courts existed. Since young people feel a great need for them, I implemented a project called 'Obnovimo Bent' for which I got financial support. The project started May 14th and 23 people participated. We cleaned the place, collected trash and restored the place. This is just the beginning of a big project. [. . .]
The project aimed at improving the conditions of the summer stalls in the alpine pastures of the Shebenik National Park by equipping them with photovoltaics, internet and improving the hygienic toilet conditions. In addition, this project included the construction of two drinking water troughs for the livestock. Alpine Pastures, significantly declined in the last years and as a result the pasture area has been invaded by shrubs and other plants as the grazing was too low. The decline in the number of livestock was a result of a lack of support for shepherds and a lack of investment in pastures. [. . .]
The project SubBIOCODE aims at improving the knowledge and methodology for the assessment of the subterranean biodiversity in Southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at transferring this know-how to the local community and decision makers. With education and promotion activities we addressed local scientists, students and the community in general, raised awareness and opened access to the usage of knowledge on subterranean biodiversity for a better protection of subterranean habitats in the region. [. . .]
The grass root NGO Brod Ecological Society-BED is present as a co-manager on the Gajna common and protected grassland since 1989 with a focus on nature protection, sustainable practices and empowerment of citizens. A successful EU funded project from 2007-2009 turned into the special multi-year program. (2009-2022) With its own example as a breeder and complete network of support to the local community from 2007 until today (2022) BED fights the laws and the subsidy system which are not aligned with a governance that ensures sustainability and nature protection. The program runs independently of projects. [. . .]
The forest ecosystem represents one of the greatest natural wealth’s and therefore has a big significance for the individual. Forests provide the possibility to produce a large amount of oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which is why they are often called air filters. They also prevent erosion, torrents, pollution, and water disappearance, and are considered the best and cheapest filter of drinking water. Based on the above facts about the importance of forests, solving the problem of illegal logging with the involvement of all citizens is of great importance. The Law on Nature Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina defines that every citizen has the right to actively participate in nature protection, as well as to be informed about all activities that take place. The goal of this project is to work with the help of citizens to reduce and prevent the occurrence of illegal activities in forestry with a focus on illegal logging. The goal of the project was to determine the manner of data collecting on illegal logging and achieve a more transparent and complete publication of information in official reports of cantonal administrations. Within the project, a mobile app has been designed to anonymously report illegal activities in forestry to encourage the development of environmental awareness and foster concrete actions to protect natural resources and forests in two pilot areas - Sarajevo Canton and Zenica-Doboj Canton. [. . .]
The Municipality of Kakanj collects EUR 2.5 - 3 million per year through the collection of funds from air pollution and other permanent degradations. However, the spending program does not meet the community's need in terms of sustainable management and environmental protection. The key issue addressed by the project was to improve the responsibility and efficiency of the local government in creating environmental policies and addressing actual needs in the field of environmental protection. [. . .]
The overall goal of the project is to improve the ecological, sanitary and aesthetic character of the City Park „Betanija”. The specific goal of the project is to increase the satisfaction of the citizens of the local community (hereinafter LC) Betanija-Šip (Municipality Centar) through and improved status of the City Park "Betanija". This project aims to improve the existing condition of unused or insufficiently used green areas of the City Park "Betanija". Young people from primary schools in the municipality Centar participate in afforestation activities, and other members of LC Betanija-Šip and the entire Centar municipality are also involved through surveys and educational activities. In addition to improving the current condition of the park, the project raises awareness for the importance of urban greenery in times of climate change and the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, an innovative approach will create a synergy between nature and the increasingly popular digitization by developing a unique digital map of the city park, which is accessible via a QR-code posted on info boards throughout the park. [. . .]
Mycobiota in Bosnia and Herzegovina in general is still poorly studied, while fungal diversity in mountainous lakes is completely unknown. These lakes often represent remote and isolated habitats with harsh weather conditions and pronounce subalpine to alpine climate. In these extreme habitat types, some of the highly endangered and rare fungal species might occur. The aim of this project is therefore to record and identify fungi inhabiting some of the most important glacial and mountainous lakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop a preliminary checklist. Mountains cover large areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina´s territory. With a mean altitude of 625 meters a.s.l. it is one of the highest countries in Southeastern Europe. Most of its mountains belong to the Dinaric Alps that stretch in the northwest-southeast direction through several countries. These mountains are built from different geological components and are home to scattered and various types of freshwater ecosystems many of which are well preserved and isolated primarily thanks to their remoteness and unapproachability. The alpine mycobiota of Southeast Europe is poorly understood in general. A significant number of mountainous lakes exists, which mainly originated from glacial activity in the high mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose mycobiota is still completely unexplored. Therefore, these specific habitat types could be one of the last well-preserved alpine reservoirs for some extremely rare stenovalent fungal species. [. . .]
Our goal is to turn the beautiful area "Three Peaks" (Martinski Vis, Smolin and Veliki Vis) into a protected nature park and prospective tourist destination. It would cross two entity borders and benefit the citizens of both entities by creating jobs fostering the inter-entity cooperation and creating recreative opportunities like huts for hikers, bike paths, walks and more. [. . .]
Developing a Sustainable urban mobility plan for the UNESCO MAB area of the Julian Alps by using a bottom up process to apply contemporary and tailored mobility measures as an answer to growing pressures from tourism while trying to follow synergies for the inhabitants [. . .]
Protect the environment, collect vouchers! Every activity helping the environment, recorded and sent to our e-mail, will be evaluated and rewarded with „my eco vouchers" (1 „my eco voucher" worth 1 BAM) which can be used in designated pastry shops and cafes. Along with a short description, the received material will be published on the Facebook page together with other educational content to raise awareness and encourage individuals and groups to take measures for the protection of the environment. [. . .]
Since 2008 our organic agricultural household is located, where the Bosnian queen Katarina Kosača Kotromanić had the best grapes in her vineyards, now called Vinogradi in Kakanj town. We manage it respecting organic sustainable agricultural principles by maintaining an ecological balance and using natural resources. The long-term project is to set up a biorefinery which will serve our local society by transforming its waste into high quality fertilizer, reducing littering, mineral fertilizer manufacturing and pollution, in general. [. . .]
The Qarkon Platform aims to create more knowledge and engagement for a circular economy and renewable energies. It includes the scientific contribution of the researchers from the Albanian diaspora resuting from the implementation of their research-based solutions. [. . .]
The eco library of toys operates on a voluntary basis and offers free membership for children who can donate and borrow toys. The first one of this kind in Croatia opened in Knin and today it is in 7 towns. It contributes to saving money and resources, to raising awareness of environmental protection and sustainable waste management and encourages re-use. The realization of this project is an innovative approach because with the support of institutions and associations it spreads to the organized collection and distribution of toys, books, clothing and others. [. . .]
The “Urban gardens Gregovica” project is located in the city of Pula, on a piece of city-owned land (total 6000m2) subdivided into 89 plots of about 50m2 each and 1 social garden of 1500m2. The plots are intended for the cultivation of plants and to be used by citizens that don’t own a garden. The gardens are equipped with gardening tools and water infrastructure. The social garden is intended to be used by an NGO which has the task to cultivate vegetables and organize lectures about sustainable gardening. [. . .]
The PLANTida festival was initiated last summer (2021). We have the long-term vision to create a legendary two-day eco-festival, a yearly event for the community, where we only ask for a sustainable behavior during the event and in general, in return. So, PLANTida is a kind of incentive, a call to action to the local community regarding ecological responsibility. Everyone is welcome, there's no specific target group but no plastic is allowed. [. . .]
Developing the preconditions for sustainable dry grassland management and the recognition of the Dinaric region´s nature as a relevant factor in the quality of life of the local population. [. . .]
Our team of professionals and volunteers develops new and adapts the best available international climate change education tools. We bring them to the Croatian formal and informal learning environments with the aim of inciting climate action manifested as concrete, compassionate and urgent changes of lifestyles, public policy choices and career choices. We unite educators from across Croatia to share their expertise and experience relevant to climate action with students and teachers. [. . .]
“On the sunny side” is a support service for citizens, namely homeowners, interested in installing a PV system for self-consumption. The service offers citizens professional support every step of the way to the realization of a small solar power plant, in collaboration with contractors. local partners - proven Croatian equipment manufacturers, installers and project designers. Citizens leave their contact information on the official project website and the cooperative´s team of experts contacts interested citizens (via mail or the “Sunny telephone”) within 24 hours to check the conditions and profitability of the PV system, referring them to the procedure for access to joint procurement and professional support in the realization of a small solar power plant. The support includes complete coordination of the collection of the necessary documentation, creation of a project solution, obtaining permits, and procuring quality equipment and installation, in cooperation with verified system contractors. [. . .]
Climate Talks is a 30-minute radio show that airs every other Sunday on Yammat.fm (102.5 FM) and is published on an online podcast / audio platform, mixcloud. It is the first thematic radio show about people and climate in Croatia. The show brings together local and international experts and practitioners to share their experience and knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change, the impact of climate on our daily lives, good practices and solutions, and important events related to climate. The goal of the show is to inform and educate citizens about aspects of climate change and their role in it, but also to popularize the science, to raise awareness of the urgency of action and help needed to reduce the effects of climate change.The show brings together local and international experts and practitioners to share their experience and knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change, the impact of climate on our daily lives, good practices and solutions, and important events related to climate. The goal of the show is to inform and educate citizens about aspects of climate change and their role in it, but also to popularize the science, to raise awareness of the urgency of action and help needed to reduce the effects of climate change. [. . .]
The goal of our project is to write a compact and practical manual for youth organizations, in which we provide concrete suggestions on how to make specific parts of typical daily operations more sustainable. The handbook focuses on specific topics - energy, transport, water, waste, and food. Each chapter begins with an overview of the current situation supported by facts and figures, followed by suggestions for actions to be taken. The manual ends with a chapter on the sustainable organization of events. [. . .]
Our overall objective is to empower civil society in the Montenegro to influence the EU approximation process by increasing public participation in climate change decision-making. Project partners will actively participate in participate in consultation processes related to policy design, development and implementation of the climate change regulatory framework. During these months of project implementation, project partners, in cooperation with wider network of CSOs in Montenegro, will take an active role in the process of preparation and adoption of several important documents in the field of climate change, such as the law on climate protection, the Third National Communication to UNFCCC and the national strategy for low carbon emissions. This will be accomplished by developing comments and recommendations for the drafting and improvement of these documents, and by participating in the public hearing process for the adoption and finalization of these documents. Through the organization of a consultative stakeholder meeting and a climate change conference, the civil sector will broaden and deepen the dialogue with 2/5 national and local governments and other national stakeholders on the establishment of a legal framework to further align with the EU climate change legislation. This overall objective will be additionally achieved through public campaigns on climate change carried out by partner NGOs and through the engagement of NGOs in policy dialogue. Finally, we plan to achieve this overall objective and improve the environment for civil activism and state-civil society dialogue at national levels by engaging NGOs into dialogue with other national stakeholders like business associations, experts and the media. [. . .]
The proposed project contributes to strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations in the fields of environment and climate change, enhancing their role as competent, transparent, effective and accountable civil society actors, and improving interaction with state/public institutions in order to contribute to EU-related policy-making in these sectors, in the North of Albania in the prefectures of Shkodra and Lezha and in the prefecture of Berat in the South of Albania. On the one hand, the activities are focused on increasing the involvement of civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders with expertise in the fields of environment and climate change, in the process of planning acquis transposition, policy change and institutional restructuring. This will be achieved, through trainings for CSOs on networking and advocacy in the fields of environment and climate change, capacity building in public institutions on democracy and participatory processes, consultation tables between public institutions and CSOs on environmental and climate change policies. In addition, public institutions will be supported in the preparation of national regulations based on the new law on civil protection. On the other hand, the activities will help to improve the interaction and dialogue between CSOs and other relevant stakeholders in the context of accession negotiations, as well as their capacity to monitor the process of the European integration process through participation in the ‘European Integration Platform of Partnership’. For this purpose various activities are planned, such as capacity building for public institutions and CSOs regarding the implementation of the EU environmental and climate change acquis, awareness campaigns for citizens regarding climate change and disaster risk reduction, pilot actions in rural areas on climate vulnerability and capacity assessment, disaster risk reduction and participatory climate change adaptation to disseminate information, raise awareness among local actors and the general public, train and mobilize local grass roots organizations and advocate on environment and climate change. [. . .]