Young people can and want to be part of activities to improve the environment

On 7 October 2024, the Civica Mobilitas team organised the second meeting between grantees and HE Veronik Hulman, the Swiss Ambassador. The meeting presented supported projects in the field of environment and climate change, and the aim was, in addition to getting to know each other better, to encourage discussion about the challenges faced by organisations during implementation and to see opportunities for synergy between them and other projects supported by the Swiss Government.

„There needs to be greater awareness among politicians about environmental issues“, emphasised Ambassador Hulman, while Karmeni Tenissen, Deputy Director of the Global Food Security Programme at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), pointed out that civil society organisations should focus on changing mentalities and monitoring policy implementation where it exists.

Representatives of civil society organisations reported on ongoing activities that include innovations for green social work, composting and bio-waste collection processes, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in municipalities, etc. Some of them stressed that climate change needs to be talked about and worked on more at the local level, but that the limitations of municipal budgets and human resources, especially in small municipalities, must be taken into account.

Ambassador Hulman encouraged thinking about establishing an environmental platform at the national level. She was interested in the involvement of young people in activities on this topic, especially considering that their apathy is often discussed. Those present agreed that young people should be key actors in change. “No matter how unmotivated they may seem, if you find the right approach, they participate,” said Irina Glavinchevska from the Scout Poreche Troop KRSTE JON from Struga, adding that it is important to show young people that their voice is heard and valued. Similar experiences were shared by Nikola Neshkoski from Eco Logic. According to him, the problem is that children’s education is mainly based on theory and little on practice, while on the other hand, they participate much more and learn from practice. „When young people are given recognition, they want to continue and be active,” he said.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Centre for Youth Activism Krik, the Centre for Social Initiatives „Hope“, the Centre for Climate Change – Gevgelija, Eco-Green Movement-Berovo, Scout Poreche Troop KRSTE JON – Struga, the Regional Environmental Centre (REC), Eco Logic and the Regional Green Centre Ohrid.