Training for Eco-Ambassadors: Local Activists – One Step Closer to a Greener Future

On October 10, 13, and 17, 2025, a three-day training for local activists – eco-ambassadors – was held as part of the project “Eco Initiative: Citizens and Local Authorities in Action for Environmental Protection!”

This training marked the first and crucial step in creating a network of local eco-ambassadors, who will serve as a connecting link between citizens and local authorities. The goal is to strengthen civic participation, transparency, and accountability, laying the foundation for a more active and sustainable community.

Through a carefully designed program, participants were trained in:

• Civic advocacy and communication with local authorities
• Understanding and applying local and national environmental policies
• Organizing public actions and informing citizens
• Effectively mediating between community needs and decision-makers

The training was led by an expert, using interactive methods, simulations, and real-life examples, aiming to equip participants with practical knowledge and concrete tools for community action.

Day 1 – Civic Advocacy and Communication with Local Authorities

The first day focused on the basics of civic advocacy and the mechanisms for communicating with local institutions. Participants explored different forms of civic engagement, the role of local authorities, and key environmental laws. Through presentations, discussions, and practical examples, they gained foundational knowledge of the legal framework and mechanisms for influencing decision-making.

Day 2 – National and Local Environmental Policies

On the second day, participants analyzed national and local environmental policies, reviewing the National Environmental Protection Strategy and the Local Environmental Action Plan of Prilep. Through group work and practical analyses, they developed concrete proposals for improving local environmental practices.

Day 3 – Organizing Public Actions and Effective Mediation
The final day was dedicated to the practical application of the knowledge gained. Participants learned how to organize public actions, inform citizens, and mediate effectively between the community and local authorities.

During the discussions, several specific local challenges were identified:

• Dysfunctionality of local/urban communities
• Insufficient civic awareness regarding proper waste disposal and segregation
• Lack of installed bins and green areas for waste collection
• Inaction by municipal inspectors and environmental officers
• Non-compliance with waste management plans by private entities

The training not only equipped participants with knowledge and practical tools but also fostered responsibility, collective energy, and readiness for real change.

The trained eco-ambassadors represent a new core of local environmental activism in Prilep, prepared to initiate and implement projects and initiatives for a greener and more sustainable future. Through collaborative work, they identified local issues and laid the groundwork for open communication with institutions and citizens.

STANICA PET Association has cultivated new eco-leaders who believe that true change begins at the community level. Together, we are building a greener, more transparent, and more active future for all!

*This activity is part of the project “Eco Initiative: Citizens and Local Authorities in Action for Environmental Protection!”, implemented by STANICA PET Associationwithin the sub-granting program of the project “Good Environmental Governance within the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans”, carried out by the Center for Legal Research and Analysis, the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association, and Front 21/42, and financially supported by the European Union.