BRAVO BiH

Green policies have evolved over the years and today feature highly on the list of global concerns. Nevertheless, for most youths, this subject may be seen as abstract or one which may not have direct bearing on them. In Western Balkans where issues like air pollution, deforestation or inefficient waste generation are the order of the day, a craving for alternatives is increasing with each passing day. Young people in the region are central actors of that change, and they are adopting European low carbon practices by taking practical actions in the region. 

 

Various European countries have taken advantage of their European Union (EU) membership’s wide absorption of green practices by their governments and populations and cultivated EU climate friendly policies. The only perpetuating factor of this trend for young people of Western Balkans, engaging in these policies is clear minority rather brings Europe closer internally. Let’s see what the best practice policies are and how they are turned into practice for the youth class in this region. 

Renewable Energy and Solar Insert

Within the framework of the Green Deal, the EU has made significant investments in new renewable energy sources, solar energy in particular. In the Western Balkans, youngsters are beginning to utilize these technologies in their contexts. For instance, youth organizations in North Macedonia have worked on projects to install solar panels on public buildings like schools and community centers. These projects not only reduce carbon emissions but also inspire others to embrace renewable energy sources.

Also, in Montenegro, young people have come up with projects to offer low-cost solar panel kits to households enabling them to become electricity self-sufficient. This facilitates energy independence and less use of fossil fuels.

 

Green Ownership’ and Development, the Case of Green Entrepreneurship 

Many young people from the Western Balkan regions now look to build businesses of a different kind which incorporates preservation of the environment. For example, in Serbia, young people come together to engineer a project that converts organic waste into biogas energy. This project tackles the problem of food waste along and also provides energy.

For the implementation of such initiatives the European Union also provides support via the Horizon Europe program directed towards the green innovators. Youth in the region have the opportunity to utilize available mentorship and funding to be able to actualize their dreams. Young eco-entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina for instance are being funded by the EU to develop applications which enable users monitor and manage their electricity and water consumption in real time for efficiency.

 

Eco-Friendly Transportation

Among all the regions of the world, the EU remains the only region where cycling and electric vehicles are being integrated within the transportation system, as well as improved public transport services. In the Western Balkans, youths are taking it upon themselves to rally their respective countries toward similar goals. A cycling club administered by youthful volunteers in Sarajevo has dedicated days where members are encouraged to commute to work by cycling, promoting bikes instead of cars for such commutes.

In Albania, for example, young activists are demanding better provisions for public transport in the country, such as campaigning for the deployment of electric buses in the capital city-Tirana. Such sculptures have been mostly sponsored by the EU because they reduce pollution and enhance the living environment.

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling

In Europe, throwing waste away is not the solution; recycling has become second nature in which various countries have developed remarkable waste management systems. However, going back to Western Balkans, waste or more specifically recycling is a challenge even the infrastructure for it is not there. But the youth is taking the initiative to do something about it. In Kosovo, for instance, youth led activities have helped clean the surroundings of neighborhoods as well as educating the importance of separation of waste to the community.

 

Tree Planting and Urban Green Spaces 

Another EU priority is enhancing urban green areas and planting trees to fight climate change. Youth organizations are now at the forefront of such urban greening projects in the Western Balkans. A youth group in Skopje caused noise in public because of its initiative to plant trees in places with immense pollution such as parks and along highly vehicular roads to decrease the levels of air-contamination. Such practices enhance the ecology of the city and also create valuable green belts where people can relax and enjoy themselves.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, young volunteers engaged in the rehabilitation of deforested areas including those affected by wildfire. Such projects assisted by the EU environmental fund focus towards the restoration of marine and coastal resources as well as enhancing the region’s environmental assets.

 

Conclusion: 

Finishing Off The Green Transition Bottleneck Although the regions of Western Balkans are undertook, the improvement of the climate is caused by the efforts of young people. The young generation is sweetening the impact of this method at the community level by assimilating the European green Acquire. Young people in the region have stepped up efforts to promote change by engaging in renewable energy and green businesses, recycling and promoting alternative means of transport among many others.

As they continue to learn from the EU’s best practices, young people in the Western Balkans are speeding up the green transition, not only benefiting their environment but also paving the way for future generations to thrive in a sustainable world.

 

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project “Engage, connect and empower youth for a sustainable green future” is focused on two European Youth Goals: quality learning and sustainable green Europe. It aims at implementing a creative strategy in terms of capacity building for the new generation actually
facing the problems of tomorrow related to environment degradation, climate change, and sustainability issues.

The target group of the project is youth trainers/workers, organizations, young activists in Albania, local/national authorities, and citizens of Albania and Europe. The project will focus in bringing the EU practices and translate them into tangible tools for youth in Western Balkan in order to fast forward the green transition. The core of the project, capacity building, will be achieved through a critical number of activities, such as ToT, Youth exchanges, toolkits and manuals. These activities will spill over throughout non-formal learning providers
benefitting staff, youth, and key stakeholders in the process.


Overall, with this project Build Green Group will promote and improve capacity building for youth in important areas such as climate change awareness, environment digitalization, environmental justice, innovation & research, contribution to SDGs, and creation of fruitful
partnerships. The topic addressed and activities designed to make the project have a local, national, and EU impact, specifically in bringing EU practices in WB.

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