Hasan Kikić Elementary School in Gračanica has officially become the first public institution in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve prosumer status, setting a precedent for other educational institutions and reinforcing the broader vision of the Sunny Schools Initiative to scale community-driven renewable energy efforts., marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition to sustainable energy.

The school’s photovoltaic power plant was installed in September 2023 as part of the Just Green Transition Program of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, implemented across the Western Balkans region. This initiative aims to equip educational institutions with solar power systems, reducing their environmental footprint and generating long-term energy savings.

So far, 11 schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina have joined the program:

• Klokotnica Elementary (Klokotnica)
• Hasan Kikić Elementary (Gračanica)
• First Elementary (Živinice)
• Second Elementary (Živinice)
• Novi Grad Elementary (Tuzla)
• Humci Elementary (Humci)
• Šibošnica Elementary (Šibošnica)
• Teočak Elementary (Teočak)
• Sapna Elementary (Sapna)
• Vuk Karadžić Secondary School Center (Lopare)
• Mihajlo Petrović Alas Secondary School Center (Ugljevik)

The Sunny Schools Initiative continues to expand, with plans to secure prosumer status for an additional nine schools by the end of the year, further embedding renewable energy solutions into local communities and showcasing a replicable model for energy democratization. This will further strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to sustainable energy and environmental responsibility.

Beyond clean energy production, the program actively engages schools, students, and local communities in the decision-making process, fostering ownership and collaboration among stakeholders. Through participatory planning, the initiative strengthens local capacity for renewable energy adoption and long-term sustainability. Efforts are underway with government institutions, local administrations, school leadership, parent councils, and students to reinvest the savings and revenue from self-produced electricity into new green transition and climate justice projects.

By embracing renewable energy, these schools are not only reducing costs but also fostering a culture of sustainability, inspiring future generations to take an active role in climate action and energy efficiency.