The final event within the framework of the “Sunny Schools in the Western Balkans” initiative was held on June 21, 2024, in Valjevo. The event gathered more than 50 school principals, teachers, and students from six elementary schools in Valjevo, representatives of the city councils of Valjevo and Kragujevac, media and other relevant stakeholders.
At the event, key results were presented following a year of implementation of this initiative in Valjevo. The regional initiative, implemented by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, encompasses several components: the installation of solar power plants in selected elementary schools, research within school communities among students, parents, and teachers about their knowledge of various aspects of the green transition, and an educational component involving workshops on environmental protection, renewable energy sources, and sustainable development for fifth, sixth, and seventh-grade students.
Mr. Vladimir Miskovic, a member of the Valjevo City Council, presented the experience of working on the initiative from the perspective of the city of Valjevo, and how this initiative has contributed to raising awareness among citizens, especially within school communities, about green agenda issues at the local level.
On behalf of the Open Society Foundations- Western Balkans, Aleksandra Sanjevic presented the key results of this multi-year initiative at the regional level, highlighted examples of good practices introduced so far (such as that the school savings on electricity bills will be used for the improvement of learning conditions at schools) and spoke about future engagement that will be focused on creation of the energy communities.
Olivera Vukovic, Executive Director of SeCoNs – Development Initiative Group, presented the results of two-phased research conducted in twelve schools, indicating the readiness of teachers and students to engage in such initiatives. Ms. Vukovic pointed out key areas for improving cooperation among schools and parents in the context of implementing various extracurricular activities.
Marija Milosavljevic representing Belgrade Open School which carried out the educational project component, emphasized very active students’ participation and engagement that was reflected in the “Green Ideas Bazaar” where 17 students teams participated presenting their ideas for the improvement of the environmental conditions in the City of Valjevo.
Principals of participating elementary schools underlined how the initiative encouraged them to introduce various green practices, cooperation and exchange of experiences, as well as future mutual project designing in the field of environmental protection.
Finally, two students teams presented their ideas on improving environmental conditions. The team from “Vladika Nikolaj Velimirovic” elementary school, whose idea was selected as outstanding at the Bazaar of Green Ideas, presented their idea for protecting the Gradac River and the surrounding areas in Valjevo city to local government representatives.
In the upcoming period, the city of Valjevo will continue to support schools and monitor the effects of the initiative’s implementation, while the “Sunny Schools in the Western Balkans” initiative will be implemented in City of Kragujevac, whose representative also attended the event.