“Youth for Rivers” Transboundary training for young people from Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia took place in National Park “Mavrovo” (N. Macedonia) from 13th until 19th of September 2025.
Participants came from three smaller, but authentic, communities: Vevčani (North Macedonia), Kolašin (Montenegro) and Ranilug (Kosovo). These three rural communities have a couple of thousands of inhabitants that face similar environmental problems. The environmental awareness of a community is clearly reflected through care and protection of river ecosystems. This training aimed to equip youngsters to recognize, identify and address environmental problems, but also to activate, engage, advocate for protection of their rivers.
The program was designed and facilitated by two trainers, an expert in environmental education (Sonja Badjura from Serbia) and expert in youth policies and advocacy (Mirela Rajković from Montenegro). With the support of the hosts, the Eko-svest team, the training included diverse topics and activities focused on river protection and youth engagement.
From team building, getting to know each other and ice-breaking activities, the group stepped into local realities. During the study visit to Tresonče river in NP Mavrovo, the participants learned about the problems caused by small and big hydropower plants, in particular in protected areas.
They also learnt how to use camera traps and anemometers for measuring water parameters and, as a group, identified more than 120 species of animals and plants. Finally, the waterfalls and a clean and healthy river (from which we could drink water) inspired the whole group to get empowered for the protection of their local rivers.
Half-way, ecosystem services and web of life put everything into context and connection, from where participants could dive into active citizenship, stakeholder analysis, problem identification and ideation, and different steps in planning of local initiatives. Many topics were tackled on the way, such as the inclusion of marginalized groups, gender stereotypes, critical thinking.
The guests from the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association presented their amazing and brave work in achieving social change through legal mechanisms and collaboration with decision-makers.
At the end, the local groups have started developing their environmental initiatives around river issues, which will be implemented in the upcoming months. We used MIRO a lot for problem analysis, stakeholder analysis, ideation and other tools for planning local initiatives.
According to the final evaluation, this is what participants think of YOUTH ACTIVISM:
In the next 6 months, participants, teachers and mentors from their organisations will work on the local initiatives – Youth Empowerment Sessions (YES)! Based on the training outcomes, the plan of implementation will be developed, with at least one activity each month.
Stay tuned for regular updates!
The project is implemented within the framework of the BOOST program supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy.
The views, opinions and content expressed in this text are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Association for Local Democracy-ALDA and Agence Française de Développement (AFD). ALDA and AFD are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
