Imagine a child born today will face a world with twice as many wildfires, nearly three times as many droughts, and almost seven times more heatwaves than their grandparents. This is the stark reality of our climate crisis, highlighted in a recent report, Charting a Youth vision for a just and sustainable future.

Young women and men are some of the most vulnerable to the lifelong environmental effects caused by climate change. Yet, youth show incredible strength, leadership, and resilience and they urgently need to be better supported at the heart of environmental action and sustainable development. Recognizing this need, the Czech-UNDP Partnership for SDGs has introduced a new project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

In collaboration with Džemal Bijedić University and Sveučilište u Mostaru, Kokoza, a Czech NGO focused on composting, biowaste, and sustainability, launched a project as a part of the Innovation Challenge Fund aimed at addressing environmental issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the education of youth. The initiative focuses on urban composting and environmental education to tackle problems like droughts, heatwaves, low agricultural productivity, and the lack of biowaste management facilities.

Recently, the project addressed the absence of biowaste management facilities by introducing composting practices. This helped reduce the ecological footprint of the universities and served as a model for other institutions to follow. The multi-chamber garden composting system used was cost-effective and efficient, suitable for replication in other schools and communities.

Masters' students at the universities were trained in composting techniques. They learned how to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs using compost, gaining an understanding of the full cycle from waste to soil enrichment. This practical training enabled students to apply their knowledge directly.

Amela, a participant of the workshop, shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I highly recommend this composting workshop. The lecturers are very interesting; they convey the 'beauty' and 'importance' of composting for the environment and people. Making your own composter is challenging but also fun in your spare time.”

These trained students then taught younger students in secondary, primary, and kindergarten schools. They used workshops and practical demonstrations to spread knowledge about composting and its benefits. This approach ensured that the skills were passed down through different educational levels.

The project emphasized the need for collaborative action to build a fair society. Students from various backgrounds worked together to improve their environment. This collective effort demonstrated the power of community involvement in sustainability initiatives.

“This project has taught us the importance of composting and the impact of collective action,” added Ana, a student at Džemal Bijedić University. “We've become more environmentally conscious as a result.”

“Kindergartens and primary schools are the ideal places to start,” said Nihad, another student. “Children are open-minded and often absorb new knowledge quickly, especially when it's presented in an engaging and interactive way, like a game or play."

Dissemination of knowledge

The project ensured that the knowledge gained was shared beyond the universities. Workshops and community events were held to disseminate information about composting. This broader engagement helped spread sustainable practices to a wider audience.

The project also highlighted using freely available educational resources in Bosnia to support similar initiatives elsewhere. This approach encouraged other schools and communities to adopt composting and sustainable practices.

The pressing environmental challenges faced by today's youth underscore the critical need for their active engagement in environmental action. This project is a prime example of how youth can be at the forefront of sustainable development initiatives. By equipping university students with practical composting skills and fostering knowledge transfer across educational levels, the project has empowered participants to take action in their communities.  

The new project Reducing ecological footprints in educational institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina is implemented by UNDP through the Czech Challenge Fund, with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. This project can serve as a model for similar efforts worldwide, demonstrating that with adequate support and resources, youth can lead the way in creating a more sustainable and equitable society.

Youth have a vital role to play in tackling climate change and protecting the environment. In Europe and Central Asia, UNDP promotes youth engagement for peaceful, resilient, just and equal societies, focusing on the changing role of youth in crisis prevention and peacebuilding, advancing green societies and just transition, and promoting inclusion. In 2022, UNDP helped set up the Europe and Central Asia Regional Youth Network called ‘Generation Nexus’ on Youth Environmental Activism to foster regional collaboration among young activists and involve them in regional climate action activities.