In December 2025, at the Youth Center Kavadarci, the youth initiative “Fill Awareness – Remove Plastic” was implemented, focused on raising awareness about the harmful effects of plastic and encouraging sustainable habits among young people.

The initiative was carried out by Velika Srbakova and Renata Angelkova, through a series of educational workshops and practical eco-actions that involved young people from the community, as well as children from the Small Group Home for Children at Risk – Kavadarci.

What was implemented?

The activities included:

• a workshop with 15 young participants on the harmful effects of plastic and opportunities for youth eco-activism;
• an action for collecting plastic bottles with the participation of 13 young people, where the collected plastic was properly disposed of in Pakomak recycling containers;
• an educational workshop and eco-action with 7 children from the Small Group Home, who learned about environmental protection and sustainable habits through practical activities.

As additional motivation, the young participants received reusable metal water bottles, encouraging the replacement of plastic with durable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Results and impact

Through the initiative:

• 23 young people gained practical knowledge about the consequences of plastic waste;
• 23 participants received reusable metal bottles, promoting more sustainable daily habits;
• 460 plastic bottles were collected and properly recycled, directly contributing to the reduction of municipal plastic waste.

Challenges and lessons learned

The initiative faced challenges such as lower participation from some invited young people and the need to clearly define the recycling method for the collected plastic. By involving children from the Small Group Home and using Pakomak containers, proper recycling and practical learning about sustainable habits were ensured.

The process demonstrated that interactive activities and concrete practical examples significantly increase young people’s motivation for eco-activism and foster environmental awareness from an early age.

This initiative confirms that when young people are given knowledge, space for action, and practical tools, they become drivers of positive change toward a cleaner and more sustainable community. 🌱

The initiative was implemented within the project “ZZZ – Together for Green Advocacy for Environmental Protection,” funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Civica Mobilitas program and implemented by the Center for Youth Activism KRIK, the Center for Social Initiatives “Nadez,” and the Association of Social Workers of Macedonia – ZSRM.