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  • 🎨🌱 “Let’s Bring Lakocerej to Life!” – an eco playground for all

The youth initiative “Let’s Bring Lakocerej to Life!” revitalized the neglected playground in the village of Lakocerej, creating a safe, organized, and inclusive space for recreation and shared community activities.

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During the period December 12–14, 2025, in the village of Lakocerej (Municipality of Ohrid), the youth initiative “Let’s Bring Lakocerej to Life! An eco playground for all.” was implemented, aimed at revitalizing the neglected playground near the Multifunctional Center and creating a safe, organized, and inclusive public space for sports, recreation, socializing, and public events.

The initiative was carried out by Gjoko Juzmeski and Igor Josifoski, with the active involvement of young people (aged 16–35), volunteers, and local actors, including the association “Enheleus Lihnid,” the Local Youth Council and the Assembly of Youth within the Municipality of Ohrid, volunteers from the Red Cross, volunteers from the Cultural Initiative 5 to 12, as well as residents and passersby who joined and offered support.

✅ What was done?

Through joint volunteer work, the once non-functional space was transformed into a place that can once again be used and live with the community. The following activities were implemented:

  • cleaning the space and removing waste;
  • installing waste bins and establishing cooperation with the public utility “Ohridski Komunalec” for their regular maintenance;
  • painting and arranging the playground and restoring parts of the infrastructure;
  • planting greenery and arranging the area with eco-sustainable materials;
  • creating a mural with a green message, as a lasting symbol of care for nature and encouragement for environmental awareness.

🌍 Results and changes

The initiative contributed to:

  • a revitalized, safe, and inclusive playground accessible to all generations;
  • an improved local environment with conditions for long-term maintenance of the space;
  • strengthened youth participation and community spirit through cooperation among young people, organizations, and community residents.

⚡ Challenges and lessons learned

During the process, challenges arose related to weather conditions, coordination among multiple stakeholders, and the logistics of working in a rural environment. These experiences highlighted the need for timely planning, flexibility, and strong local cooperation as key elements for successful joint actions.

This initiative shows that when a community unites around caring for public space and nature, sustainable changes are created that inspire new eco-initiatives, greater solidarity, and more active civic participation. Lakocerej today stands as an example that small local actions can bring about a big green change. 🌱

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.