Green Initiative in the South: Successful Actions in Babušnica and Bosilegrad

The municipalities of Babušnica and Bosilegrad in southern Serbia have recently demonstrated what environmental protection looks like in practice. Under the framework of the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" Programme, clean-up campaigns for illegal dumpsites and public space greening initiatives were successfully conducted across these locations.

The waste removal efforts in the rural areas surrounding Babušnica saw the active participation of upper-primary school students, who demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preserving natural heritage. Operating under the slogan "Clean Babušnica is Our Shared Responsibility," the youth dedicated their efforts to cleaning up nearby riverbanks, forested areas, and rural settlements. Following the completion of the campaign, 24 new waste containers were installed across multiple locations within the municipality, establishing the necessary infrastructure for regular municipal waste disposal.

Through collaborative efforts and a direct contribution to their local community, the youth sent a powerful message – that small changes in individual daily habits yield significant, long-term results.

In parallel with the activities in Babušnica, the PRO Programme supported environmental initiatives in Bosilegrad. Through the project "Bosilegrad ECORISE – A Town Growing with Nature," 500 linden tree seedlings were secured. These will be distributed across local communities and planted along the Dragovištica river quay, as well as within schoolyards and church grounds in surrounding villages.

The objective of this project is to expand green areas and improve air quality. Activities encompass strategic planning, active community engagement, tree planting, as well as training sessions on seedling care and environmental education. We are ensuring the sustainability of this initiative through local cooperation, regular maintenance, and continuous public awareness raising," emphasized Mikica Vasilev, Environmental Protection Officer at the Municipal Administration of Bosilegrad.

The "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" Programme is jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia – UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP – in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.