On April 22nd, 2025, in celebration of Earth Day, the Youth Placemaking Balkans (YPB) initiative was proudly presented to the community of the Elementary School in Pula, where some of the upcoming interventions will take place.

To mark the occasion, we organized a tree-planting activity that gathered 50 participants — including students, teachers, representatives of the local municipality, and professionals from Croatian Forests. Together, they planted trees and learned about the importance of protecting natural ecosystems.

But this event was about much more than trees. It was a chance to introduce the goals of the YPB initiative: empowering youth, fostering social inclusion, and creating healthier, more sustainable public spaces. 🌱

Why it mattered:

• 🌍 It highlighted how small, local actions can make a global impact.

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 It gave students a hands-on experience with sustainability and civic engagement.

• 🤝 It built stronger connections between schools, institutions, and the natural environment, laying the foundation for future collaboration.

By planting together, the community of Pula showed its commitment to shaping spaces that are not only greener but also more inclusive, educational, and youth-driven.

This event marks an exciting first step in bringing YPB interventions to life at the Elementary School — where youth will continue to play a central role in designing and improving spaces that reflect their dreams and needs.

✨ Thank you to everyone who took part. Your efforts will grow with each tree and with every new initiative we build together.

#YouthPlacemakingBalkans #EarthDay #BetterBalkans #GreenerFuture