Green Future on the Pages of the EU PRO Plus Programme Calendar for 2024

The traditional competition jointly organised by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Serbia, the Ministry of European Integration and UNOPS encouraged high school students to direct their creativity towards shaping a greener future for all. Through artistic expression, they presented their skills and future occupations in the field of circular economy, i.e. how they can contribute to waste reduction, recycling, reuse of old things and overall change of social habits in order to protect the environment.

"This year's EU PRO Plus art competition has showcased the incredible potential of our young artists in shaping a greener future. These artworks are not just visual treats but powerful statements on sustainability and the principles of circular economy, a key focus of the EU's environmental strategy. Your work exemplifies the very essence of innovation and environmental consciousness. You are not only artists but ambassadors of change, leading the way in environmental conservation and circular economy practices", said Manuel Munteanu, Head of Information, Communication and Media of the EU Delegation to Serbia while congratulating the winners and all participants of the Art Competition.

Total of 149 artworks  from 39 secondary schools from the territory covered by the EU PRO Plus programme was submitted for this year's art competition, which was open from October 17 to November 17 2023. 

"The winners of this year's competition are not only artistically gifted, but they know how to improve the quality of the environment, to recycle, to use old things to make something new and useful. You are actually the bearers of positive changes in the future in the field of environmental protection, and with your example you encourage all of us to get actively involved in one of the most important topics globally", said Slobodan Aleksić, from the Ministry of European Integration. Đurić particularly underlined the importance of the work of teachers who have been encouraging students to participate in this competition and engage their creativity for years.

"The art competition for the calendar was organised for the first time in 2010, when the European Union programme focused on local development included 25 cities and municipalities. During the course of 13 years our programme has grown to the current 99 cities and municipalities, and we have had the opportunity to see how the generations of high school students who participated in the art competition have grown up too. Your ideas always stimulate us to be even better in our work and to try to respond to the needs of you young people as well", said Olivera Kostić,EU PRO Plus programme manager.

Apart from the first three awarded artworks, the EU PRO calendar for the following year also features the artworks of Dunja Nogić from Aleksinac, Anja Terzić and Mina Tomović  from Kraljevo, Ana Tošić and Petra Mladenović from Leskovac, Kalina Rakonjac from Nova Varoš, Vildana Vejsilović from Novi Pazar, Anastasija Božilović from Surdulica and Stefana Glumac from Vrnjačka Banja. For the achieved results the students received laptops and tablet computers and mobile phones, while the School of Textile and Leather Design from Novi Pazar was awarded with a laptop and a projector. The results of the art competition can be found on the website of the EU PRO Plus program   Results of the Art Competition Creating a Greener Future.