As part of the project “Strengthening Local and Cross-Border Cooperation for Biodiversity Protection in the Prespa-Ohrid Region,” the “Une Gruaja” Association supported a local initiative developed by students of “Muharrem Çollaku” High School in Pogradec.
Through their creativity and dedication, the students set out to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: water pollution and the protection of the fragile ecosystem of Lake Ohrid.
Their initiative consists of two main innovative components:
- “Lyhnida – Untouched Ecosystem”, an autonomous filtration and monitoring system designed to prevent waste from entering the lake via rivers.
- “Cleaning Lake Water from Microplastics”, an experimental solution aimed at reducing invisible yet highly harmful plastic pollution.
These ideas emerged during the Science Festival and were transformed into a comprehensive process of education, research, and innovation, successfully progressing through several stages of evaluation.
A journey of Success
The students’ projects stood out from the outset, being recognised as one of the best at high school level (out of 55 projects), and among the best in the city, and also considered one the most outstanding projects in the region. At the National Final Competition in Tirana, “Muharrem Çollaku” High School was awarded the UNICEF Award for the Greatest Impact on the Community.
This achievement highlights the importance of connecting education, innovation, and community engagement in efforts to protect the environment.
Institutional Support for Young People
As part of the project’s development, the students and their supervising teacher, Eva Pjetri, were invited to meet with the Mayor of Pogradec.
During the meeting, they presented their vision for preventing urban, inert, and organic waste from being discharged into Lake Ohrid, as well as addressing pollution caused by phosphorus and nitrates.
The mayor considered the idea highly promising and offered technical support through the municipal specialists to help advance the project towards practical implementation.
He emphasised that the involvement of young people represents a direct contribution to preserving water quality and biodiversity in the area, describing the initiative as a positive example of youth-led action with significant potential to benefit the wider community.
The participating students and the supporting group were also recognised during the meeting: Emi, Andrea, Ema, Gresa, Sibora, as well as Dionisi, Margeni, Mateo, and Emi.
Cooperation for a sustainable future
Through this project, the “Une Gruaja” Association supported the initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to empowering young people and promoting innovative solutions for biodiversity conservation in the Prespa–Ohrid region.
This successful collaboration clearly demonstrates that when schools, communities, and local institutions come together, young people’s ideas can be transformed into initiatives that make a genuine contribution to environmental protection and the sustainable future of the region.
By: “Une, Gruaja Albania – UG”
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