Young people from Mostar, Sarajevo and Banja Luka learned about smart energy use

As part of the project ”Green Economic Development”, educational and entertaining events were held in Mostar, Sarajevo and Banja Luka, where visitors had fun and received useful tips and information on more efficient energy use, the importance of energy sustainability and environmental protection. Approximately 4,000 visitors attended the events, mostly children and young people, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

With the aim of better understanding energy efficiency among children and young people, the events were held under the slogan ”Like for Smart Energy” in a festive spirit and ambiance, and the face of this educational campaign, Professor Atom, gave advice in an interesting and fun way on how to use energy smartly in everyday life.

The little ones demonstrated their knowledge through a quiz and won numerous prizes, and via Professor Atom's Facebook page, the luckiest will have the chance to win a special gift – a new bicycle. As part of the campaign, an educational game was developed to help children and young people discover ways to save energy in their home, yard and school in a fun way, available at www.lajkzapametnuenergiju.ba.

- Excessive use of energy sources is a major problem for the entire planet, and since young people more easily adopt new ways of thinking, through this educational campaign we primarily want to send important messages and advice to young people about ways to save and use renewable energy sources. In this way, young people learn and can advocate for changes for a better and safer future for all of us - said Sanjin Avdić, head of the energy and environment sector at UNDP.

The project ”Green Economic Development” is a five-year project implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by UNDP in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in BiH, the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Republika Srpska. The project aims to create conditions for investments in energy efficiency projects, increase the number of ”green jobs” and contribute to market development leading to increased economic progress.

- Increased energy efficiency, especially in the building and transport sectors, not to mention industry, results in reduced environmental pollution costs and better protection of public health. We want to point out to citizens that more efficient energy use is the cheapest way to reduce energy consumption, save money spent on energy and reduce pollution. Energy efficiency means improving the quality of life, and therefore through numerous activities we educate the public on how to reduce energy consumption in their home and daily life, and become energy efficient - said Safet Harbinja, director of the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of BiH.

According to Srđan Todorović, director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of RS, excessive use of energy resources is a serious problem in the world, so it is very important to change the habits and awareness of citizens.

- Continuous information on energy sustainability leads to citizens recognizing the importance of more efficient energy use for economic and social development. It is a pleasure to participate in this project because through such and similar activities we contribute to the preservation of the planet - added Todorović.

In the past two years, within the project, a consumption monitoring system was implemented in more than 1,500 public buildings in BiH, detailed energy audits were carried out for over 120 buildings across BiH, and infrastructure works to improve energy efficiency were carried out on 42 public buildings with a total value of over 5 million KM. During 2015, works were carried out on 25 buildings in BiH.

The importance of this project has been recognized and confirmed through cooperation on it by the Una-Sana Canton, Central Bosnia Canton, Tuzla Canton, West Herzegovina Canton, Canton 10, Sarajevo Canton and the Ministry of Education and Culture of RS.