Europe House has launched a competition “Trashformers: Schools Transform Waste” inviting primary and secondary schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in creating sustainable solutions for waste reduction, guided by the “3R” principles (reduce, reuse, recycle) and the application of the principles of the circular economy.

The competition allows students to implement the principles of the circular economy in their schools and local communities, promoting waste reduction, material reuse and recycling. This competition is an opportunity for students to showcase creativity and to engage in changes that will contribute to environmental protection and strengthening of sustainable practices, in line with the key European Union policies on environmental protection.

Who can participate?

The competition is open to all primary and secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each school can submit one project per class or school section (e.g. environmental section), with a minimum of 10 and maximum 25 students per team. The deadline for submissions is 14 May 2025. 

Competition format

Applications for the competition are to be submitted in the form of a short video recording, no longer than 180 seconds, which, through images and words, presents a project activity on waste reduction, reuse and/or recycling that students have designed and implemented or plan to implement in their schools and/or communities.

Projects may include (but are not limited to):

• Upcycling school supplies or furniture into new, functional objects.
• Organizing zero-waste school lunches and minimizing food waste.
• Launching a “No Waste Week” challenge at school.
• Establishing a school recycling system or awareness campaign.
• Circular economy innovations, such as reusing textiles or using biodegradable alternatives.

Awards

The five winning teams will receive unique prizes, including an ecological trip for all team members to a nature park no more than 100 km from the school location, chosen by the students – team members and school representatives, and outdoor and indoor plants and green design elements for the school, chosen by the students – team members and school representatives.

The five winning school teams will be invited to Europe House in Sarajevo for an event which will be held on 4 June 2025 during the EU Green Week, where project presentations and awards will be held. 

Detailed information about the competition and application form is available here: https://europehouse.ba/bs/takmicenje/pravilnik-trashformers-skole-transformisu-otpad/

Europe House is a long-term communications project of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, superseding the EU Info Centre in BiH, with its central office in Sarajevo (Europe House) and a network of Europe House Info Points across Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a project, Europe House provides relevant information on programmes, projects, institutions and policies of the European Union, as well as on relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union.  Europe House network activities include organisation of informative and inspiring events across BiH, with the aim of promoting European values in BiH. For more information please visit:  www.europehouse.ba.