Youth lead eco‑projects in Croatia’s Rab and Serbia’s Loznica on World Environment Day

On 5 June 2026, pupils from OŠ Ivana Rabljanina Rab gathered at Vela riva on the island of Rab to celebrate World Ocean Day. The students, joined for the first time by a school from Barbate, sailed on the boats Mala Maris and Vojka and released specially prepared ceramic balls that each can cleanse one square metre of seabed. They also sampled seawater, measured salinity and learned about a microbial solution (EKO EM plus) that restores marine ecosystems. The project, running since 2017, is supported by local authorities, the municipal water‑management company, and the regional tourism board.

The same day in Loznica, Serbia, the "Mala srca za veliku planetu" program brought together primary, secondary and preschool children for a creative showcase of songs, plays and dances highlighting daily habits that protect the environment. Municipal assistant mayor Milan Jugović pledged continued municipal backing, while school director Nada Ostojić emphasized the lasting impact of artistic expression on ecological awareness.