Arranging schoolyards, setting up art installations, Platonic Solids, as well as gazebos in which it is possible to hold outdoor classes, benches in school hallways, organizing reproductive health education, reading and nature clubs and relaxation and socializing zones in schools, are just some of the successfully implemented ideas of Novi Sad high school students who participated in the ‘Join, Find a Solution’ project.
During 2019, the project was implemented in 11 high schools in Novi Sad, two student ideas were awarded in each school, and the decision on which idea will receive funds for implementation was made by the school students using the principles of democratic elections – voting.
‘Join, Find a Solution’ means a process through which high school students, who are led by trained facilitators through the process, have the opportunity to learn to recognize the needs of their community, awaken an activist spirit and propose a creative solution.
The project provided an opportunity for high school students from Novi Sad to directly influence the improvement of their environment, or in this case, the changes in their school as an environment in which they spend most of the day. The programme is open to all state high schools in the territory of Novi Sad and all students and schools have the right to participate.
Such programmes provide students with the opportunity to learn to think and directly influence what and how the funds will be spent, i.e. to be part of the decision-making process in their schools and think about the needs of all students and the well-being of the whole community.
The ‘Join, Find a Solution programme was jointly implemented by two European capitals: ’Novi Sad 2022 – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation and European Youth Capital 2019, with the support of the City of Novi Sad, City Administration for Sports and Youth, City Administration for Culture and Provincial Secretariat for Education, Regulations, Administration and National Minorities – National Communities have reached a larger number of schools, students and solutions.
Photo: NS EPK
