Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, reminds us how important the everyday choices we make truly are. That’s why the Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce is once again organizing a rich program this year, aiming to bring sustainability closer to citizens and encourage their active participation.
Through a diverse program running from April 20 to 24, citizens will have the opportunity to take part in educational activities, visit exhibitions, and explore solutions that contribute to environmental protection.
Technology, art, and science in service of nature (April 20)
Sunce’s program begins on Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m., in front of the Faculty of Science, as part of the Science Festival. Activities will be open to all citizens until 2:00 p.m., with no prior registration required.
– Imagine a moment when a plastic bottle stops being waste and becomes a useful object. That’s exactly what students from the Craft Technical School Split and the Skalice and Visoka elementary schools will demonstrate. These young innovators will use AWASTER project 3D printers to transform plastic in front of the public’s eyes. This is not just a technology demonstration, it’s a lesson in the circular economy, where waste gets a new life, – emphasizes Tihana Arapović, Expert Associate at Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Department.
A special contribution to the program will be an exhibition of works by students from the School of Fine Arts Split.
– As part of the FishNoWaste project, students created artistic installations from discarded materials and waste, highlighting the issue of marine pollution and the importance of responsible waste management. Their work shows how, with creativity and environmental awareness, waste can become a powerful message about the need to protect nature, – says project manager Tea Kuzmičić Rosandić.
At the same time, through the project Sailing into STEM – A Map for 2030, within the public event “Blue energy: the power of science for a sustainable sea”, participants will have the chance to step into the world of science and learn more about marine conservation and pollution challenges. Interactive STEM activities will present scientific and environmental topics – such as ocean acidification, microplastics, and changes in marine ecosystems – in a simple and engaging way.
Nature-based solutions in schools (April 22)
On Earth Day itself, April 22, the event will be hosted by Brda Elementary School – a place already living the vision of a greener Split. As part of the DesirMED project, an event for educational professionals from Split-Dalmatia County will be held. Prior registration is required, and the event will take place in the school’s outdoor classroom from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
– On this occasion, we will present the results of research on young people’s environmental awareness, designed and conducted by Sunce in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split. We will also present the results of Sunce’s external evaluation for the period from 2005 to 2025, with a focus on youth engagement. Additionally, we will officially launch a new DesirMED call for schools in our county, offering financial support for improving outdoor spaces, – announces Margita Radman, Head of the Education and Information Department.
The key requirement is that garden designs incorporate nature-based solutions and include sustainable, environmentally friendly elements that enhance climate resilience. For example, increasing greenery can help regulate temperature and manage rainwater, planting flowers can boost biodiversity, and rainwater harvesting can reduce water consumption.
– Can you imagine a school yard as a place where students learn, socialize, and enjoy nature? Sunce is giving you the opportunity to turn that vision into reality. We invite all teachers and interested participants from other schools to join us and learn all the details about this call. Invitations will be sent out soon, and we hope for a great response, – said Maja Jurić, DesirMED project manager at Sunce.
Fashion Revolution Day (April 24)
The Earth Day celebration continues on Friday, April 24, with a public event and exhibition “Fashion Revolution Day”, open to all interested citizens.
A clothing and fashion item Swap Fair will be held in front of the Natural Science School. With this special event, Sunce aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of the fashion industry on nature and the environment, encouraging more mindful consumption and a more sustainable approach to clothing.
Visitors can bring well-preserved clothes and shoes they no longer wear and exchange them for other items, thereby extending the lifespan of textiles and reducing waste. Each donated item earns a voucher that can be used for exchange.
– In addition to the swap, citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the problem of textile waste. The textile industry is one of today’s biggest polluters – it is estimated that less than 1% of clothing is globally recycled into new garments, while most ends up in landfills or incineration. That’s why initiatives like this play an important role in changing habits and raising awareness. Everyone is welcome from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., – announces Mihaela Mladar, an intern in the Education and Information Department at Sunce.
Join Sunce in marking Earth Day. The wide range of activities might inspire you, not only to take action, but perhaps even to become a member and actively contribute to the protection of nature and the environment.
