Last year, 25-year-old ESS volunteer Milijana Bogdanoska from North Macedonia had the chance to discover the Green Phone at Sunce – a free service for anyone who wants to report an environmental issue but isn’t sure who to contact. Citizens could submit reports by calling 072 123 456 or emailing [email protected] (for issues in Split-Dalmatia or Dubrovnik-Neretva counties).
While working at Sunce’s Green Phone – part of the Green Phone Network of Croatia – Milijana collaborated daily with Sunce’s legal team, tracking and resolving citizens’ environmental reports. In 2024, she recalls, out of 129 reports submitted, 67 were successfully resolved, while for the remaining cases, Sunce took the necessary steps but was awaiting responses from the relevant authorities.
– Working at the Green Phone gave me the chance to communicate with citizens across Croatia every day, addressing a wide range of environmental concerns. Their gratitude for our time and their satisfaction after each case was resolved strengthened my belief in the Green Phone’s mission, – Milijana remembers.
Each resolved report inspired Milijana to one day bring this concept to her home country. It seems that the time has finally come and here’s how she made it happen.
The Green Phone: from Croatia to North Macedonia
After spending 2024 volunteering at Sunce and living in Split, Milijana returned home to North Macedonia in February 2025, joining Eko-svest – a well-established NGO that has been active for 23 years in nature protection, energy, water, climate, and civic engagement.
As an environmental lawyer, Milijana saw an opportunity to implement the Green Phone. Recognizing the need for a more effective system to handle environmental challenges locally and beyond, Eko-svest launched its own Green Phone in August 2025.
– My year-long experience with the Green Phone at Sunce, combined with my strong belief in the idea and its effectiveness, made it inevitable that I would bring it to my country. Eko-svest offered incredible support and enthusiasm, allowing us to get started right away, – she explains.
Just like in Croatia, the service provides guidance, legal advice, and support to citizens who want to take action. Through the Green Phone, people report environmental issues and receive instructions on how to address them. The legal team reviews the reports, advises citizens on next steps, or forwards cases to the relevant authorities.
Step by step towards success
Milijana recalls that setting up the Green Phone involved both challenges and excitement. Even though she already knew the system from her experience in Croatia, practical tasks like preparing promotional materials, coordinating meetings, and establishing protocols were demanding.
– While some municipalities in North Macedonia already have online platforms for reporting environmental issues, many citizens are unaware of them. The Green Phone fills this gap, aiming to boost civic engagement and provide accessible, practical solutions, – says Milijana, now part of a truly dedicated team.
Her team handles citizen reports daily, with most calls related to waste – from illegal dumping and unsanitary containers to improper disposal in nature. Each report demonstrates the strong need for a direct communication channel between the community and authorities.
From volunteering to real impact
Since its launch, Eko-svest’s Green Phone has been receiving numerous reports and continues to grow. Citizens can get information, legal support, and advice on solving environmental issues, while Eko-svest strengthens collaboration with authorities to maximize impact.
– I’m so happy that the Green Phone isn’t a temporary project with a limited duration. At Eko-svest, we’ve established it as a permanent tool for citizens to access information, legal support, and ultimately contribute to improving the environment. The response has been amazing, with many reports coming in, but that also brings greater responsibility, – she adds.
What started as a volunteer experience in Croatia has now become a permanent and growing initiative in North Macedonia. The Green Phone shows how one inspired person, combined with experience, dedication, and community support, can create practical, positive change for the environment.
