One of the greatest environmental challenges of our time is the unchecked growth of the fashion industry. So-called fast fashion generates enormous amounts of waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while awareness of the scale of the problem often remains abstract – especially among young people. That is precisely why the Swap Fair has proven to be a simple yet highly effective tool for bringing sustainable practices closer to pupils and students.
When sustainability stops being abstract
As part of the project Swap Fair – Wanna Trade?, the association Sunce organized Swap Fair activities in educational institutions. With mentoring support, pupils and university students independently organized clothing, book, and item swaps in their schools and faculties. The aim of the Swap Fair is to reduce waste and extend the lifespan of everyday items. By involving young people in the organization process, the initiative encourages critical thinking about consumer habits and empowers them to take active steps in environmental protection – through hands-on experience.
The Swap Fair at V. Gymnasium: when students take the initiative
The Swap Fair was successfully held at V. Gymnasium Vladimir Nazor in Split, where students played the leading role. On Friday, November 21, during the main school break, the school atrium transformed into a lively mini marketplace of second-hand clothes, books, and fashion accessories.
Members of the school’s volunteer and multimedia groups organized the event with support from teachers and the Sunce association. In the days leading up to the fair, students prepared promotional materials such as posters and a video announcement. Members of the multimedia group also interviewed fellow students about fast fashion and its environmental impact. In this way, they raised awareness about the issue while inviting others to take part in the project.
– The fair followed the same principle that Sunce has already implemented. For each donated item (clothing, books, jewelry, and so on) students received one voucher, which they could exchange for another item at the fair, – explains Nina Videka, a student at V. Gymnasium.
Despite poor weather, the fair ran smoothly and attracted strong interest from students. The welcoming atmosphere was further enhanced by music selected by the school’s music editorial team, featuring songs themed around consumerism and consumer society. During the event, visitors could hear tracks such as Pusti, pusti modu by Zdravko Čolić, Material Girl by Madonna, and Bile starke by Dječaci.
The experience demonstrated that students are eager to support sustainable initiatives when given the opportunity to actively participate in their organization and implementation. They also offered numerous ideas for improving the fair and were especially engaged in preparing promotional materials.
Black Friday at the Faculty of Science
The experience of organizing a Swap Fair at the university level showed that such an initiative can also serve as a valuable educational experience for students. Fani Sučević, a student at the Faculty of Science in Split, joined the project with a clear motivation: to personally contribute to sustainability and waste reduction.
Preparations began with coordination meetings and a division of tasks based on students’ interests. Some students were responsible for designing posters and swap vouchers, while others created social media content or wrote articles. In doing so, they developed a sense of shared responsibility, teamwork, and organizational skills.
The fair was held on November 28 in the Faculty of Science atrium, fittingly, on Black Friday. Display tables and clothing racks were set up with donated items, including clothes, books, and fashion accessories. A positive atmosphere, collegial spirit, and good organization marked the entire event.
– I personally liked the voucher concept the most, and I even found an interesting necklace that I exchanged for one of my own clothing items. Since the fair took place on Black Friday, it definitely encouraged me to reflect on sustainable consumption and how small steps can lead to big change. Overall, I believe the Swap Fair was a success, and I will definitely try to participate in future events, – says Fani.
Why is the Swap Fair a good tool for schools and universities?
Experiences from both high-school and university settings show that the Swap Fair is:
- easy to organize with a clear division of tasks
- adaptable to different age groups
- a powerful tool for developing environmental awareness through practice
- an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning (biology, civic education, media literacy)
- motivating, as pupils and students see the tangible results of their engagement
For teachers and educators who wish to organize a similar activity in their institutions, it is essential to involve pupils and students in the entire process – from planning to implementation – and to connect the fair with broader themes of sustainability, consumption, and responsible environmental behavior. The Swap Fair demonstrates that sustainability does not have to remain an abstract concept, but can become a memorable experience. And it is precisely such experiences that leave the deepest impact.
If you are interested in organizing a Swap Fair at your institution, please contact us at: [email protected].
