When a volunteer initiative grows into a movement that brings together generations of students, you know that something worth noticing is taking shape. This is precisely the story behind the student project Greenfield, about which we spoke with Ana Vrbica, a student at the Faculty of Economics and an active member of the initiative that has been raising environmental awareness among young people in recent years.
Ana takes us back to 2022, when it all began with a panel discussion titled, symbolically, ‘Why Would Anyone Be Eco?’ As she explains, Stefan Nevistić, then a member of the organization, presented the idea that each of us can be an agent of change—even through small gestures —in an inspiring way.
— In the first year, our colleagues immediately put theory into practice by organizing a trip to Divčibare, which became a concrete first step toward everything that followed, Ana explains.
That initial enthusiasm did not remain confined to the first generation of participants. On the contrary, it spread, inspired new members, and gradually evolved into increasingly ambitious and tangible activities year after year. Today, Greenfield stands behind cleanup actions in Ovčar Banja and Subotica, as well as numerous initiatives organized at the Faculty itself.
— What motivates us most are the small changes we initiate each year, which over time lead to significant results, Ana says.
As a student organization, Greenfield members feel a particular responsibility to bring environmental protection closer to young people and, through their own example, demonstrate that solidarity can go hand in hand with ecology. At the Faculty of Economics, they regularly organize humanitarian collections of recyclable materials and are especially proud of their volunteer cleanup campaign at Mount Avala.
This year, they have taken a step further: alongside recycling efforts, they have launched a collection of used ‘Terea’ tobacco sticks, empty cigarette packs, and similar packaging, which they donate to the association Naša kuća (Our House), an organization that provides support to persons with developmental disabilities.
— This association supports individuals with developmental disabilities, and we are extremely pleased that through this project we can help them and contribute to raising awareness about their position in society, our interlocutor emphasizes.
Success Measured by Student Engagement
For Greenfield, one of its greatest achievements is the fact that it has succeeded in mobilizing a large number of students who had long wanted to contribute but lacked a clear opportunity to do so.
In focus:
- Titan Group – a Leader in the Sustainable Use of Alternative Fuels
- New Solar Power Facility at the Pančevo Oil Refinery
- Digital Energy Management in Hotels – The Role of the ABB KNX System
— With the support of the faculty, in 2024, we organized our first recycling campaign, which resulted in the purchase of essential equipment for those who needed it most, Ana says.
That moment clearly demonstrated that environmental awareness among students not only exists, but is simply waiting for the right impulse to be expressed. This year, several new initiatives are being introduced in response to the growing support the project receives with each cycle.
Although Greenfield does not currently have formal cooperation with other faculties, invitations for joint actions have already been extended. Ana emphasizes that they are open to partnerships and would welcome the opportunity to join forces with other student organizations in the future.
When it comes to companies, cooperation has already been established and continues year after year. The project is supported by numerous firms that recognize the importance of raising environmental awareness, and Greenfield is committed to nurturing and expanding these partnerships.
Asked where she sees the project in the coming years, Ana responds with optimism:
— We hope that future generations will continue in our footsteps, while also further developing the project through new ideas, initiatives, and actions. Our goal is to organize conferences featuring experts in ecology to show young people that even seemingly small changes in everyday behavior can make a significant difference. We would also like to carry out tree-planting initiatives and contribute to improving certain areas in Belgrade and other cities across Serbia.
Most importantly, she adds, the project must remain alive and maintain continuity. Cleanup actions, recycling, and raising awareness about responsible behavior toward nature remain the core pillars of Greenfield.
— We believe that continuity and dedication are the key to real change, Ana concludes.
Prepared by Milena Maglovski
The story was published in Energy portal Magazine DIGITALIZATION
