Mitrovica Green Fest
The Community Development Fund has supported the Mitrovica Green Fest for two consecutive years, focusing on educational initiatives, awareness-raising, and citizen-driven activities that encourage meaningful community engagement in environmental conservation.
Since 2011, the festival, organized annually by 7 Arte, has served as a dynamic platform that combines art, culture, and environmental awareness to promote sustainable practices and community participation.
Why Green Fest?
The festival, alongside the Green School Program, engages youth, institutions, and businesses through interactive activities that promote a culture of environmental sustainability. By blending education, culture, and community activism, it has raised awareness, mobilized citizens, and inspired active participation, making Mitrovica a strong example of community-driven environmental action in Kosovo.
Themes and Focus
The 2024 edition focused on SDG 14 and was titled “River is Us-Lum Na”, emphasizing the importance of rivers, water conservation, and healthy ecosystems while reinforcing the connection between communities and the environment. Over five days, participants took part in activities designed to raise awareness and encourage participation.
The program included eight recreational and social activities, hiking, cycling, kayaking, yoga, pilates, gardening, and poetry, reaching 215 participants. Four Green Talks gathered 83 participants, and three interactive workshops on river conservation engaged 123 participants. Two Green Movie screenings attracted 150 viewers.
In total, 571 visitors took part in CDF-supported educational and cultural activities. Feedback showed that 86% of participants reported increased awareness of environmental issues, while 46% expressed a stronger personal connection to nature, particularly rivers and local ecosystems. Many participants also highlighted the festival’s role in promoting community engagement and awareness for Mitrovica’s environmental issues.
Building on the 2024 experience, the 2025 edition centered on SDG 15 with the theme “Toxicity,” drawing attention to how pollution, waste, and environmental degradation affect both nature and community well-being. The festival encouraged participants to reflect on visible and invisible forms of environmental harm and to consider shared solutions for restoration.
Over five days, participants joined Green Talks, Green Movies, interactive sessions, and outdoor activities such as biking tours, kayaking, and yoga. The festival engaged communities across Mitrovica, highlighting that environmental issues affect everyone, regardless of social or geographic background.
CDF-supported activities again played a key role in reaching and mobilizing participants. 552 visitors took part in Green Talks, Green Movies, and recreational sessions, surpassing the target of 500. Two Green Talks engaged 29 participants, while three Green Movies—two produced through the Green School Filmmaking Program and one international documentary—reached over 200 participants, exceeding the target by 667%.
Overall, more than 700 visitors participated in CDF-supported educational and cultural activities. Survey results confirmed strong impact: 77.1% of participants reported increased environmental awareness, exceeding the 50% target. Recreational activities, particularly cycling and kayaking, saw significant increases (43.8% and 66.7%, respectively), signalling growing community interest in outdoor and nature-based engagement.
The Impact
Both the 2024 and 2025 editions of Green Festival offered CDF’s implementing partner, 7Arte, the opportunity to strengthen its identity as a leading cultural and environmental organization. By combining education, cultural creativity, and community engagement, the festival not only raises awareness but also encourages citizens to take an active role in environmental protection, planting the seeds for a stronger culture of environmental activism in the Mitrovica region.
The festival’s impact is evident in increased community knowledge and in participants’ reported sense of connection to nature. From river cleaning and ecosystem protection in 2024 to addressing toxicity and land rehabilitation from mining-related waste in 2025, Green Fest demonstrates that providing information on pollution, raising awareness of environmental risks, and involving citizens directly can drive meaningful and lasting environmental change.