The second day of KreNI11, November 28th, focused on co-creation, teamwork, and turning ideas into action. Young participants teamed up with international mentors in a series of interactive workshops aimed at designing community projects based on sustainability, inclusiveness, and enhancing public spaces.
During the morning session, participants explored real challenges in the city of Niš, brainstormed creative solutions, and received hands-on guidance from mentors. This collaborative approach emphasized practical skills, teamwork, and the power of young people to make a tangible impact in their communities.
At the end of the workshops, all teams presented their ideas in the “Showcasing Youth Creativity” session. Each team shared their project proposals, after which a jury selected the concept with the highest potential for social impact. The jury this year consisted of Snežana Andri?, Director of Young Ambassadors; Shaama Sandooyea, scientist, climate activist, and national badminton player from Mauritius; and Loreta, Project Manager at the Center for Nonprofit Law (CLNR) in Romania.
This year, our participants had a wide range of creative ideas in store!
- Lola&Andjelija - Urban Water Retention: Designing rain gardens and green spaces to reduce street flooding, especially around schools.
- Lucky S7VEN - Let the City Bloom: Engaging citizens in cleaning and volunteering activities with gamification and rewards through QR codes.
- ATVSS Team - Oasis of Connection: A safe, inclusive park with surveillance, accessible paths, seating, green areas, and water features.
- Princip - FixNiche: A digital platform for citizens to report city issues like broken roads, safety hazards, and environmental problems, fostering faster responses and community involvement.
- GIRL POWER - EKOmejestalo?: A city-wide platform to track and report pollution, providing real-time monitoring results.
- LIMT Group - Zdravi Niš: Addressing infrastructure challenges, traffic issues, and the lack of connected cycling paths to improve mobility and quality of life.
The winning team was BioBox team with their project aimed at transforming food waste into value. Their solution allows residents to deposit food scraps into BioBox units, track contributions via QR codes, and earn points in the app. Points can be redeemed for building gardens, donations, or reduced maintenance fees. Local waste management services can convert collected food waste into fertilizer, improving urban sustainability and reducing costs.
One of BioBox team members stated:
"Our project was born from the desire to show that sustainable solutions aren’t complicated - they start with everyday habits. We want to make cities cleaner and healthier."
KreNI 11 closed with reflections on collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Mentors and organizers congratulated participants for their creativity, energy, and dedication, encouraging them to turn their ideas into real-life projects.
The conference showcased that young people have the knowledge, courage, and vision to shape the future of Niš. From innovative urban solutions and green initiatives to digital tools for citizen engagement, these projects demonstrate that creativity can be a driver for lasting social and environmental change.
The event concluded in a spirit of gratitude, collaboration, and motivation, leaving participants inspired to continue developing their ideas and contribute to a smarter, greener, and more inclusive city of Niš.
One thing rests assured - Niš is in good hands. :)