The municipalities of Gjorche Petrov and Saraj are facing an escalating environmental crisis due to uncontrolled and illegal waste disposal, open burning of trash, and unmanaged landfills. These practices contribute significantly to air, soil, and water pollution, and pose a serious threat to public health—especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory and chronic illnesses. Despite legal obligations and institutional mandates, enforcement is weak, and citizen reporting channels are either unknown or ineffective.

This initiative aims to tackle the issue by conducting field mapping and community surveys to identify critical pollution hotspots and understand local awareness and behaviors related to waste. A key innovation will be the development of a prototype digital tool (mobile/web-based) that enables citizens to report environmental violations through geotagged photos and videos. The system will be tested and refined to improve institutional responsiveness.

In parallel, an informational campaign and public event will raise awareness, promote citizen responsibility, and generate public pressure for institutional accountability. Community engagement will be central to the process.

Expected results include: a detailed map of high-risk locations, empowered and informed citizens, prototype of a  digital tool for reporting, and stronger momentum for local authorities to take sustainable, systemic measures in environmental protection and waste management. This will lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable solutions and a systemic approach to addressing environmental issues in the municipality.