As a way to bring healthy lifestyles, outdoor activities, and the values of togetherness closer to children and young people, the Mountaineering Club Koritnik from Bileća developed the project "Healthy Lifestyles for Children and Youth."

The project is supported through the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3), funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Municipality of Bileća.

Through hiking excursions, educational workshops, and group activities, children and young people had the opportunity to discover the beauty of the mountains, improve their physical fitness, and build friendships that last far beyond a single trip. More experienced mountaineers have shared with the participants the knowledge they have gained over years of hiking about staying safe in nature, but also about the love for the mountains, responsibility, team spirit, and the belief that the greatest peaks are conquered together.

During the six-month project, children and young people will learn how to pack a hiking backpack, how to hike responsibly along mountain trails, why it is important to know the basics of first aid, and how to leave nature exactly as they found it. Every workshop and every climb bring new knowledge and new opportunities for participants to build confidence in themselves and in one another.

The project will leave a lasting impact beyond this group of young hikers. As part of its implementation, two hiking trails will be improved and clearly marked, educational and information boards will be installed, and rest areas will be arranged. These improvements will enable hikers, recreational visitors, and all nature enthusiasts to continue exploring the natural beauty of this region long after the project has ended.

We believe this is only the beginning of the mountaineering journey for all the project participants. New peaks, new trails, and new friendships lie ahead of them. We hope that they will take away much more than beautiful photographs from every climb - that they will gain a lasting love for nature, healthy lifestyle habits, and the courage to embrace new challenges, and the understanding that the greatest summits are always reached together.