LocationsCreating Change, One Camp at a Time
August 18, 2026
A mountain camp and an inclusion camp may seem worlds apart. One brings young people closer to nature, while the other creates opportunities for young people with disabilities to connect, learn and thrive. Yet both share the same purpose: creating spaces where people feel they belong, discover new possibilities and become active members of their communities. And both are done as part of the ReLOaD3 - Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3, supported by the European Union.
In Kavadarci, participants explored the biodiversity of Kozhuf Mountain and discovered the importance of protecting the natural environment. In Aerodrom, young people with cerebral palsy found something equally valuable: a welcoming space for friendship, creativity and personal growth.
Different in focus, both initiatives show how local action can improve lives and strengthen communities.
Discovering nature, protecting the future
For twins Marija Taseska and Mateja Taseski, the eco camp on Kozhuf Mountain was a first, but certainly not their last.
Neither had taken part in a mountain camp before. Over three days, what began as a new experience turned into something they could see becoming part of their lives. Hiking, camping and spending time surrounded by nature helped them discover a new passion - one they hope to continue exploring in the future.
Marija Taseska and Mateja Taseski
The eco camp was organized by the civil society organization Zelen Breg as part of the project “Promotion, Preservation and Protection of Mountaineering Culture in the Municipality of Kavadarci.” Through hiking, environmental activities and discussions about mountain ecology and responsible mountaineering, participants were encouraged to experience nature while also thinking about their responsibility to protect it.
For participant Menka Stojanova, that responsibility extends beyond the present generation. Her message was simple - “we have to protect Kozhuf because it is not ours alone, it belongs to our children” Menka says.
Menka Stojanova
For young biologist Neda Raposka, the camp was an opportunity to experience the biodiversity of Kozhuf firsthand. “What fascinated me most was the biodiversity I was able to see in such a short period of time. I had the feeling that I was surrounded by truly untouched nature,” she says.
But mostly, she was encouraged by the participants themselves, from everyone taking part in recycling activities on an equal footing to the care they showed for their surroundings. “It made me proud to see how much people appreciated nature and how genuinely interested they were in learning about ecology and protecting the environment.”
Neda Raposka
Each of the participants, ranging between 5 and 77 years old, left the camp with something different: a new passion, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper appreciation of nature. Sometimes, protecting nature begins simply by giving people the opportunity to experience it.
The camp is part of a broader effort by Zelen Breg, in cooperation with the Municipality of Kavadarci, to improve quality of life through outdoor recreation, environmental protection and community engagement. The project also supports the development of safe and marked hiking trails, making local natural areas more accessible while promoting their responsible use and preservation.
A camp where everyone belongs
In municipality of Aerodrom, a very different camp created its own moments of discovery.
For Milena Matevska, one of them began with a table covered in small pieces of colorful tiles.
When the mosaic workshop at Camp of Smiles started, Milena was convinced it was something she would not be able to do. Spasms in her hands make handling small objects difficult, so she usually avoids them. “I told myself, there is no way I can do this. But when I saw the others putting glue on the trays, I thought: I can do this too.”
With encouragement from one of the facilitators, Milena chose yellow tiles and began working on her mosaic.
“I took one piece, glued it on, and it felt good. The fear disappeared and I wanted to continue. When I saw there was no more space for pieces, I realized I had finished it. I was so happy. I couldn't believe that I had made it myself.”
That moment captures what Camp of Smiles was designed to create: opportunities for people with cerebral palsy to participate, try something new and discover what they can do in a supportive environment.
Implemented by the civil society organization Sozvezdie in cooperation with the Municipality of Aerodrom, the project provides young people over the age of 18 with cerebral palsy with opportunities for meaningful leisure time, socialization, psychosocial support and recreation.
Milena Matevska
Participants take part in dance, group physical and rhythmic exercises, workshops to prepare a dance performance, mosaic-making and boccia, an inclusive precision ball sport particularly accessible to people with physical disabilities.
For Magdalena Boshevska, who facilitated the mosaic activity, the excitement was visible from the moment the broken tiles appeared on the table. Participants looked at the colorful pieces, she recalls, “as if they were precious stones.”
As they experimented with different shapes and colors, hesitation gave way to concentration and curiosity. For Magdalena, it showed how the right activity and support can open new possibilities.
Local ideas, lasting change
Although the two camps address different needs, they are united by the same belief- that meaningful change begins at the local level.
On Kozhuf Mountain, this means helping people experience nature, understand its value and take responsibility for protecting it. In Aerodrom, it means removing barriers and creating opportunities for young people with disabilities to participate, connect and discover their abilities.
Both show what can happen when local organizations understand the needs of their communities and have the opportunity to respond with ideas of their own.
Through the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3), funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, municipalities and civil society organizations are working together to turn local ideas into lasting impact across North Macedonia.