Elena Petrović, a pupil of the Paraćin Gymnasium, won the award for climate leadership and secured second place in the Climate Box quiz. She demonstrated that innovation can be conceived and implemented even in a bedroom! Her moss experiment, planted in a container – the “Mozarium” project – showed over 12 days that even small, nature-based solutions can have a direct and measurable impact on air quality by reducing carbon dioxide and PM particles in indoor and urban spaces. The idea is based on creating a small, closed ecosystem with moss that acts as a natural CO₂ absorber.

Jelena Jevremović, a pupil of the „IV Kraljevački Bataljon“ Elementary School, received an award for her “Bioreactor” project, which uses algae as natural “air purifiers” because, like trees, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release oxygen through photosynthesis. The bioreactor is made from recycled plastic bottles and reused materials, promoting recycling and reducing plastic waste. The process also produces algal biomass that can be used as natural fertiliser or compost.

At the same time, at the Second International Teachers’ Competition on Climate Change, special recognition for a significant contribution to climate education was awarded to Vesna Aleksić, a French language teacher at „Karađorđe“ Elementary School in Velika Plana.

The four-day conference programme was packed with activities, including panels, workshops, competitions, exhibitions of school projects, and ecological tours in Khao Yai National Park, where young participants learned about biodiversity and ecosystem adaptation to climate change.

“The participation of the Serbian delegation in such an international gathering shows that our pupils and teachers are aware of the importance of introducing climate topics into education, as well as the value of international cooperation and involving young people in addressing environmental challenges”, said Milan Cerovac, Project Coordinator at UNDP Serbia.