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Dear Friends
In this very first newsletter of “Miqtê e Natyrës së Kosovës” (MNK), we would like to take a moment to look back at the year that lies behind us, and glimpse at the path ahead. As you know, 2024 marks the year of our establishment. On March 28th, our seven founders met for the first time. Immediately after that, we started off with our first projects. Today, we have come quite a bit along the way. Here are some of the highlights that marked this year’s journey:
Five Elephants Worth of Garbage
On Earth Day 2024, we started an initiative to separate and recycle household waste from a school and a residential neighborhood in the south of Pristina. Since then, our dear friends from Natyra SHPK and Kosovo Glass Recycling have been coming to pick up the materials – more than 3 cubic meters every month. In less than a year, we have ensured that some 27 cubic meters of raw materials – roughly the volume of 5 African elephants – have been recycled, rather than sent to rot in a landfill. Yes, it’s just a drop in the ocean. But you can’t make an ocean without drops!
Circular Economy for Toddlers
Between April and June, we also took our first steps in working with school children. With 15 kids between ages 3 and 10, we looked into the theory and practice of the Circular economy, learnt about the 3 R’s of waste, planted seeds, made a compost and created lots of beautiful recycling art. And as an (intended) by-product, a dozen parents were educated by their own kids about consumption and waste. A successful blueprint for more!
Carried by Strong Hands
On 7 November, we finally managed to register MNK as a Kosovar NGO. To celebrate, we organized some kick-off events from 24 to 27 November. Among other things, we spent a day with friends and families in the snow to learn about the wildlife of the Sharr Mountains, burnt some calories on TV, and held a launch ceremony in the presence of many wonderful partners and supporters. Missed it? Read Shpetim Selmani’s beautiful piece “Who’s Elektra dhe MNK” (in Albanian) to feel the vibe that carried us through the event! Ever since, we’ve been investing in expanding our network of like-minded people, and in building new partnerships and friendships.
Steep Ascent Ahead
While we could not have asked for a better start for MNK, most of the work is still before us. After spending quite a bit of money from our founders, we need to achieve a balanced budget. This means that we need to find more members and supporters, and obtain project grants from official donors. We have already submitted one grant proposal for an ecology awareness project (fingers crossed!), and more are in preparation. But what we need more than money are enthusiastic people who share our goals and want to use MNK as a toolbox to realize their own ideas. So if you want to make Kosovo a greener place, if you want to support hands-on environmental education and activities with kids, and if you want to support our advocacy for nature and sustainable tourism in Kosovo, then tell us about your ideas or join us as a member!
Thank you for coming along this far – stay tuned for more! We’re looking forward to seeing you around the bend.
Your MNK Founding Team
Arben, Arlind, Bardh, Bujar, Granit, Lili and Sebastian
