Šerići, a local community in northeastern Bosnia, near the town of Živinica, is a place where nature meets the strength of community. Today, the headquarters of the Ecological Association “Jezero” is located in this place, led by the enthusiastic and dedicated Amir Tursunović.
Amir Tursunović, born in Šerićan, master of technical sciences, after finishing his studies, decided to stay true to his small town. A decision that, as it turns out, will become crucial for the positive changes that will follow.
When a good friend urged him to move to Živinice, a nearby town, because the living conditions are much better there, he thanked him for the suggestion and said that he had decided to stay in Šerići, but that he would do everything to make the living conditions better. in his small town they become the same or better than in the city. In 2005, he founded the Ecological Association “Jezero” with the desire to initiate changes that will benefit the local community. After 18 years of activist involvement in the local community, he believes that this goal has been achieved.
“I believe that the Šerići are a good example for our young people who, instead of going abroad, should stay in their country, and do everything in their power to make the conditions in our country the same or better than in one of the “promised” countries.”
The previous work of the association – a combination of local and global
The association operates in three interconnected areas: ecology, youth work and community development. The first steps of the association were aimed at solving the problem of waste. Volunteers of the association organized numerous actions to clean rivers and remove wild dumps. This was followed by an initiative for the establishment of organized weekly waste removal, which very quickly became a systemic solution for the entire western part of the municipality of Živinica and beyond.
However, the association is not only focused on solving the waste problem. It expanded its focus to raising awareness about nature conservation. With the support of the local population, they achieved significant results in primary waste reduction .
“More than 80 young people were gathered and activated through river cleaning campaigns. We rewarded the best volunteers by sending them to Youth Camps and various educations for young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. Young people returned to the place with new knowledge and ideas, ” says Amir Tursunović, president of the association.
The youth center, started within the association, became a center of gathering and education. Free education in computing, English and other fields provided young people with the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge. Various sections, including folklore and scouting, were organized to encourage activity and togetherness.
“So we decided to create a Youth Center. We decorated and furnished part of the old social center. We acquired furniture, a blackboard, computers and provided an Internet connection. We organized tours of advanced organizations to see examples of good practice. Our team visited Proni – Brčko, Kult-Gradačac, Teledom-Šekovići, Piinkland – Banovići.
“At the Youth Center, we started free education in the field of computer application, English language, other informal education, etc. We formed a folklore section, which was later registered as a special citizens’ association, the Cultural Art Society “Blue Sailors”. We also formed a scouting section that established cooperation with various associations of scouts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the needs of the Youth Center, we acquired a table tennis table so that the center could also have sports facilities,” says Tursunović.
The engagement of the ecological association did not stop only at the local level. At the end of 2009, EU “JEZERO” completed the accreditation process for work in European youth volunteering programs. This accreditation enabled cooperation with two universities from Turkey. Through several joint projects, 30 volunteers spent an average of two months in Šerići. These volunteers carried out activities in the Youth Center. New ideas came to the place through these interactions, but also the residents of the local community of Šerići sent their ideas out into the world. Tursunović states: ” Through mobility programs, we sent several of our members to Finland and Turkey. This exchange of knowledge and ideas enriched the local community and opened the door to international volunteering.”
We are also witnessing concrete infrastructural changes initiated by this association. The construction of a sewage collector, street lighting, sports fields, children’s amusement parks and other initiatives became a reality thanks to Amir’s efforts and the engagement of association members.
It is gratifying to see how a small community, driven by vision and enthusiasm, can achieve significant change. Amir Tursunović and the Ecological Association “Jezero” provide hope and inspiration not only to Šerići, but also to the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their story indicates that positive changes can be achieved through local initiative, joint work and dedication to the goal. This is an example that young people should take as motivation to stay in their homeland and contribute to its development.
Local ecology and sustainable development
One of the key stages in the development of the Ecological Association “Jezero” was the dedication to the preservation of natural resources in Šerići and beyond. At the very beginning, the members of the association recognized the richness of the local environment – rivers, lakes, swamps, forests…, and decided to act in order to preserve these natural treasures.
River cleaning actions were not only a step towards solving the problem of waste, but also represented a strong signal to the local population about the importance of preserving nature and water resources. These activities not only solved local environmental problems, but also gathered and activated young people in the community.
Through one of the projects financed by the “Mozaik” Foundation, the association began to create a Strategic Plan for the development of Šerić. This document, which was the result of careful consideration and collaboration with local experts, set guidelines for projects that will improve infrastructure and quality of life.
Projects such as the sewage collector, street lighting, sports fields and children’s parks have become an integral part of this plan. This holistic approach to development, where the economic, social and ecological dimensions are taken into account, set Serić on the path of sustainable development.
A completely autonomous water supply solution in the village is particularly authentic for Šerići. During the last five decades, the Šerići have built their own water supply system from local self-contribution. Currently, the construction and expansion of a new plant in the town is underway. The local water supply is managed by a local association of citizens, which supervises and maintains the system itself. The water supply is serviced and run by the residents of Šerić. The water supply system is an example of successful self-organization of the entire town and an example of good practice not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the region.
Through its efforts in raising awareness of energy efficiency and the importance of using renewable energy sources, the association encouraged people to think about environmentally responsible practices. The distribution of energy-saving light bulbs and education on the importance of energy conservation further contributed to the development of environmental awareness in the community. The planting of memorial seedlings ” Tree for Angelina ” in Šerići, through the cooperation of the Tuzla Community Foundation, the KUD “Modrački mornari” and the Ecological Association “Jezero”, contributed to the afforestation and greening of public areas next to the Elementary School “Šerići”. Cultivating the memory of this valuable and virtuous woman, and her contribution to the development of communities, are also part of the vision of the “Jezero” Ecological Association.
Amir Tursunović emphasizes the importance of educating young people about ecology and sustainable development : “ Young people in our country need more opportunities, they need additional knowledge, they need to travel and transfer examples of good practices to our country”, stresses Tursunović.
International cooperation and future challenges
One of the key moments in the development of the association was the registration in Brussels, which enabled international cooperation and exchange of experiences. Members of the association participated in international volunteer projects, creating bridges between Šerić and other communities around the world.
Tursunović points out that EU JEZERO was responsible for the creation of two very important strategic documents for the City of Živinice. These are the Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) and the Energy Efficiency Improvement Action Plan (SEAP). When these strategic documents were made, things became clearer.
” Our further activities were focused on advocating the implementation of the projects that were presented as priorities in these documents. One of these projects is the construction of the most modern center for waste management, which the city of Živinice is building with the municipalities of Kladanj and Banovići. This project systematically solves the problem of waste at the local level, and is presented as an example of good practice at the regional level. In addition, through a partnership project with the City of Živinica, we implemented the Project “Improving the energy efficiency of public lighting in the inner city core of Živinica.” This project was financed by UNDP.
Although exceptional successes have been achieved, Amir Tursunović is aware that the challenges do not end. Through primary waste reduction projects, the association faces new challenges in the form of changing community awareness. Education, communication and constant innovation will be the keys to maintaining the progress achieved.
Furthermore, planning future steps, the association considers how to expand international cooperation and attract funds from European funds. ” We have to make Strategic Plans in which all the steps or projects that we need to do will be defined so that our countries will go unerringly in the direction of prosperity and progress. It will certainly be that way because we have excellent natural resources, smart and hardworking people, and a fantastic location in the heart of Europe,” concludes Tursunović.
With the story of the Ecological Association “Jezero” from Šerić, we are now creating a positive narrative about local initiative, nature conservation and building a sustainable future. Amir Tursunović and his colleagues became an inspiration not only for their community, but also for the whole country as an example of positive action in the local community.
Written by: Ana Vujković Šakanović
This story was written thanks to the generous support of the American people through the “Local Works” program of the American Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID). The author and “Network for Peace Building” are solely responsible for the content of the story. The views expressed in the story do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
