EN

Fund’s staff take part in the Environmental Olympics to celebrate Earth Day

24.04.2023.

To celebrate the International Mother Earth Day, the representatives of the Fund joined the initiative of the municipal company form Križevci and took part in the first town Environmental Olympics “Games and Knowledge for a Greener Town Križevci”.

“Križevci is an example of how continuous education of the citizens can achieve high rates of separate waste collection. The Fund has recognised the importance of these activities, and just before Earth Day launched a public call for the co-financing of education projects for proper waste management. The main target group of these programmes should be children. From the earliest age, we have to teach them about a sustainable lifestyle that is not harming the environment, and motivate them to do something that, even though it’s on a small scale, will have a great impact over time and in their future,” said Aleksandra Čilić, the head of the Environmental Protection Sector.
Pupils from elementary schools in Križevci took part in the games, and in various competitions showed their knowledge about proper waste disposal and the importance of preventing climate change. The prize for their efforts and knowledge was the trip to Barać Caves and the newly opened Speleon Centre.
“For a number of years, municipal company Križevci has been actively participating in different educations, lectures and workshops for children and students of all age groups, trying to raise, from the earliest age, their awareness of the necessity to protect the environment and properly manage the waste. As the crowning accomplishment of continuous education, we’ve organised the Environmental Olympics to take these efforts to an even higher level. All finalists have shown extensive knowledge and prowess, and their trip was well-deserved,” said the director of the municipal company Martin Kozjak. 
Mario Rajn, the mayor, was also proud of the Križevci Environmental Olympics. “I’m so pleased that the first contest of this type was hosted by Križevci, and we can really be proud of our green policies and fight against climate change. It is important for the children to internalise the habit of nature protection, because in the decades to come, thy will be the guardians of our home, planet Earth. I’d like to compliment the organisers, and I want to thank our municipal company, which is instrumental in helping Križevci to become a clean, green and energy independent town. I’m also pleased that the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has recognised and endorsed this event, confirming our excellent cooperation,” said mayor Rajn.
Encouraging and optimistic words were said by the mayor of Koprivnica-Križevci County, Darko Koren: “The Eco-Olympics were a very engaging event to celebrate Earth Day. This is the proper way to educate the young so that they become aware of the importance of protecting nature and the environment.”