Medina Sokolović Alajmović, a mathematics and IT teacher at the Secondary School Center “Nedžad Ibrišimović” in Ilijaš and a participant in the Learn, Think and Act! training for secondary school teachers and support staff organized a series of engaging activities for over 100 students at her school as part of her local civil initiative Eco-Fashion, intended to raise awareness about environmental protection. With steadfast dedication, Medina and her passionate team of students and teachers put the knowledge and skills she learned during the training to good use. She launched an inspiring initiative that blends creativity, education, and environmental protection.
Through diverse workshops—from sewing courses and eco-friendly soap making to photography and directing—students not only learned about ecology and recycling but also worked on important life skills such as teamwork, creativity, and self-confidence.
“Eco-Fashion is a multifaceted initiative aimed at providing participants with experiential learning experiences in their areas of interest. Through a variety of activities, the initiative aims to improve self-confidence and practical skills while promoting awareness of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. We should all think about the environment, particularly given the significant amount of waste we generate, ranging from industrial technological waste like old computers and gadgets. All this pollutes and endangers our environment. I was deeply motivated to involve as many students as possible in this project, and I wanted ecological awareness to touch the entire school community. Hairdressers and makeup artists contributed, and students gave presentations on environmental protection in elementary schools in Ilijaš. The goal was to gauge how much students know about ecology and how well they are able to integrate knowledge about ecology from various subjects. The third important goal was to promote the recycling yard in Ilijaš, assess how much it’s being used, and raise awareness about the importance of recycling. After all our previous successful events, the final gathering let us showcase the entire project and introduce it to students who couldn’t participate. We also exchanged new ideas for future projects, enjoyed a fashion show, and, of course, enjoyed each other’s company,” said Medina.
During the first semester, Medina developed new skills, methods, and techniques for engaging students through the training course organized by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. She then dedicated the second semester to bringing her and the students’ ideas to life. The Eco-Fashion initiative is the result of a multi-layered approach, with every aspect meticulously planned. From raising individual environmental awareness among students and fellow teachers to encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity and promoting natural beauty, Medina’s initiative is proof of the transformative power of collective action. Medina was supported by her colleague, English teacher Almedina Numić, who also attended the training.
The icing on the cake for all participants was the fashion show – a dazzling exhibition of designs made from recycled textiles. Under Medina’s mentorship, students explored the art of sewing, design, and aesthetics, transforming discarded garments into stunning sets that blend sustainability and style. The fashion show, the culmination of months of hard work and dedication dazzled the audience with its creativity and innovation.
Ultimately, the true measure of success is not only the beauty of the creations but also the lasting impact they have on the community. As the students proudly showed their accomplishments over the course of five months, they not only displayed beautifully scented eco-soaps and creatively recycled clothing, but also inspired the audience to embrace a more sustainable future.
Medina’s story is part of a series of great stories about teachers acting as community leaders and responding to the needs of the children and young people they work with while creating new, interesting learning opportunities for them.
This initiative is implemented in partnership with the association Service Learning – DKU from Ilijaš, with mentoring and financial support provided by the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
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