During the last months we have been visiting all Europe Houses (Tetovo, Veles, Kriva Palanka, Strumica, Bitola, Struga and Skopje) in North Macedonia to present our story about GENERALKA WEEKEND and SONCHEVA GORA.
We came packed with numbers and statistics, but also with anecdotes from organising 5 years this event that grew into one of the biggest events in our country.
With all the constructive feedback and positivity that we have received during these presentations, we are looking forward to make ourselves dirty and clean for the next 5 years 🙂
The event, organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy in Skopje, gathered experts in waste management and high-level government representatives to discuss opportunities for sustainable employment and the transition towards a circular economy.
Mr. Andreas Opelt, Board Member and COO of Saubermacher, provided an insightful overview of the wide range of green job opportunities the waste management sector offers — from site workers and drivers to operators of specialized equipment, chemists, researchers, administrative staff, and managerial positions. He emphasized the transformative potential of the circular economy, stating that “the green transition and implementation of circular economy, according to the most recent studies of an Austrian university, will produce substantially more and better-paid green jobs than if we don’t implement it. Ecology drives the economy, and innovation endures the domestic market!”
Mr. Opelt also presented the current state of operations at Saubermacher Tetovo, highlighting benefits for employees, future development plans, and new opportunities the company envisions in North Macedonia. He further underlined the importance of advancing through the key phases of the waste management process in order to apply circular economy principles and achieve an environment worth living in.
Representatives from Man & Mountain Skopje, Mr. Hannes Jaekl and Ms. Gordana Sofija, shared the success story of “Generalka Weekend” – the largest eco-initiative in North Macedonia, organized annually for the past five years. They stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders – central and local government, state institutions, NGOs, and academia – to raise awareness about waste management and environmental protection.
Mr. Vaitkus Zygimantas, representing the European Investment Bank (EIB), reaffirmed the Bank’s readiness to support serious initiatives and projects in the field of waste management in North Macedonia, noting the strategic importance of such efforts for the country’s sustainable growth.
In the concluding discussion, participants agreed that the waste management sector holds significant potential for green job creation but stressed the need for strong commitment and support from authorities, as well as closer cooperation between all stakeholders – including citizens – to achieve long-term environmental and social benefits.
We are very proud that the Arnold Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative published ZELENA SONCHEVA (GENERALKA WEEKEND | SONCHEVA GORA) on their website as an outstanding climate action! Together we can do it!
THE MOST MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION – “GENERALKA WEEKEND” IS OVER WITH A RECORD OF 55,627 VOLUNTEERS AND OVER 645,000 KG OF WASTE COLLECTED
A record participation of 55,627 volunteers and more than 645 thousand kilograms of waste collected on the territory of all municipalities in the country – these are the results of this year’s, fifth anniversary environmental action “Generalka Weekend”, which took place from May 9 to 11. The three-day action involved more than 600 government and non-governmental organizations and institutions, with logistical and partner support from a large number of companies, united in a common goal for a cleaner and healthier Macedonia.
The main strategic partner of “General Weekend” for the fourth year in a row is Pivara Skopje, and it also has support from the official partners: Pakomak, Nula Otpad, Sparkasse Bank, EVN Macedonia, Makstil, Bucim Borov Dol, Saubermacher and Kostal. The action, which is organized by Man & Mountain, was also supported by ZELS and the Red Cross of the Republic of Macedonia.
According to the results, this is the most massive and most successful eco-action in the country.
“I welcome the initiative “General Weekend” as the most massive volunteer action. We, as the Government and as the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, support all actions that show strong initiative, strong will, inclusiveness and a desire to be part of the changes that will enable a better future for us and for future generations. On our path to Europe, we should behave in a European way. The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning is actively working on establishing a system of integrated and sustainable waste management,” said the Minister of Environment, Izet Medziti.
As part of the action, the educational initiative “General Weekend – ECO LESSON” was also organized, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science and UNICEF. It involved more than 36,000 students and 1,900 teachers, who contributed to a cleaner environment through various activities in their surroundings, and the results of their work were presented in schools.
Starting in 2021, over 100,000 volunteers have participated in the eco-action “General Weekend”, and more than 1.5 million kilograms of waste have been collected.
“The continuity and growth of “General Weekend” over the years are proof that such eco-initiatives can have a serious positive impact on society. The results achieved in the past five years show that when citizens, institutions and the business sector come together, change is inevitable. The value of this action is not only in the numbers but in building awareness – because this is not just a matter of a clean environment but also of creating a culture of responsibility and care. This action fully supports Pivara Skopje’s commitment to sustainable development”, says Snezana Savić – Dimovska, Director of the Corporate Policies and Sustainability Department of Pivara Skopje.
Based on the 10-year memorandum, which the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and National Forests signed with “Man & Mountain” in 2022, it has been agreed that every year after the end of “General Weekend” in November, the second part of the volunteer action called “Sunny Mountain” will be implemented, which is a reforestation action. According to the agreement, for every 10 kilograms of waste collected, the state dedicates one tree from the annual reforestation plans. As a result of the “General Weekend” 2025, in accordance with the agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and National Forests, the next SONCHEVA GORA will be planted in the fall, dedicated to all participants in this courageous and inspiring initiative. “Our agriculture is directly dependent on the quality of natural resources, and every activity that protects the living space also affects the improvement of the quality of the products we receive from nature. We are committed to continuing to support such initiatives that have a long-term effect on society and the environment,” said Borche Serafimovski, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. Within the framework of these afforestation actions, over 125,000 seedlings were planted in various bare locations in the past four years alone: around Lake Mladost in Veles, the village of Qojlija in the municipality of Petrovec, near the megalithic observatory Kokino and in the municipality of Staro Nagoricane.
On the occasion of the five-year anniversary of “Generalka Weekend”, a traveling exhibition – “5 years of Generalka Weekend” – will begin on June 17, which will be displayed in all EU House centers in the country. The traveling exhibition will start in Tetovo, and then travel to Struga, Bitola, Strumica, Veles, Kriva Palanka, and will end in Skopje, in November this year.
“GENERALKA WEEKEND is proof that with dedication and commitment we can create miracles together. Despite all the problems in our country, people are showing that they have the power to rebuild. Gratitude to the volunteers and people in the municipalities,” said Gordana Sofia and Hannes Jaeckl from Man & Mountain.
“General Weekend” is the largest and most powerful civic eco-action in the country, which connects institutions, citizens, youth, companies and the media in a common mission – life in a clean, healthy and green Macedonia.
Vecer Press released the latest article, describing possible future scenarios in Macedonia. This time we wrote about a solution that will create clean air and no waste in our cities. Sounds great? Read more here….
From the 9.-11. May the most massive ecological action on the whole Balkans happens: GENERALKA WEEKEND.
Hand in hand with all municipalities, 600 organisations and institutions, more than 20.000 volunteers and 20.000 pupils from all schools in Macedonia, we prove that change can happen from within our society! Together we clean on more than 500 locations throughout the whole country the waste of the past to create a green future for us and generations to come!
Macedonia is in the heart of the Balkans and its heart is beating strong!
Together we change the path of our country! Together we create our future in a healthy environment for healthy people and a healthy economy!
GENERALKA WEEKEND proves our ability to overcome differences and to define our society by what is uniting us: Our nature – Our cultures – Our will to let this country – our country – shine bright and beautiful!
It is on us to do that – and we do exactly that 🙂
We are very especially grateful that our President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment Mr. Izet Mehxiti, the Minister of Education Mrs. Vesna Janevska, the Austrian Ambassador Mr. Martin Pammer and many more representatives from national as well as international organisations and institutions joined GENERALKA WEEKEND this year to clean one of the most important historical landmarks in our country – the Aqueduct in Skopje – together with the strong support of #zels, #redcross, #volunteercenterskopje and our #police.
Only with the strong support of our main strategic partner Pivara Skopje and our official partners Pakomak, Nula Otpad, Sparkasse Banka, EVN, Makstil, Buchim Borov Dol, Saubermacher and Kostal we were able to supply the whole country with trash bags, gloves, drinks and educational material!
Together with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education we implemented GENERALKA WEEKEND as a subject in schools named “EKO CLASS”. With more than 1.000 teachers and 20.000 pupils this was truly the most important lesson in these times.
MORE THAN 20,000 VOLUNTEERS WILL CLEAN UP MACEDONIA AT THE LARGEST ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT IN THE BALKANS – GENERALKA WEEKEND
On May 9, 10 and 11, the largest annual national waste collection action will take place for the fifth time – GENERALKA WEEKEND (a volunteer action by citizens for citizens),
created by Man & Mountain, together with the main strategic partner Pivara Skopje and the official partners: Pakomak , Zero Waste, Sparkasse Bank, EVN Macedonia, Makstil, Bucim Borov Dol, Saubermacher and Kostal .
The action is also supported by ZELS, the Red Cross and the Ministry of Environment, as well as many well-known public figures. Over 20,000 volunteers will clean our homeland at more than 500 locations in all municipalities across the country, including over 600 organizations, institutions and companies, ecological, civic, sports associations, pensioner organizations, public institutions, local and urban communities, kindergartens, schools, faculties and volunteers, and national parks.
The official opening of this year’s three-day national waste cleanup campaign – GENERALKA WEEKEND will take place on May 9 at the Skopje Aqueduct, starting at 9 a.m. More than 200 volunteers will clean up the area around this extremely important historical monument.
The following are also expected to be present at the Skopje Aqueduct: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment Izet Medziti, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska, President of ZELS and Mayor of the Municipality of Kisela Voda, Orce Gjorgievski, Director of the Corporate Policies and Sustainability Sector of Pivara Skopje, Snezana Savic Dimovska, Austrian Ambassador Mr. Martin Pamer , Mayor of the Municipality of Cair, Visar Ganiu, Secretary of the Red Cross, Suzana Tuneva Paunovska, as well as members of the embassies present in our country, volunteers and several public figures.
With the support of the Ministry of Education and Science and UNICEF, for the first time, GENERALKA WEEKEND will be included in the educational project “Eco Class“.
Students from all schools across the country will be given homework on May 9th to clean their schools together with their teachers and professors, on May 10th students and their families will clean their homes and the area around their homes, and on May 11th students and their families will clean the parks and picnic areas in their surroundings. Their task is to photo-document the cleanup and present the results at the first school class.
Based on the 10-year memorandum, which the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and National Forests concluded with Man & Mountain, every year after the completion of the eco-action GENERALKA WEEKEND, the second part of the action called SONCHEVA GORA takes place in November, which involves afforestation of state land.
For every 10 kilograms of collected waste, one tree is dedicated from the annual reforestation plans. Within the framework of these reforestations , 120,000 seedlings were planted in various locations in recent years: around Lake Mladost in Veles, the village of Qojlija in the municipality of Petrovec, near the megalithic observatory Kokino and in the municipality of Staro Nagoricane.
In the past four years, 1 million kilograms of waste have been collected during GENERAL WEEKEND, over 44,000 volunteers have participated so far, more than 1,000 locations have been cleaned, and 120,000 trees have been planted.
This unique mass environmental event, not only in the country, but also in the entire Western Balkans, sends a powerful and alarming message that pollution has become the biggest enemy for citizens. The entire country is united behind the idea of GENERALKA WEEKEND to emphasize the importance of positive changes and a cleaner environment.
Today Vecer.press released a long interview with Gordana and Hannes from MAM in Vecer Press – one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in Macedonia. They talk about the biggest ecological and social action on the Balkans GENERALKA WEEKEND and other topics about Macedonia and a possible bright future of our country.
From left to right: Hannes, GM KOSTAL Viktor Mizo, Gordana and HR KOSTAL Viktor Dojchinovski
We are very happy and proud to welcome KOSTAL for the second year in a row as an official partner of GENERALKA WEEKEND – the biggest environmental event of the Western Balkans, organised and realised by 80 municipalities, more than 600 organisations and institutions, and supported by the most important companies in our country!
From left to right: Hannes, Minister of Education Vesna Janevska, Gordana
The Ministry of Education and MAM established a three year collaboration within the field of environmental education in our schools. GENERALKA WEEKEND as the main event should also become an educational framework within the curriculum of pupils to deepen topics like circular economy, renewable energy, waste selection and environmental protection. We are nothing less than happy and proud about this collaboration and the attention and efforts our Macedonian institutions are giving to the topic of environmental development and the green renewal of our country! Thank you very much!
