SB26 CC – The Ecological Centre “Radulovački”

A creative and highly engaging workshop was organized at the Ecological Centre Radulovački in Sremski Karlovci, combining a “photo safari” activity with the presentation of local sustainability initiatives. The workshop was designed to encourage participants to explore the centre freely, observe their surroundings, and engage with the space in an open and imaginative way.

In the first part of the activity, students were given full access to the premises and a single guiding task: to capture photographs of anything that attracted their attention. This approach encouraged curiosity, spontaneity, and personal interpretation. While moving through the centre, students explored the environment, interacted with different spaces, and experimented with creative and humorous perspectives, transforming everyday details into meaningful visual narratives. The activity allowed them to experience the centre not as passive visitors, but as active observers and creators.

The second part of the workshop focused on collaborative storytelling. Using the photographs taken by students, the hosts constructed a collective “collage of stories” about the Ecological Centre. Each image became a starting point for reflection, dialogue, and interpretation, gradually forming a broader narrative about the centre’s mission, values, and activities. This storytelling approach proved to be an effective educational method, combining visual expression with critical thinking and communication skills.

Through this process, participants gained insight into the work of the Ecological Centre Radulovački and its multifaceted role in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable development. The presentation highlighted how ecological initiatives can be closely connected with social and political engagement, community support, and activism. Special emphasis was placed on the principles of the circular economy, as the centre integrates recycling practices, sustainable planning, and partial self-financing through its own activities.

The Radulovački team demonstrated how it is possible to develop a socially and ecologically relevant institution even with limited resources, emphasizing innovation, commitment, and community involvement. Their example from a small provincial town such as Sremski Karlovci showed that meaningful environmental and educational initiatives can be successfully implemented outside major urban centres, provided there is vision, dedication, and collaboration.

The workshop offered participants a valuable combination of experiential learning, creativity, and environmental education. By blending photography, storytelling, and sustainability themes, it encouraged students to think critically about their surroundings and to better understand the role of individuals and communities in shaping a more sustainable future.