Breza hosts Sustainable Winter Bazaar: swapping for a greener future

Participants embraced the “swap” concept, bringing up to four clean, gently used items to exchange for others using a voucher system. Books and toys followed a similar “item-for-item” model, allowing attendees to refresh their libraries and toy collections while fostering community connections. The bazaar also featured face-painting for children, complimentary warm drinks and treats, and relaxing tunes by DJ Memnun Muzaferija, creating warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Breza proudly stands out as the first municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt a sustainable transition plan. Mayor of Municipality of Breza, Vedad Jusić, stated at the event: “Today’s Sustainable Winter Bazaar is a perfect example of how a small community can take significant steps toward a sustainable future. This initiative not only promotes eco-friendly practices but also strengthens community bonds. Events like this show that through collective efforts, we can make a real and positive impact on our environment.”

In addition to being a vibrant community gathering, the bazaar served as a practical demonstration of how sustainable practices can make a difference in everyday life. BiH SuTra Programme Manager, Saša Solujić, emphasized: “In recent years, the rise of mass production and overconsumption has led to a sharp increase in the disposal of goods, from clothing to books and household items, with serious environmental consequences. While the best solution is to reduce consumption overall, the next best step is to ensure that things are reused or recycled. The Winter Bazaar in Breza demonstrates how small, local actions can support this shift towards a more sustainable future. It’s also a great example of how the circular economy can work in practice, giving value to what might otherwise be discarded.”

The event also highlighted the distinction between "end-of-use" and "end-of-life" items, encouraging participants to rethink waste and maximize the utility of items still in good condition. Unexchanged items from the bazaar will be donated to individuals in need through the Center for Positive Practice, further extending the event's positive impact.

The BiH SuTra programme is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). BiH SuTra aims to improve the country-wide approach and national and local capacities to implement efficiently and effectively environmental and sustainable transition policies in BiH. The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the sustainable transition of BiH to achieve the EU’s long-term sustainability goals. 

This event in Breza is a great example of how simple yet meaningful community actions can contribute to a more sustainable future. It not only raised awareness of environmental responsibility but also demonstrated that living more environmentally friendly can be joyful.