CED was born out of the classroom, and we continue to prioritize active learning in all of our activities. We believe that learning continues far outside of the school walls, and some of the most important lessons cannot be taught through traditional education.
Our programs are designed around interactive, experiential activities that develop long-term, comprehensive skills that will last a lifetime. With this in mind, we always design our educational projects with the following core values: respect for people, promotion of welfare, the truth, democracy, justice/fairness, and equality.
Since its inception in 2007, CED has annually organized the “Day of Ecology” on March 21st. This event fosters innovative approaches to ecology, providing opportunities for youth engagement in environmental education and advocacy. It’s a collaborative effort involving CED, the municipality of Tearce, Municipal Enterprise, Eco Flor, and other local organizations.
CED commenced collaboration with the Center for Contemporary Arts in Skopje and the Rural Network Right to Village in November 2012. Together, they engaged the Shar region’s population and activists from Kosovo to advocate for transforming the Shar Mountains into a national park.
In 2013, CED joined a cross-border cooperation network with Kosovo and Albania to safeguard the Shar Mountains and advocate for its national park status. Additionally, seminars were conducted to educate stakeholders on the benefits of protected spaces.
Between 2012 and 2014, CED organized various events and disseminated information to highlight the Shar region’s biodiversity. Strategies included installing informational tables and billboards and engaging schools, media, and the public to raise awareness and garner support for conservation efforts.