Donor:
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), through the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme
Implementers:
Lead applicant: Association “C.E.Z.A.R.”
www.ug-cezar.com
Type of Project:
National
Project Duration: December 2, 2024 – January 2, 2026
Total Budget: 25000 CHF
Scope:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srbac Municipality, Lijevče polje
Main Beneficiaries:
- Local Youth (LY) – the main needs of local youth are possibilities to learn about fire management, traditional practices, and modern techniques as well as opportunities to acquire practical skills in fire prevention and management.
- Local Community (LC) – the main needs of local community are understanding of effective fire management practices to protect their homes, natural resources and agriculture areas, orchards, livestock farms, learning on strategies how to reduce the risk of destructive fires and enhance overall safety, and learning on methods that integrate traditional knowledge with modern approaches for better fire management.
- Local Fire Organizations – their needs are the opportunities to exchange knowledge about traditional fire management practices and integrate them with modern methods, to the LY and LC, through educations, trainings and workshops, as well as opportunities for partnerships with local communities and youth to enhance fire management efforts.
Overall Goal:
The project aims to engage local youth and communities in landscape fire management by merging traditional and modern practices, building local capacity through education, workshops, and collaborations to enhance landscape health and livelihoods.
Expected Results:
Increased knowledge and awareness of local youth – Local youth gained a deeper understanding of traditional and modern fire prevention techniques through targeted education programs, workshops, and seminars.
Improved capacity for fire management – Participants acquired practical skills in landscape fire prevention, including how to combine and apply traditional methods and modern techniques. Youth and community members took on the leadership role in fire management initiatives, contributing to sustainable practices and community resilience.
Preserved and integrated traditional and modern knowledges – Traditional fire management practices are documented and preserved, ensuring that valuable traditional knowledge is not lost. Traditional methods are integrated with modern fire management practices to create a comprehensive approach to fire prevention.
Strengthened community networks – A network of local leaders and fire management practitioners has been established to continue and expand fire prevention efforts.
Improved landscape health and livelihoods – Effective fire management practices contributed to the health and sustainability of local landscapes, promoting the importance of biodiversity and reducing the risk of destructive fires. Improved fire management enhanced local livelihoods by reducing fire-related damage and increasing community resilience.
Designed sustainable education programs – Non-formal educations, trainings and workshops have been designed to be sustainable, with ongoing support and resources for continued learning and implementation.
Current Activities:
Initial planning meetings with local partners, including the Firefighting Association, led to a detailed activity roadmap and foundation for upcoming training and awareness raising activites.
Between March and June 2025, over 250 students from Srbac and nearby villages participated in fire awareness seminars and an advanced training session provided hands-on experience with firefighting tools and procedures.
A youth-led digital campaign shares monthly videos and educational posters across Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, focusing on fire causes and prevention strategies.
On May 5, the project celebrated World Firefighting Day with live demonstrations and volunteer-led activities at Srbac High School, showcasing community commitment to fire safety and fire prevention.
These activities reflect the project’s goal to merge traditional and modern landscape fire management practices, empower youth, and build safer, more resilient communities.
This project established a foundation for future initiatives by creating a model for engaging youth and integrating traditional knowledge into landscape fire management.
