PEARL of Prespa (Preserving Eco-Apples & Reviving the Lake of Prespa
The Local Challenge
Prespa, a cross-border region in North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece, faces severe ecological and social pressures. Unsustainable apple farming with heavy pesticide use degrades soil and water quality, while deforestation and over-extraction lower Lake Prespa’s water levels. Biodiversity, livelihoods, and community resilience are under threat, compounded by youth emigration, unemployment, and an aging population. As villages empty, both cultural traditions and ecological knowledge risk disappearing. The urgent challenge is to reconnect young people with their environment, foster sustainable practices, and empower residents to protect the fragile ecosystem that sustains them.
The Initiative
PEARL of Prespa—Preserving Eco-Apples & Reviving the Lake of Prespa—uses the library in Resen’s historic Saraj building, part of the Center of Culture “Dragi Tozija,” as a hub for learning, creativity, and action. In partnership with schools, NGOs, farmers, and the municipality, the library hosts training workshops on organic apple cultivation and composting, intergenerational eco-talks, cultural exhibitions, and youth-led clean-up campaigns. Eco-art installations by the lake and the “Prespa Lake Guardians Club” inspire activism, while a digital platform gathers stories, skills, and community knowledge to encourage collaboration and raise awareness of Prespa’s fragile ecosystem.
What’s Next?
PEARL of Prespa engages youth, women, and the elderly as active contributors to sustainable futures. Young people gain ecological knowledge, creative skills, and practical experience in sustainable agriculture. Women develop opportunities in eco-food production and tourism, while elderly residents share traditional wisdom, strengthening intergenerational exchange. By positioning the Saraj library as a cultural and ecological hub, the project restores hope, reduces isolation, and fosters resilience. Prespa’s residents are empowered to protect their lake, revive eco-friendly farming, and create a more sustainable and prosperous community in their homeland.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
