Students of the University of Sarajevo in the Spotlight of the European REPper Project: The Event “Rethink, Reuse, Revive – Giving New Life to Old Things” Successfully Held

Organized by the University of Sarajevo - School of Economics and Business, and the company ZEOS Eko-sistem, the event titled “Rethink, Reuse, Revive – Giving New Life to Old Things” was held on May 29, 2025. The event brought together students, experts, and company representatives to promote a culture of product repair, sustainable consumption, and the circular economy.

The event was implemented as part of the Interreg Euro-MED project REPper (REPpair PERspective), which is carried out across several Mediterranean countries. The School of Economics and Business is the project’s official partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project aims to encourage a transition towards a more sustainable society by raising awareness of the importance of extending product lifespans, developing green skills among young people, and supporting local initiatives and small businesses in the field of circular economy. Through educational activities, hands-on workshops, and youth engagement in the promotion of sustainable consumption, REPper contributes to building more resilient, innovative, and environmentally responsible local communities.

Key activities featured during the event included:

• The “From Trash to Tech” demo zone, set up in the main hall of the School of Economics and Business, showcased in a creative and innovative way how old and unusable electronic devices can be transformed into new, useful, and aesthetically appealing items—demonstrating in practice the principles of product life extension and upcycling.
• The Q&A session “Challenges of Waste Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina” opened a dialogue between students of the University of Sarajevo and experts from ZEOS, KJKP RAD, and the academic community on key issues related to waste collection and treatment infrastructure, as well as waste reduction through sustainable product use.

Prof. Dr. Almir Peštek, project lead for REPper on behalf of the School of Economics and Business, emphasized:
"REPper promotes a new culture where we don’t discard products at the first sign of malfunction or obsolescence, but instead repair, redesign, and extend their lifespan. Through education, personal example, and hands-on work, we want young people to become drivers of sustainable change in society."

Mahir Bjelonja, Marketing and Projects Coordinator at ZEOS Eko-sistem, stated:
"The conversation about electronic waste is crucial, as this issue impacts our daily lives, environment, and health. Through events like this, we create space for concrete solutions and educate the youth who will make important decisions in the future. Students have shown great interest, which gives us hope that the next generations are ready for responsible change."

Elma Babić Džihanić, Assistant Director at ZEOS Eko-sistem, added:
"This project is important because it connects practice and knowledge—we are bringing together experts and the academic community to jointly define the challenges of waste management in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe such dialogues spark change and empower future sustainability leaders."

Adis Drkenda, representative of KJKP RAD, highlighted:
"In the past two years, the amount of collected packaging waste has almost doubled compared to 2021 and 2022, and more than 250 green islands across the Sarajevo Canton have made selective waste disposal more accessible to citizens."

The event “Rethink, Reuse, Revive” demonstrated how connecting knowledge, practice, and youth can generate sustainable solutions. Through the REPper project, students at the University of Sarajevo have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping a more responsible, greener, and resilient society, ready to face the challenges of the modern age.

The photo gallery is available on SEBS’s social media.

University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business