New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Initiative category

Identify the award category for which this initiative is being submitted
Regaining a sense of belonging

Email user
jasminabosevska@yahoo.com

Basic information
Initiative title
Geological-Cultural Camp MARBLE LAKE

Full initiative Title
Geological-Cultural Camp MARBLE LAKE - Concept of learning in nature and from nature

Please provide a short, catchy description of your initiative to be used in communication towards the public.
Geological-Cultural Camp MARBLE LAKE is an outdoor educational camp, is grassroots initiative, that has a multidisciplinary character > creative, scientific, social, cultural and more. The concept of this camp is designed for education in nature and from nature, to preserve the natural, cultural, social and ecological identities and values This is the project who transform and revives people's sense of belonging and connection with nature.

What was the geographical scope of your intiative?
National

Where was your intiative implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
North Macedonia

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
MUNICIPALITY PRILEP, NORTH MACEDONIA AND REGION PELAGONIA

Does your initiative address mainly urban or rural issues?
It addresses urban-rural linkages

Does your initiative refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your initiative benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
Yes

Which fund(s)?
* Geological-cultural camp MARBLE LAKE , 2019/2022 * Strand C: “New European Bauhaus Education Champions” 2022

Has your initiative won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Does your initiative has a minimum level of maturity? The minimum level of maturity is exemplified by stakeholder/ initiative promoter commitment to implement the initiative in practice and a clear methodology /approach.
Yes

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organization, in partnership with other organisations
If you are submitting this intiative as part of a group, please provide the contact details of the other individuals or organisations
- Name of the organisation(s): Citizens Association for Motivation and Development of the Communication “Dialogue” Skopje, R.North Maceconia
  Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation
  First name of representative: Jasmina
  Last name of representative: Bosevska
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: orth Macedonia
  Function: president
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: address. Orce Nikolov 81 /3-2
  Town: Skopje
  Postal code: 1000
  Country: North Macedonia
  Direct Tel: +389 71 313 926
  E-mail: jasminabosevska@yahoo.com
- Name of the organisation(s): Scout Group Phoenix
  Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation
  First name of representative: Nikola
  Last name of representative: Miloshevski
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: orth Macedonia
  Function: president
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: address: Pane Taleski 47 b
  Town: Prilep
  Postal code: 7500
  Country: North Macedonia
  Direct Tel: +389 78 423 707
  E-mail: nikola.miloshevski@outlook.com
  Website: http://scout.org.mk/%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%82%d0%bd%d0%b0/?fbclid=IwAR3Ht0tG-SLzNToVYflx0V8WAaMsW50Q_sm19ho34HZ92A_4e-VkgUgQnsk
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064349633077
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMuxTDA4go8
- URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2c14I-zM1E
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peEq1AJibvo&t=3s
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/iofeniks_sgphoenix/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): https://www.facebook.com/iofeniks
In case my initiative is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my initiative in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Social Media

Description of the initiative
Please provide a summary of your initiative
Seven years ago, interesting information sounded in the media about the turquoise lake that appeared among the giant marble blocks in the marble quarry, which is located on the hill above the village of Belovodica in Prilep, R.N. Macedonia. The lake between the giant marble walls completes the beautiful natural/geological landscape and complements the historical, cultural, and traditional components related to the marble of this place. In Ancient time, sculptures and monuments were made of this marble in the region Pelagonia. Some of the monuments can be seen in the Museum of Prilep, and in the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia. Today, from Belovodica,s marble, many world objects have been mad, including in Dubai, China, Turkey, Germany in the White House in Washington, Tag Mahal, and more.
As we have been committed to the grassroots initiatives for years, proud of our cultural and natural heritage, this information resonated strongly in our minds. In 2019, our Scout group "Phoenix", entered the "time machine" and with great passion started the explore the natural and cultural potential in this region as a great link on the grassroots of belonging and connection, and how we can help in the action of connecting people with nature.

The marble mining company, Uni Marble, which manages this marble quarry, as a socially responsible company, has agreed to cooperate with us in order we to create a educational camp for youth which will be educational, transformative, and inclusive, and will promote the concept of Learning in nature and from nature.
The main goals of this camp are:
- To conduct educational workshops for development of skills in the field of geology, botany, design and art (using recycled marble),sport and more.
- To be a place that will inspire and connect all those who love nature and want to get involved in the activities of the concept of Learning in nature and from nature, an will be an example that will create a network

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with 5 key words.
Environment

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
Education, Mentorship

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
Climate Awareness

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
Transformative

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
Circularity

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of sustainability and how these have been/will be met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
*Education- Concept of learning in nature and from nature is a generator that connects all other actions and disciplines:
 Transformation of a location that connects people with nature and revives a sense of belonging and connection, a motive for education and capacity development. The creation of the education workshops, garden and the outdoor art gallery from recycle marble at the beautiful unique location of nature - Marble lake, as a place of belonging and connection, development, inclusion, protection of the nature and connects several disciplines (geology, culture, ecology, sports, mental and physical health, entrepreneurship...)
 Recycling: A large part of the project's activities, ideas, now and in the future, is dedicated to the circular economy - the use of recycled marble. At the Marble lake site, we started the design of recycled marble garden (we designed the first module), which we planted with local plants. In the art/design workshop that we organize there, we made two marble mosaics, and and we set up the outdoor art gallery which will continue to grow in the future. This transformation of the Marble Lake location is a kind of outdoor school welcoming to all those who love nature, and they will want to join us in the educational activities and cherish a sense of belonging and sustainability to nature.
 Development: The marble industry in the Prilep region is a potentially essential branch, and human resources are in short supply. By involving young people in activities related to marble, it is a benefit for the marble business sector, in direction of developing the educational and entrepreneurial capacities.
 The movement in the Marble lake stimulated movement in the village of Belovodica , which is located under the marble lake hill. People see potential in their village; begin to revive abandoned agricultural fields. We already have contact with some local residents and the plan of our project is to develop the cooperation

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
The Marble Lake location in itself represents a unique aesthetically designed phenomenon of nature, and the human hand through a precisely defined, professional method of geological intervention, complemented the beautiful geometrically shaped design. And the appearance of the lake is the voice of nature for the preservation of the aesthetically formed whole of this beautiful landscape that needs to be preserved and nurtured to exist as a place to move along the grass routes, a place of belonging - local and global. Our project, which is designed precisely in this direction, represents sustainable solutions that aim to shape the future of preserving the natural and aesthetic values of this place, in which the role of people and their responsible approach - educational, transformative, developmental, is of key importance in maintaining a sense of belonging between the two parties - nature >< people. The nature of this place, which is connected with historical, cultural, social aspects, is a special inspiration for education and progress of human intellect, and with our project activities in this location (learning in nature and from nature, creating gardens from recycled marble, art/design workshops and an outdoor gallery ), we provide a place for intercultural and intergenerational dialogue that will follow the grassroots of belonging.

Humans as a being belong to nature and is obliged to treat nature correctly, to ensure the circulation of the sustainable principle humans><nature. In our project it means providing functional educational activities in which people will participate to preserve the natural and aesthetic values of this locality which will ensure its belonging to nature, sustainability and development of the capacities, which are the goals of this project. We follow the path of aesthetics that forms nature itself, and in this direction is the implementation of botanical and artistic activities that we started on Marble Lake.

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
• Inclusion
 The MARBLE LAKE project is designed for learning in nature and our extensive research into the possibilities of this wilderness location, was the key link to our pioneering venture. A seemingly over-ambitious feat, considering some issues like accessibility to the place -off road ( hiking, or (4X4), or slow drawing by car , lack of infrastructure, etc. But the goals of the project are exactly that –discover the (wild) nature that will inspire, and connecting, full of opportunities of education and inclusion that nature gives us as a teacher who shows us the way of action and awareness for protection of the nature values and belonging. It was this concept with all its challenges that began at the unique location of Marble lake.
 The cooperation with the marble company UniMarble, which provided us support for the realization of the project (and in the future), opened the way for inclusion in our project of young people full of enthusiasm and desire for development and learning, as well as for all those who they love nature as a place of belonging, development and sustainability and want to join in out project activities. .
 The MARBLE LAKE project is an excellent model for connection with the Local Government. The educational concept of the project has - a butterfly effect. The scouts Phoenix, as a result of their activities and concept of work developed in MARBLE LAKE project, are recognized by the Prilep Local Government, institutions in the region, associations, with which cooperation has been developed in various actions focused on ecology, biodiversity, culture.
With the development of our project, the cooperation also develops, this year we plan to cooperate with the Local Government and schools in order to include, present the project and promote the concept of Learning in nature and from nature.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the initiative and civil society have been/will be involved in the initiative and what has been/will be the impact of this involvement on the initiative
Inspiration:
 The Scout group Phoenix, who are the champions of the MARBLE LAKE project, have become a super popular in Prilep and more. The number of young scouts is growing (250 now, in town Prilep with 69 704 inhabitants ), and often invited by the Prilep Local Government and organizations to participate in a many environmental and educational actions in the region, where they promotes the concept of learning in nature and from nature, such as participation in:
 EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK and World Car Free Day. Phoenixes were invited to a conference organized by the municipality of Prilep,
 World Environment Day – Biodiversity Camp v. Vishni, Jablanica Mountain. At the invitation of MED (Macedonian Ecological Society), cooperation was achieved on the topic of biodiversity
 WOSM European Agora
 World Day of People with Rare Diseases – promoted the concept of healthy educational, living habits in nature.
 Clean the mountain – Action for cleaning the mountains in collaboration with few Macedonian organizations (For a cleaner Macedonia)
 Educational camp for young people - cooperation with Rescue Service Zlatov vrv
 Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments Prilep - The educational concept of the MARBLE LAKE project was also recognized by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. Next season in 2023, we are invited to participate in the Archeological Excavation
 European heritage days 2022– We present our project on the competition European heritage makers.
Inspiration:
The story of the project spread among people, our activities posted on social networks were enough to inspire many to discover this locality. Links:
https://www.facebook.com/MKAUSPRIDE/posts/prilep-marble-lake-/3129989233739051/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDRTD4oQjU
https://www.discoveringmacedonia.com/2018/the-b
https://whisper-365.com/2018/10/18/marble-lake/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g12596025-d10696663-R

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the initiative.
The MARBLE LAKE project has been supported by the Ministry of Culture for four years in a row as a project of national interest in the field of visual arts, architecture and design and the support of UNI Marble company as well. The project includes young people scouts from the Scout Association Phoenix who work at the regional level and cooperation in National, Balkan and European level. In 2021, this project was supported by the Slovak Development Agency SLOVAK AID. The members of the Slovak Embassy in North Macedonia were actively involved in the activities of the project, as well as the Prilep cycling association Che. Friends from Germany who were temporarily working in North Macedonia were also involved in the construction and planting of the garden.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your initiative. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was
Geology V.S. Ecology, Biology, History, Culture...: Even in the first researching of the Marble Lake, we knew that these different disciplines, with a well-thought-out plan and strategy, can be put into an excellent balanced interaction.
An expert - geologist, gave us a lecture about the geological phenomenon of marble creation, its use in the past and today, the prospects of the economic sustainability of the marble business, but also about the new challenges for the protection of natural values, about the lack of young people in the marble business . At first glance, when you see the Marble Lake site, you immediately know that except for geologists, it could be a focus for ecologists, botanists, artists, historians, scientists of various fields, adventurers, tourists, photographers, filmmakers… We set up our MARBLE LAKE camp right there on the site of Marble Lake, so that all the different disciplines, with the implementation of our workshops, will have the opportunity to connect and create a new added value to the site as a place of belonging and sustainability.
With the design of the first module of the garden, we have opened perspectives for organizing botanical workshops and research in which we will include experts, collaborations, organizations.
By including the art and design of this site (garden design, recycled marble art gallery), we open a new perspective for a balanced development of this site, to create workshops and lectures, in the field of geology, art, architecture, interior and design , connecting with experts in these fields, developing entrepreneurial skills.

Please highlight the innovative character of the initiative, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the initiative
The MARBLE LAKE Geological-Cultural Camp project, with its Concept of learning in nature and from nature, has a multidisciplinary character that calls for changes and integrates different entities. It includes the private sector, organizations, educational institutions, government institutions, with a vision of implementing values globally along the path of the grassroots. The concept of education, transformation, design from recycled marble, which in a different way affects the development of business opportunities in the region, makes this project innovative.
The Marble Lake location, which still has a business character, with our learning and training programs, we give another dimension of greater sustainability and circularity. We promote a new model of involvement in geological business and education, and economic models that include the philosophy of recycling. With the innovative solution of creating gardens from recycled marble, we open new green ways to protect natural values. And with the innovative solution of setting up an art/design workshop with recycled marble and launching an outdoor art/design gallery, it makes this site valuable with promising educational and entrepreneurial potential and a place of inclusion, driven by the ether of nature that reaches the human senses

Please describe which elements of your initiative could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and contexts. This may involve, for example, aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings, etc.
The methodology of the concept Learning in nature and from nature is applicable for replication or transfer to other locations. The methodology of the project is based on several aspects:
*Light motif - at least two that connect (The light motif could be from nature, culture and tradition, history, or all together)
*Thorough research (of each light motif separately, and their connecting )
*Multidisciplinary and connectivity
*Strategic planning
*Network (direct and indirect collaborators and inpacts)
*Recycling
*Transformation and sustainability
*Processes and products (workshops, physical evidence), belonging and sustainability
*Butterfly effect (impact on the environment, encouragement and deeper development, and connection at the local, regional, national and global level)

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your initiative.
*Light motif: The methodology of approach in the initiative always starts with the choice of the light motif that guides us throughout the project. In our MARBLE LAKE project, it is the turquoise lake and its creation, marble as a geological phenomenon and its creation, the cultural aspects of marble in the past and today, biodiversity and the natural environment and connecting all of them that further creates the method of multidisciplinary of the project.
*Thorough research: The method of thoroughly researching all light motifs that we want to include in the project is key to developing the multidisciplinary character and strategic planning of the project. Our research was in the direction of researching the biodiversity of the locality, the environment and the capacities of the surroundings of the Marble Lake, where we discovered great opportunities for the revitalization and development of this locality. It is a place rich in water and with wonderful climatic possibilities for the development (or revival) of agriculture.
Above the village of Belovodica rises the hill with the marble resource and the unique turquoise lake which is the driving force of our project, and at the foot of the village there is a small lake intended for fishing tourism. There is a shepherd's/goat cheese farm in the neighboring village, and the archeological site of Stibera is located few kilometers from Marble Lake. All these aspects are part of the strategic planning of our project for the development of this locality and region.
*Network: The methodological approach of creating a network has several stages, because we start a project from zero base
>First phase - cooperation with UNI Marble company and a Phoenix Scouts, setting up the camp and first results
*Development the network: >The second phase is establishing cooperation with donators, Local government, institutions, experts, business sector as a catalyst for implementing the project growth

Please explain what kind of global challenges the initiative addresses by providing local solutions
*Healthy ecosystems are at the heart of human development, underpinning social well-being and economic growth. Through solutions based on nature, such as sustainable management and protection of nature, with this project we help to revitalize green economic paths, the belonging of human to nature, the development of science, education, the exchange of experiences and knowledge. Geology, biodiversity, art/design, agriculture, sports, fisheries, tourism are topics that are the focus of the project's development activities and research.
Geology, underground water, biodiversity are topics that are of particular global importance, valuable for communicating with the world, exchanging experiences and knowledge, expertise and cooperation with experts, associations that we plan to develop in our project activities.

Please detail the scope of progress in the implementation of the initiative. This can include already demonstrated results/outputs related to the chosen Prizes category, and the already achieved benefits from the initiative for direct and indirect beneficiaries. This can also include a development plan of the initiative, with a particular attention to the steps envisaged in the year following the application, and including envisaged results and benefits from the initiative
*The MARBLE LAKE geological cultural camp has been set up
• Direct benefits
 Strategic collaboration with the business company UNI MERBER has been established for a long-term
 Strategic collaboration with scout champions PHOENIX in the long-term
 The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia and has co-financed the project for three years in a row
 Slovak Development Agency SLOVAK AID – donation 2021
 Signed collaboration with the Prilep Museum and Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments
 Signed collaboration with the Natural Pharmacy MATIJA
• Indirect benefits
 Popularization of Phoenix Scouts at the local, regional and national level by promoting the Concept of learning in nature and from nature
Increasing the image of the company UNI Marble and the export capacity of marble
 Revitalization of the village Belovodica in Prilep
• Development plan
 In 2023 we will expand the network of cooperation at the institutional level, schools, organization.
 We are planning to start a campaign, and organize a forums in schools in Prilep for the presentation of our MARBLE LAKE project, with the goals of greater inclusion of the yang people and adults in our activities in our camp and actions related to nature, environment, belonging and sustainability, and grassroots.
• Activities in the MARBLE LAKE camp 2023
 Botanical workshop with expert (topic-medical plants, and making the first herbarium (which will further be a tool for presenting Marble lake biodiversity in schools), planting the garden with the new plants
 In spring 2023, we will participate in an archaeological excavation
 Camp: We will build the camp with new contents from recycled trees: benches, panel/board, easel
 Art/Design Workshop: For outdoor art gallery, in June we will design a new piece of art from recycled marble
 Bike of road MARBLE LAKE

Please provide documents that demonstrate the maturity level of the initiative and commitment to implement the initiative in practice (e.g.: evaluation report, final or mid-term initiative report, certification, publications, building permit, grant agreement, letter of support, partnership agreement, etc.)
PDF
PDF
If relevant, please describe how your initiative contributes to developing new competences, especially in the context of the European competence framework on sustainability.
A wide range of initiatives and actions on the environment and sustainability are taking place in education and training. We have designed the MARBLE LAKE project and are working precisely in the direction of the European competitive sustainability framework
 Equips students and educators with knowledge, skills, approaches needed for a greener and more sustainable economy and society
 Conducts research workshops on biology, botany, geology, archaeology, art and design and more
 Influences transformative changes in education, human awareness and belonging to nature, conducts sustainability and green transition trainings
 It has a multidisciplinary character and their connection
 Creates workshops that have a social, economic and entrepreneurial impact
 Cooperates with institutions, state authorities, organizations, as a catalyst and support in the creation of a sustainable society
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images or visual representations of your initiative to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below.
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

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Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed initiative has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the initiative and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their initiatives, initiative, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted initiative, initiative is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes