Hydro Heroes: Youth Innovation for Environmental Protection in Pirot

UPSHIFT, a global initiative empowering young people to tackle challenges in their communities through social entrepreneurship and innovation, has enabled six young people from Pirot to contribute to environmental protection. These enthusiastic youth, known as the Hydro Heroes team, created an alarm system to alert citizens about rising water levels in the Nišava River.

“Climate change is causing the Nisava River to become highly torrential, leading to frequent floods. As classmates with a shared entrepreneurial mindset, we developed this device together and applied to UPSHIFT, hoping to raise awareness about our device and the potential dangers the river poses,” explains 19-year-old Mihajlo Tosic, representing the six-member "Hydro Heroes" team from Pirot.

Mihajlo, Mateja, two Jovans, Nemanja, and Isidora participated in the UPSHIFT workshop in Nis, southern Serbia, at the beginning of July, where they presented their idea—a DIY alarm system designed to alert citizens and swimmers of rising river water levels. Out of ten teams, five received financial and mentoring support to bring their ideas to life, including Hydro Heroes.

For Mihajlo, environmental activism is a clear part of his future. He now understands just how much climate change can affect people’s lives and health. He’s proud to be part of a team that has created something beneficial for the people of Pirot.

“We designed a device equipped with an ultrasonic sensor to measure water levels. It operates on a solar panel and includes a built-in battery for use at night or when the solar panel is temporarily non-functional. The device features a visual alarm to alert people when the Nisava River is unsafe for swimming,” he says.

Mateja Simic, who joined the project partly due to his love for fishing on the Nisava, explains where Pirot residents can access the data captured by the device .

“The device measures data in real-time, including water level, air temperature, and humidity, and sends it here. The website is accessible to everyone at any time from both phones and computers,” says Mateja.

The young heroes have installed their first device on the "Love Bridge," with two more planned for the Railway Bridge and the Big Bridge.

The PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature Programme, jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia—UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP—aims to improve citizens' quality of life by enhancing local governance, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The programme also raises awareness and builds knowledge about climate change, promoting youth-led initiatives. This is achieved on the ground through UPSHIFT, a global program for adolescents and youth that fosters climate activism, connects social entrepreneurship with innovation and teamwork, and empowers young people to address challenges in their communities.

Nemanja Djordjevic says they learned about UPSHIFT from their teacher at the Technical School. They didn’t hesitate to apply, he adds, because the idea is both good and practical.

“We’re raising awareness of potential risks on the river. We had a feeling we had a shot at winning because the idea is unique. We joined this project to set an example for other young people, encouraging them to follow our lead and create new projects that help protect the environment. It’s vital for youth to take part in environmental protection and initiatives that preserve their surroundings, as it lets them contribute to their town, community, and country,” says Nemanja.

Hydro Heroes, a team of six, had been working together on student business projects throughout high school, explains Isidora Zivkovic. The UPSHIFT project introduced them to a new challenge.

“We worked together as a team, brainstorming and building on each other’s ideas. The workshop was fantastic, especially since some of us were speaking in front of an audience for the first time,” says Isidora.

Their mentor, Dusan Stankovic, a communications specialist, guided them from idea to the alarm system now installed on the bridge. Dusan, passionate about mentoring young people and team development, shares his thoughts on Hydro Heroes.

“What I can say about my Hydro Heroes team is that they are truly enthusiastic young people, defined by their persistence. My role in the project was to guide them through the process and help them understand the deeper social impact of their work, encouraging them to embrace social responsibility. I also supported them in applying methodology so they could focus not only on technical aspects but also on running an effective campaign,” Dusan explains.

According to UNICEF surveys conducted via the U-Report online platform, 92% of young people are willing to change their habits and lifestyles to help protect the planet. Isidora agrees but adds that young people often lack the confidence and support needed to take practical action.

“I believe young people should apply for workshops like UPSHIFT or any project that can benefit their local community. It’s important. We’re young, we can enact change. Our future is important. We are an example of young people who succeeded in bringing their project to life, and I believe that any young team with a good idea can succeed too,” she says.

These young heroes—future programmers, engineers, and entrepreneurs—show that community care goes beyond words or social media likes. They prove that our future is already in good hands with those who are the future.

You can also watch the Hydro Heroes story in the video content available on the PRO Programme website.