Green Reads Wins the UPSHIFT Competition: A Library Built on Sharing

By: Dea Dimitrova, Gloria Todorova, Jana Taseva, Jovana Karova, Sofija Koleva and Tamara Giceva

This figure is a prototype of a Green Reads mini library.

A Simple Idea With A Powerful Purpose

During the UPSHIFT competition, Green Reads won first place. As a result of this achievement, the team earned the opportunity to attend a three-day innovation bootcamp in Strumica. The team members were Sofija Koleva, Monika Ivanova, Jovana Karova, and Gloria Todorova. Although the students completed most of the work independently, they also received valuable guidance from their mentor.

Their idea was a student-led eco-library inspired by the concept “Give a Book, Take a Book.” The library will be placed in the school hall, where it will be easily accessible to everyone. This initiative encourages sustainability through book exchange while fostering a strong sense of community and shared learning. It makes reading more accessible, eco-friendly, and engaging for the entire school community.

Beyond promoting environmental awareness, the project cultivates generosity and intellectual curiosity. With each book exchanged, the library becomes a hub of connection, encouraging students to explore new perspectives and deepen their appreciation for literature and environmental responsibility.

Most importantly, Green Reads demonstrates that learning does not have to be expensive or wasteful. It proves that education, environmental care, and community values can coexist within one simple yet powerful idea.

From Competition to First Place: The Rise of Green Reads

Each year, LEAD organizes the UPSHIFT program, and our school proudly participates in this initiative. Students form teams, attend mentoring sessions, and then begin developing ideas that aim to create meaningful change in their community.

After several months of preparation, teams present their projects to LEAD mentors, who select the winners. The winning team earns the opportunity to attend a Bootcamp and receives 54,000 denars to bring their innovation to life.

This year, around 70 students joined the UPSHIFT club, though only three teams remained in the final stage. After presenting their ideas, Team GREEN READS was announced as the winner.

Their innovation is an eco-library built on the principle “TAKE A BOOK – LEAVE A BOOK.” Anyone who borrows a book must leave another in return. The project aims to motivate young people to read more while reducing waste through the reuse of books. In Macedonia, approximately 12 tons of paper are discarded annually, including 300 tons of books. While this may seem small compared to overall paper waste, it still contributes significantly to environmental pollution.

An additional eco-element enhances the project: a mini eco-garden placed on top of the bookshelf, featuring succulents. Indoor CO₂ levels can range between 1500–2000 ppm, which is considered unhealthy. Succulents absorb approximately 0.4–0.5 grams of CO₂ daily. In larger spaces, one succulent can absorb up to 2000 ppm per day, meaning that four succulents could significantly contribute to improving air quality.

Around 150 students from schools across the country participated in the Bootcamp, presenting their creative innovations. The event provided students with the opportunity to receive feedback, learn new skills, build friendships, and share their vision for a better future.

At the Bootcamp, the first day focused on creating an action plan and carefully allocating the 54,000-denar budget. On the second day, teams built prototypes using materials such as cardboard, wood, and other creative resources. On the final day, all prototypes were showcased at the Innovation Fair, attended by mayors and investors eager to support young innovators.

Now, Green Reads and their assigned LEAD mentor are working to implement the project within the allocated budget. The eco-library will soon be placed in the school hallway, where the team hopes it will inspire a lasting reading culture. In the near future, they also plan to organize an eco-action campaign to collect and reuse old books for the library.

Reflecting On The Experience

To better understand the impact of this experience, we asked participants to share their reflections.

“This venture is an excellent way to develop communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity,” said Jovana Karova, a second-year student. “It also gives young people insight into how real-world initiatives are planned and implemented.”

Gloria Todorova, also a second-year student, shared, “The UPSHIFT experience was incredible. It gave us the opportunity to meet many young people and gain valuable knowledge and skills. Everything was very well organized.”

The Impact and Future of Green Reads

The mini library encourages students to read more and actively share knowledge with one another. It demonstrates that small, student-driven ideas can create meaningful change within a school community. Many students reported feeling excited, inspired, and proud to contribute to the initiative. Through this experience, participants developed teamwork, responsibility, and a commitment to creating a positive and sustainable school environment.

The school plans to continue developing the mini library and encourage more students to donate and exchange books. Organizers believe this will strengthen the school’s reading culture and create a more welcoming, collaborative environment.

Initiatives like Green Reads remind us that learning extends beyond the classroom. It thrives in shared spaces, community efforts, and student leadership. In the coming months, students look forward to watching the mini library grow into a lasting symbol of sustainability, cooperation, and the power of young innovation.