Around 30,000 citizens in Skopje’s most massive environmental action: “Leave an example, not litter”

As Press24 reports, today, September 30, 2026, the most massive environmental clean-up action was held in all of Skopje’s municipalities, under the motto “Leave an example, not litter”. Around 30,000 citizens took to the field — volunteers, municipal workers and mayors, representatives of embassies, international organisations, the Red Cross, pupils, public figures and athletes — turning the day into an unprecedented civic mobilisation for a cleaner Skopje.

As Macedonian media report, the Mayor of Skopje himself, Orce Gjorgjievski, put on gloves, took a black bag and cleaned the City Park — an act that was seen as the symbol of the day. “Let us leave an example that will be followed. Let us create habits that last beyond every action,” the mayor called, according to the reports, turning his call into the central message of the action.

According to reporting by Vecer Press and other Macedonian media, the initiative is not a one-off action: it will be repeated twice a month — not an occasional campaign, but a permanent tradition aiming to turn the city’s cleanliness into a daily habit.

To protect the result of this mobilisation, the mayor has announced the installation of security cameras in public spaces against eco-vandalism and polluters, as viki.mk reports: anyone who throws litter after the clean-up will be recorded and sanctioned.

According to reports by Press24, Vecer Press, Biznis Vesti, 360 Stepeni, Skopje info, +info, Skopje1 and Libertas, today’s action united an unseen coalition — from the municipalities to international organisations — and sent a clear message: Skopje will be an example, not litter.