Yandex company, Discover Serbia organization, and the Public Enterprise “Srbijašume” carried out a major environmental and volunteer initiative on Avala, during which 120 volunteers achieved concrete and measurable results in the field of nature conservation, infrastructure restoration, and children’s education.

Although light rain fell throughout the weekend, the unfavorable weather conditions did not stop Yandex volunteers. Together with members of the Discover Serbia team, the participants completed every planned activity, without postponement or omission of any part of the program.

A total of 2,672 CSR points were achieved as part of the initiative, which once again confirmed that a responsible and motivated team can make a significant contribution to nature even when conditions in the field are not ideal.

The following results were achieved during the action:

• cleared six hectares of the Avala area;
• assembled and installed 20 waste bins;
• repaired and painted four pieces of park furniture;
• built and installed one new piece of playground equipment;
• made as many as 60 birdhouses;
• prepared and provided 200 seedlings;
• conducted a Survivor workshop;
• organized an obstacle course for children;
• conducted an ecological workshop for children.

A total of 120 Yandex company volunteers participated in the action, demonstrating exceptional dedication, team spirit, and a readiness to contribute to the preservation of Avala through collective work.

One of the most significant results of the action was the cleaning of an area of as much as six hectares.

Volunteers were divided into teams that removed waste from forest areas, along hiking trails, and in places visited by a large number of excursionists.

In this way, the cleanliness of the space was directly improved, the negative impact of waste on the forest ecosystem was reduced, and more pleasant conditions were created for visitors to spend time in nature.

The installation of 20 new waste bins provided a long-term solution for more responsible waste disposal in high-traffic locations.

Yandex volunteers participated in the repair and painting of four pieces of existing park furniture.

Damaged and worn-out parts were repaired, prepared, and repainted, extending their lifespan and improving the appearance of the area intended for visitors to rest and stay.

A special part of the action was the construction of one new piece of playground equipment.

Volunteers participated in the preparation, assembly, and arrangement of the equipment, which will remain as a lasting contribution to the youngest visitors of Avala.

These activities improved not only the ecological but also the tourist and recreational infrastructure of this extremely popular picnic spot.

One of the most significant and visible results of the action was the creation of as many as 60 birdhouses.

Volunteers assembled, processed, and prepared the houses for installation in accordance with the guidelines of professional services.

The houses provide additional support for birds inhabiting the Avala forest area, especially in parts where there is a lack of natural cavities suitable for nesting.

By installing them, the action gains long-term value, as the results of the volunteers’ collective work remain in nature even after the event concludes.

As part of the action, 200 seedlings were prepared and provided, making an additional contribution to the restoration, preservation, and improvement of forest areas.

All activities related to the planting material were carried out with the professional support of representatives from PE “Srbijašume”, to ensure they were aligned with the needs of the terrain and the rules of sustainable forest management.

Such cooperation between the economy, professional institutions, and volunteers is important because it allows corporate ecological actions to be more than just one-day events, but part of a longer-term process of preserving natural areas.

In addition to ecological activities, a special team and educational program was implemented for the participants.

The Survivor workshop was designed as a combination of team challenges, navigation, communication, and collective problem-solving in nature.

A special obstacle course was organized for children, adapted to their age, which included physical, motor, and team tasks.

An ecological workshop was also held through which the youngest participants learned about:

• the importance of forests;
• the protection of plant and animal species;
• proper waste disposal;
• responsible behavior in nature;
• the role of every individual in environmental preservation.

In this way, the action connected corporate volunteering, spending time in nature, teamwork, and ecological education.

The uniqueness of this action was not only the results achieved but also the conditions in which the program was implemented.

Light rain fell during the weekend. Due to the weather forecast, two other companies, whose actions Discover Serbia was supposed to implement on the same day, decided to postpone their programs.

Yandex volunteers, however, did not give up.

Led by CSR ambassador Ana Ilić, the Yandex team came to Avala ready to implement everything that was planned.

Despite the rain, all 120 volunteers actively participated in the program, and not a single planned part of the action was canceled.

Six hectares were cleaned, 60 birdhouses were made, bins were installed, furniture was restored, playground equipment was built, and all educational and team workshops were held.

Everything that was planned for that day was achieved.

A major role in preparing, motivating participants, and successfully implementing the action was played by Ana Ilić, CSR ambassador of Yandex company.

A CSR ambassador represents an important link between the company, employees, organizers, and partners in the field.

The role of a CSR ambassador is not only to participate in program communication but also to:

• motivate employees to get involved;
• convey the significance and goals of the action;
• connect teams within the company;
• support participants in the field;
• contribute to making social responsibility part of the company culture.

Ana Ilić, through her personal engagement, energy, and support for the participants, showed how important the role of a CSR ambassador is for the success of large-scale volunteer programs.

In weather conditions where it would have been easiest to postpone the action, she, together with Yandex volunteers, showed the determination to carry out the plan to the end.

The Yandex ecological action on Avala was implemented with the professional and logistical support of PE “Srbijašume”.

The “Avala” Forest Administration, within the “Belgrade” Forest Estate, manages the forests and forest land in the Avala area. Cooperation with professional services was of particular importance to ensure all activities were adapted to the real needs of the area and implemented in a safe and responsible manner.

More information about the work of the enterprise, the “Belgrade” Forest Estate, and the Avala protected area is available on the official page of PE “Srbijašume”.

We extend special thanks to the “Belgrade” Forest Estate, whose representatives provided professional support during the preparation and implementation of the project.

We especially thank Zoran Davorija, Director of the “Belgrade” Forest Estate, who greatly assisted in designing the action, defining priorities, and preparing project tasks.

His experience, professional support, and knowledge of the terrain’s needs were of great importance for selecting activities that would have concrete and long-term value for Avala.

Thanks to the good cooperation with the “Belgrade” Forest Estate, the volunteer energy of Yandex employees was directed toward tasks that were needed by the area and that leave visible results after the action’s conclusion.

We extend special thanks to all Yandex company volunteers who responded to the action and showed that rain does not have to be an obstacle when there is good energy, a common goal, and a desire to help nature.

Their perseverance is particularly significant given that the activities took place outdoors, on wet terrain, and in conditions that required extra attention and engagement.

Despite this, participants remained motivated from the beginning to the end of the program.

This action showed that the strength of a team is measured not only by results achieved in ideal conditions but also by the readiness to achieve a common goal when it is harder than planned.

Based on the activities carried out, the number of volunteers, the size of the cleaned area, the infrastructure built and installed, support for biodiversity, and the educational program, Yandex earned a total of 2,672 CSR points.

CSR points are a measurable indicator of a company’s contribution to the community and the environment.

They include concrete results achieved on the ground and make it possible for companies’ socially responsible activities to be monitored, compared, and developed over the long term.

The results of this action confirm that Yandex approaches corporate volunteering not merely as a one-day employee gathering, but as a program with clear goals that leaves a tangible mark in nature.

Avala is one of the most important natural, tourist, and excursion areas in the immediate vicinity of Belgrade.

Its forests have an important ecological, recreational, and educational role, and throughout the year this area is visited by a large number of citizens, families, tourists, athletes, and nature lovers.

According to “Srbijašume”, the Forest Administration “Avala” manages forests and forest land in the territory of Belgrade, while Avala is protected as a Landscape of Outstanding Features.

Due to the large number of visitors, continuous maintenance of the area, renewal of site furniture, installation of waste disposal infrastructure, and citizen education are of particular importance.

That is precisely why the results of Yandex’s action have direct value for nature and practical value for all future visitors to Avala.

Yandex’s environmental action on Avala showed that commitment to a shared goal can overcome even unfavorable weather conditions.

What 120 volunteers left behind:

• six hectares of cleaned area;
• 20 installed waste bins;
• four restored site furniture elements;
• one new children’s play element;
• 60 birdhouses;
• 200 seedlings;
• educational and team programs for children and adults;
• a total of 2,672 CSR points earned.

Beyond the numbers, something equally important remains—a reminder that corporate volunteers can be persistent, responsible, and ready to achieve a goal together even when circumstances aren’t ideal.

Thanks to Yandex volunteers, CSR ambassador Ana Ilić, members of the Discover Serbia team, the Forest Estate “Belgrade”, and PE “Srbijašume”, all planned tasks were completed successfully and in full.

The rain didn’t stop the action. On the contrary, it made its result even more valuable.