From Idea to Reality – ARNO opens its First Repair Center – “Nothing New”

On April 10th, ARNO officially opened the first Repair Center in Skopje – “Nishto Novo/ Nothing New (Instagram profile), located in the Municipality of Kisela Voda. This is the first space of its kind in the city, where citizens can make repairs themselves, learn new skills, exchange (swap) items they no longer need, rent tools, and support green social entrepreneurship. The Center is an initiative by ARNO, funded through the EU project EICEE, in collaboration with the Municipality of Kisela Voda, which provides the space and covers utilities.

The event was opened by Irina Janevska, President of ARNO, who shared the inspiring story behind the concept.
“It all began eight years ago, when we first saw Riperaj in Rijeka. We immediately knew that Skopje also deserves a place like this. After years of persistence, EU funding, and many challenges – here we are. ‘Nothing New’ is not just a name, it’s a philosophy: don’t throw away, repair, reduce waste – because preventing waste is key in a circular economy. Recycling is expensive and often not viable. And we must become more aware of our consumerism. I dedicate this Center to my father – an engineer who would take three broken toasters and make one that works. He taught me that repair isn’t just a skill – it’s a way of life, and for Macedonians and Balkan people, this isn’t something new.”

Sanda Rakočević, Regional Coordinator of the EICEE project (ADP Zid), shared the broader regional context:
“This Center is part of a wider movement happening across the Western Balkans. We are extremely proud that through this project, makerspaces have opened in Podgorica, Niš, Sarajevo, and Peja – and with this, Skopje becomes part of a network that promotes the circular economy model. In Podgorica, people are making lamps from old vinyl records and prototypes of solar panels using recycled parts and 3D printers, CNC machines… In Skopje, you’ll have the opportunity to repair.”

Anton Danilovski from ARNO presented the Center’s features:
“At ‘Nishto Novo,’ people can sharpen knives, fix scooters, replace cables, mend clothes, clean keyboards, charge batteries – independently, using the equipment we’ve provided. The Center has soldering irons, sewing machines, tools – and of course, we’ll organize workshops, like the one with designer Irina Tosheva, which is already open for registration.”

Irina Janevska also asked support:
“The Center is free to use for residents of Kisela Voda, and everyone else is welcome and (if they wish and are able) to  leave donations that will go toward small supplies. We are genuinely seeking support from companies and donors for the Center’s sustainability. We plan to run a Library of Things – for example, pressure washers, vertical steamers, drills, and other tools and items that can be rented at symbolic prices. We also plan to offer package-free refills (like liquid soap, detergent, etc.) because we believe in a life with less plastic. We even have a small, conceptual shop with eco-products made by social enterprises – and this is just the beginning.”

“Nothing new” is a CSO-led center – for the citizens. A space for learning, repairing, sharing, and solidarity. A story that’s just beginning, with a vision to grow and expand, for a more sustainable and greener Skopje.