Dniester River summer schools as a tool to promote the river values and to build the confidence

The Eco-TIRAS International Association of River Keepers was founded in 1999 and unites 52 environmental NGOs from Moldova and Ukraine operating in the transboundary Dniester River basin within the scope to promote the integrated management of its water resources.

At the first stage, the main objective was to promote the Dniester basin agreement, which was concluded in 2012. Today, one of the main objectives is environmental education and training, promoting understanding of integrated river basin management.

For the last 16 years, Eco-TIRAS has been organizing annual summer schools on the banks of the Dniester. They are attended by young people (15-20 years old) from both banks (35+35), separated all these years by a frozen Transnister conflict.

That is why the schools simultaneously solve two problems: environmental education and confidence-building. Usually, several young people from Ukraine also take part. The schools provide technical knowledge on the environment, water resources management, conservation of aquatic biodiversity, water and health issues and climate change adaptation. It also teaches EU environmental legislation, human rights, tolerance and prevention of racism.

The youngsters analyze real drafts of environmental laws and send their comments to the authorities. The schools help to increase the popularity of natural sciences, and many participants choose their profession in the field of nature conservation. The friendly ties between the two banks are strengthened. To reinforce the knowledge gained, one of the components of the summer schools is an expedition along the Dniester on kayaks.

The summer schools have been supported in various years by the OSCE, GEF, UNDP, NED, European Commission, American and Finnish embassies, SDC, etc.