Danube Day in Ukraine
Discover how Ukraine celebrated Danube Day 2026, with activities that brought people together and reminded us why we are all 'United by Danube'!
For Danube Day 2026, Ukraine embraced a creative digital approach, proving that curiosity, creativity and hands-on exploration can build a lasting connection with nature — even from a distance.
The interactive online marathon "7 Days in the Life of a River" brought together 58 children aged 7 to 14 from 17 regions across Ukraine, engaging them in a week-long journey of discovery centred on river ecosystems. Over seven days, participants tackled a series of imaginative challenges: observing plants and wildlife along riverbanks, exploring aquatic biodiversity, learning about otters and their habitats through dance, investigating human pressures on rivers, creating nature-inspired artwork, and sharing personal commitments to protect freshwater ecosystems.
All participants successfully completed the full set of challenges, receiving personalised certificates and eco-friendly prizes during local award ceremonies. To ensure the initiative's impact reaches beyond this year's celebration, a practical guide documenting the marathon's methodology has been published in Ukrainian, enabling schools, environmental organisations and local authorities to replicate the format and engage even more young people in river conservation in the future.
By blending science, creativity and outdoor discovery, the marathon helped participants — and their families — better understand the importance of healthy rivers while inspiring them to become active stewards of their local environment. In total, the initiative reached approximately 150 people, including children, parents and river basin authority representatives.
The event was made possible thanks to the European Union, through the EU4Green Recovery East programme, with support from the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, WWF-Ukraine, and the Transcarpathian Regional Organisation of the All-Ukrainian Ecological League.
🔗 Further information:
Country coordinator:
Olena Marushevska of the All-Ukrainian Ecological League at: pripyat@i.kiev.ua or bluerivers@ukrpost.ua
