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Dniester — Territory of Life: How the Youth Summer School Eco-TIRAS "DNIESTER-2026" Took Place

Every summer, the Dniester River becomes not just a geographical artery of our region, but a true platform for friendship, learning, and environmental leadership.

This year, the Youth Summer School "DNIESTER-2026" brought together energetic and caring young people from Chisinau, Tiraspol, and other settlements in Moldova, as well as Ukraine. The school's motto—"Dniester — Territory of Life"—became the connecting thread across all ten days of the rich program. The Youth School was attended by 70 young people from both banks of the Dniester and refugee youth from Ukraine, aged 15–20. Around 200 applications were submitted for the contest, and the most motivated were selected. Indeed, the main selection criterion was motivation to participate and the desire to do something useful and good for the conservation of the river and its basin.

The main goal of this annual initiative is to unite the youth of both banks of the Dniester around the idea of water resource conservation, mastering the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and practical participation in the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Dniester River basin.

Ø Knowledge from leading experts and scientists of Moldova The school's program was structured to combine academic depth with an interactive, lively format. Leading ecologists, scientists, international experts, representatives of government agencies, and NGO representatives spoke to the participants:

River Basin Management: Executive Director of the International Association of River Keepers "Eco-TIRAS", PhD in Biology Ilia Trombitki, delivered an introductory lecture on the history and ecological state of the Dniester, highlighting the key role of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) in restoring the river's life-supporting function. And the Deputy Chairman of the Moldovan-Ukrainian Dniester Commission, Radu Cazacu, told the youth about the commission's activities, emphasizing the importance of transboundary cooperation across the Dniester basin, as well as the contribution of youth to the conservation and sustainable management of the basin.
Citizens' Rights and European Standards: Doctor of Law Natalia Zamfir introduced participants to the legal framework of the Aarhus Convention. The youth learned about citizens' legal right—the right to participate in environmentally significant decision-making. International expert for the GEF project (Vienna, Austria) Dr. Edith Hoedl presented the European experience of transboundary water cooperation. The expert also shared knowledge on ecosystem conditions and adaptation to climate change.
Climate and Biomonitoring: Doctor of Biological Sciences Igor Subernetchi (Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences) not only presented the topic but also conducted a practical session on surface water biomonitoring on the river. Vitaliy Kolvenko, Director of the Hydrometeorological Service (Tiraspol), introduced participants to observational data on climate change and provided examples of adaptation to this serious natural process.
Water and Health: Issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health in Moldova were not overlooked. Director of the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases at the National Agency for Public Health Ion Salaru spoke about drinking water quality and other directions of the Protocol. Tatyana Sinyaeva (Director of the Eco-TIRAS Summer School) noted the importance of implementing Article 13 of the Protocol and emphasized the need for joint monitoring of transboundary waters to prevent waterborne diseases. Dana Bogdan, Manager of the GEF-Dniester Project, visited the summer school, interacted with the participants, and emphasized the importance of their involvement in river basin conservation.

Ø Practical Actions: From Theory to Real Deeds The "DNIESTER-2026" Summer School was memorable for participants not only for its lectures, but also for concrete actions for the benefit of nature:

"Help the Fish" Action (Help the Fish): Under the guidance of Dr. Habil. in Biological Sciences Serghei Filipenco and PhD in Biology Mihail Mustea, the youth studied biodiversity conservation methods and helped build artificial spawning nests for phytophilic fish species under conditions lacking spring ecological water releases. In spring, these structures will be placed in the waters of the "Iagorlyc" Nature Reserve to compensate for the deficit of natural spring flooding.
Youth Voice in Eco-Legislation: After studying forest restoration issues with expert Alexandru Sainciuc and mastering public hearing simulations, participants analyzed Moldova's National Reforestation Program. The outcome of their work was a package of 32 specific recommendations, which were officially sent to the Parliament and Government of the Republic of Moldova.

Ø Excursions, Workshops, and Future Skills Every day of the school was filled with practice and new discoveries:

Excursion Program: Participants visited the Nature Museum of the Moldova State University in Chisinau. They learned many useful and fascinating facts about the natural world from the museum's curator, Stanislav Danilovich Poznakomkin. Participants also visited the Chisinau City Museum, where Museum Director Valeria Suruceanu introduced them to the history of the city. The youth also took a field trip to the "Iagorlic" State Nature Reserve, where they learned about ecosystems and the work of scientists in the protected area.
Development of Practical Skills: Useful and engaging workshops were held:

1. Basics of mediation in resolving environmental disputes (worked with school trainer Vitalie Boico).

2. Basics of artistic drawing (trainer Ecaterina Kliptsova shared knowledge and taught drawing).

3. Obstacle negotiation skills and eco-tourism (worked with trainer Alexei Batrincea).

4. Sports workshop offering kayaking skills as well as mastering the science of chess (led by Vladimir Zheleznyak and Olga Krivoruchko).

Ø Psychological Comfort and Tolerance: The atmosphere within the group was supported by psychologist Marcel Pascal. An important and useful meeting was also held with addiction specialist Dr. Alexei Bandatii. Furthermore, participants discussed interethnic tolerance issues with Dr. Keita Abdramane.

Ø Friendship Uniting Riverbanks The most important outcome of the school was creating an atmosphere of sincere trust and mutual support. Evening team discussions, eco-discos, environmental skit performances, poetry evenings, trivia games ("What? Where? When?"), sports, and creative evenings brought together youth from both banks of the Dniester and Ukraine. A symbolic conclusion was the "Miss and Mr. Summer School Dniester-2026" contest, where the title of Mr. was won by a young man from Ukraine (a refugee living in Moldova), and the title of Miss went to a girl from Moldova.

Ø Institutional Background and Acknowledgments Holding the Youth Summer School "DNIESTER-2026" was made possible through the coordinated work and support of international and regional partners: · Organizer: International Association of River Keepers Eco-TIRAS. · Donor: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). · Supporting Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) within the framework of the project "Facilitating transboundary cooperation and integrated water resources management in the Dniester River basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)" (Project ID: 1102751).

Attached: recommendations developed by the youth to improve the implementation of the Reforestation Program (download RO, RU), photo files – download

Every summer, the Dniester River becomes not just a geographical artery of our region, but a true platform for friendship, learning, and environmental leadership. This year, the Youth Summer School "DNIESTER-2026" brought together energetic and caring young people from Chisinau, Tiraspol, and other settlements in Moldova, as well as Ukraine. The school's motto—"Dniester — Territory of Life"—became the connecting thread across all ten days of the rich program. The Youth School was attended by 70 young people from both banks of the Dniester and refugee youth from Ukraine, aged 15–20. Around 200 applications were submitted for the contest, and the most motivated were selected. Indeed, the main selection criterion was motivation to participate and the desire to do something useful and good for the conservation of the river and its basin.

The main goal of this annual initiative is to unite the youth of both banks of the Dniester around the idea of water resource conservation, mastering the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and practical participation in the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Dniester River basin.

Ø Knowledge from leading experts and scientists of Moldova The school's program was structured to combine academic depth with an interactive, lively format. Leading ecologists, scientists, international experts, representatives of government agencies, and NGO representatives spoke to the participants:

River Basin Management: Executive Director of the International Association of River Keepers "Eco-TIRAS", PhD in Biology Ilia Trombitki, delivered an introductory lecture on the history and ecological state of the Dniester, highlighting the key role of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) in restoring the river's life-supporting function. And the Deputy Chairman of the Moldovan-Ukrainian Dniester Commission, Radu Cazacu, told the youth about the commission's activities, emphasizing the importance of transboundary cooperation across the Dniester basin, as well as the contribution of youth to the conservation and sustainable management of the basin.
Citizens' Rights and European Standards: Doctor of Law Natalia Zamfir introduced participants to the legal framework of the Aarhus Convention. The youth learned about citizens' legal right—the right to participate in environmentally significant decision-making. International expert for the GEF project (Vienna, Austria) Dr. Edith Hoedl presented the European experience of transboundary water cooperation. The expert also shared knowledge on ecosystem conditions and adaptation to climate change.
Climate and Biomonitoring: Doctor of Biological Sciences Igor Subernetchi (Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences) not only presented the topic but also conducted a practical session on surface water biomonitoring on the river. Vitaliy Kolvenko, Director of the Hydrometeorological Service (Tiraspol), introduced participants to observational data on climate change and provided examples of adaptation to this serious natural process.
Water and Health: Issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health in Moldova were not overlooked. Director of the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases at the National Agency for Public Health Ion Salaru spoke about drinking water quality and other directions of the Protocol. Tatyana Sinyaeva (Director of the Eco-TIRAS Summer School) noted the importance of implementing Article 13 of the Protocol and emphasized the need for joint monitoring of transboundary waters to prevent waterborne diseases. Dana Bogdan, Manager of the GEF-Dniester Project, visited the summer school, interacted with the participants, and emphasized the importance of their involvement in river basin conservation.

Ø Practical Actions: From Theory to Real Deeds The "DNIESTER-2026" Summer School was memorable for participants not only for its lectures, but also for concrete actions for the benefit of nature:

"Help the Fish" Action (Help the Fish): Under the guidance of Dr. Habil. in Biological Sciences Serghei Filipenco and PhD in Biology Mihail Mustea, the youth studied biodiversity conservation methods and helped build artificial spawning nests for phytophilic fish species under conditions lacking spring ecological water releases. In spring, these structures will be placed in the waters of the "Iagorlyc" Nature Reserve to compensate for the deficit of natural spring flooding.
Youth Voice in Eco-Legislation: After studying forest restoration issues with expert Alexandru Sainciuc and mastering public hearing simulations, participants analyzed Moldova's National Reforestation Program. The outcome of their work was a package of 32 specific recommendations, which were officially sent to the Parliament and Government of the Republic of Moldova.

Ø Excursions, Workshops, and Future Skills Every day of the school was filled with practice and new discoveries:

Excursion Program: Participants visited the Nature Museum of the Moldova State University in Chisinau. They learned many useful and fascinating facts about the natural world from the museum's curator, Stanislav Danilovich Poznakomkin. Participants also visited the Chisinau City Museum, where Museum Director Valeria Suruceanu introduced them to the history of the city. The youth also took a field trip to the "Iagorlic" State Nature Reserve, where they learned about ecosystems and the work of scientists in the protected area.
Development of Practical Skills: Useful and engaging workshops were held:

1. Basics of mediation in resolving environmental disputes (worked with school trainer Vitalie Boico).

2. Basics of artistic drawing (trainer Ecaterina Kliptsova shared knowledge and taught drawing).

3. Obstacle negotiation skills and eco-tourism (worked with trainer Alexei Batrincea).

4. Sports workshop offering kayaking skills as well as mastering the science of chess (led by Vladimir Zheleznyak and Olga Krivoruchko).

Ø Psychological Comfort and Tolerance: The atmosphere within the group was supported by psychologist Marcel Pascal. An important and useful meeting was also held with addiction specialist Dr. Alexei Bandatii. Furthermore, participants discussed interethnic tolerance issues with Dr. Keita Abdramane.

Ø Friendship Uniting Riverbanks The most important outcome of the school was creating an atmosphere of sincere trust and mutual support. Evening team discussions, eco-discos, environmental skit performances, poetry evenings, trivia games ("What? Where? When?"), sports, and creative evenings brought together youth from both banks of the Dniester and Ukraine. A symbolic conclusion was the "Miss and Mr. Summer School Dniester-2026" contest, where the title of Mr. was won by a young man from Ukraine (a refugee living in Moldova), and the title of Miss went to a girl from Moldova.

Ø Institutional Background and Acknowledgments Holding the Youth Summer School "DNIESTER-2026" was made possible through the coordinated work and support of international and regional partners: · Organizer: International Association of River Keepers Eco-TIRAS. · Donor: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). · Supporting Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) within the framework of the project "Facilitating transboundary cooperation and integrated water resources management in the Dniester River basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)" (Project ID: 1102751).

Attached: recommendations developed by the youth to improve the implementation of the Reforestation Program (download RO, RU), photo files – download 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4.