On June 6, 2025, the first international eco-festival of the year will take place on the Dnieper embankment in Smolensk. This event is part of the all-Russian "Water of Russia" campaign under the national project "Environmental Well-being," and will involve local residents, government representatives, and public organizations.
Simultaneously, a riverbank cleanup will also be held in the Republic of Belarus. This action is part of the implementation of the Russian-Belarusian Cooperation Program in Environmental Protection and Rational Nature Management, signed in November 2024 by Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, and Sergey Maslyak, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus.
On June 5, 2025, events related to the Joint Russian-Belarusian Commission on the Protection and Rational Use of Transboundary Water Bodies will be held in Smolensk, coinciding with World Environment Day and Ecologist's Day in Russia.
"Before the plenary session, which will involve a wide range of experts from both countries and is dedicated to World Environment Day, a flower-laying ceremony will take place in the Heroes' Memory Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In addition to guests from Belarus, representatives from Rosvodresursy, the Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Smolensk region, and the Smolensk city administration will participate in the ceremony. Furthermore, at a practical seminar, the parties will discuss the implementation of the 'Roadmap for Russian-Belarusian Transboundary Water Cooperation until 2030' and other pressing issues on the water agenda," noted Tatiana Bokova, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Water Resources.
On June 6, 2025, Smolensk will serve as the launchpad for the first international eco-festival of the federal project "Water of Russia" in 2025. This year, volunteers from both countries will clean up riverbanks in the Smolensk region and the Republic of Belarus. The event in Russia will take place on the Dnieper embankment near the monument to Prince Vladimir, bringing together volunteers, government representatives, environmental organizations, and all concerned residents of the region. In the Republic of Belarus, representatives from the republican and regional Ministries of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, local executive authorities, and public organizations, along with the Russian delegation, will clear debris from the Dnieper riverbank near the city of Orsha in the Vitebsk region.
The cleanup will be accompanied by a rich ecological and educational program aimed at fostering eco-habits and raising public awareness about waste management. The eco-festival program includes joint riverbank cleanups, eco-quests, workshops on separate waste collection, expert consultations on environmental issues and sustainable living, themed photo zones, a competition for the most unusual find, and interactive lectures. Participants can expect memorable prizes and the opportunity to personally interact with the project ambassador, theater and film actress, and public figure Yulia Mikhalkova, who will personally participate in the cleanup and educational activities.
"Eco-volunteering is not just about cleaning territories; it's a powerful tool for environmental education and fostering a responsible attitude towards nature. Participation in such actions as the Dnieper riverbank cleanup unites people, forms an ecological culture, and shows that everyone can make a real contribution to preserving water resources. We support the development of the volunteer movement and are ready to provide expert solutions for its further growth," emphasized Andrey Matsurov, Deputy Director of the Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia.
To join the campaign, all interested individuals need to register on the website beregdobrykhdel.рф. Organizers recommend choosing comfortable clothing and footwear for outdoor work, and familiarizing themselves with safety rules, which will also be announced before the start of the event. All necessary equipment will be provided to volunteers at the cleanup site.
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