“Danube-Carpathian Programme” Report in 2025

Another year together. A year of work, decisions and shared responsibility for the natural heritage of Ukraine. And yes, this year we have something to be proud of – and we, the Danube-Carpathian Programme, want to share the main results. We report on the results in 2025.

 International recognition

• The Danube-Carpathian Program received the European Dam Removal Award 2024. The project “Demolition of three artificial dams in Ukraine during wartime”, which we implemented in partnership with the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, became the winner among the most successful environmental initiatives in Europe to free rivers from artificial obstacles in 2024https://bit.ly/DamRemovalAward2024  
• At the EU level, they received confirmation of the international standard for conducting “good practice” Interreg-Europe restoration measures to preserve and sustainably use areas with high biodiversity and traditional economic development in the face of climate change https://bit.ly/3LrAmoz

River and wetland restoration

• Work on the restoration of floodplain and eroded areas has been completed after the rivers were freed from artificial obstacles on the tributaries of the Tysa River – the Kvasny, Bohdan and Bily rivers (in cooperation with the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve)  https://bit.ly/3MZbPI1 
• We continued to support an incredible corner of the national natural heritage – the Valley of Daffodils. In particular, we continued to financially support mulching and adjustable weirs to raise the water level so that the Valley of Daffodils can bloom. And here is a short video that explains without words why this is important  https://bit.ly/4az1vAh
• Together, the consortium prepared a model for the restoration of wetlands in the transborder Ukrainian-Slovak part of the Latorytsia River  https://bit.ly/4jk4ezX
• Activities have begun to restore the Bilogorshcha Peatland Landscape Reserve in the city of Lviv, which gives hope for the preservation and restoration of peatlands in urban conditions  https://bit.ly/49wKF3Y
• Research and monitoring work has begun on the territory of the Northern Peatlands of Lviv, with the aim of further restoring this degraded area https://bit.ly/4bbhfJS

 Nature conservation and protection

• We surveyed 29 potentially valuable wetlands covering an area of ​​over 1,000 hectares. 13 of these (45%) are of high conservation value  https://bit.ly/3YhM7AQ 
• Prepared and submitted to state authorities justifications for the conservation of 12 sites, 9 of which are wetlands https://bit.ly/4qv84bC
• We prepared a justification for the expansion of the Gorgany Nature Reserve by 5,308 hectares at the expense of primeval forest natural monuments (in cooperation with the Gorgany Nature Reserve).

Forests 

We continue our constant, though not always visible, struggle for the preservation of virgin forests. Thanks to the work of our experts in the Lviv region over the past few years, we have identified over 2,000 hectares of potential virgin forest natural monuments, but we have managed to obtain legal virgin forest status only on a third of this area. Throughout the year, we continued our legal struggle for their preservation – we filed appeals, complaints, demanded approval of these areas at numerous meetings, etc. https://bit.ly/3MWaz8w 

 Education and publications

• conducted trainings on ecosystem services for employees of the nature reserve fund  https://bit.ly/44U2JCu
• Prepared a teaching manual: Benefits of nature, ecosystem services and nature-based solutions: teaching manual / Б.Г.Проць, Н.C.Стрямець, В.O.Струс, О.Р.Пелюх, Н.Л.Федорова – Львів: ГАЛИЧ-ПРЕС, 2025.- 80 с. (4,65 друк. аркуша).   ISBN 978-617-8690-47-2

Support for the development of state institutions

With our expert support, UNDP purchased 10 field laboratories for the units of the State Environmental Inspectorate — an important step in assessing the environmental damage caused by the war https://bit.ly/4aFzBTh 

 Communication and education

• This year, our short documentary film “The Music of the Mountains That Fades” was released.  https://bit.ly/49enKsV
• We prepared over 70 posts and videos on social media for environmental and ecological tactics, and to support the military.

Support for Ukrainian defenders

Together with the NGO “White Horvats” we continued to support our army:

• we transferred funds and resources for the military in the amount of over 12,000 euros
• helped in the purchase and repair of cars for the military
• held meetings for drones, a 3D printer and printing materials.

Partnerships and communities

We worked and grew together with: Eurosite, Whitley Fund for Nature, Ethical Conservation Alliance, BraveEarth, National Geographic and other international and Ukrainian partners, engaging them to cooperate and help Ukraine.

This year has been difficult — both for the country and for nature. We sincerely thank everyone who was with us: readers, volunteers, experts, partners, donors, friends and colleagues. Without your support, trust and participation, these results would not have been possible. We need to persevere and preserve our natural heritage! Glory to Ukraine!