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What is “youth-4-Elbe”?

Youth-4-Elbe-Camp in the Krkonose. (Copyright: DUH)

The project takes place within the context of the project “living Elbe” (Lebendige Elbe). The aim is to connect about 400 existing groups, actively working for the Elbe River and to create an integrated protection-program for the river.
So, environmentally aware young people are a significant part to achieve a sustainable development. For this reason precise objectives and aims of the project working are bringing together young people, supporting the environmental consciousness in youth-camps, informing about Elbe River projects and passing on the latest information. Furthermore to strengthen young people’s responsibility for their environment and its rivers and giving them the possibility to participate at social events and get into communication with political and economic representatives.

Why is it so important to win young people for this project?

More and more people start to identify themselves as a part of the Elbe River landscape and its area. They want to preserve it for the future. But to make good water-conditions possible, permanent involvement is necessary. That is the reason why winning and supporting young people interests on environmental protection are so important. And this is the starting point of the project “youth-4-Elbe”.

How do young people benefit from the project?

They shall get awareness for the topic of running water, especially the Elbe River and develop involvement by doing self created activities to protect this sensitive ecosystem. Furthermore they shall be enabling to pass on their knowledge to other pupils. By working at bilateral common projects, self confidence and sense for teamwork will grow. Meeting new people and developing new friendships is important and crucial to arise an understanding for foreign countries.

The Elbe River – a great value to protect?

River Elbe nearby Dresden (copyright: Heike/Pixelio.de)

The Elbe River is an outstanding stream in the center of Europe – 1.094km from its spring to the estuary. As a channel of distribution it was an important line of communication in Europe for centuries, where growing cities were settled and cultural monuments were built.
After the Second World War this river formed a geographical and political borderline with no one responsible for its ecological preservation. This is the reason why the Elbe River developed to one of the most polluted rivers in Europe.
Nevertheless, at a larger scale the river remained in its natural way and since the German Reunion and the entry of the Czech Republic into the European Union, there is a growing interest of the people to preserve and protect their Elbe River landscape. Some good reasons are the large diversity of animals and plants living in and around the water, for example 80 different kinds of fish from spring to estuary. Large flood areas and great connected riverside woodlands offer good biotopes and nursery ground for numerous creatures. The national and international importance of these rare biotopes is well known and protected by setting up for example the National Park Krkonoše as well as the UNESCO biosphere reserve River landscape Elbe, National Park Saxon Switzerland and many more.