Help us protect our European rivers with “Walking Rivers”
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Advocacy
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Rivers and Lakes
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, communities across the globe are preparing to take part in WalkingRivers. Organised by Wetlands International Europe, CIREF and the Botín Foundation, this is a growing international movement bringing people together to celebrate, protect and reconnect with their local rivers.
For this third edition, we break records. Over 4000 people in 25 countries across the globe will go to their local river in a global action to highlight their importance. So far, nearly 120 routes have been registered across 93 rivers worldwide, with more routes still expected to join before the event. This year, for the first time, routes have been registered in Albania, Kosovo and Romania.
The growing success of WalkingRivers over the last three years is a clear sign that citizens care about their local rivers, celebrate these vital ecosystems and act to protect and safeguard them.
Protect the sounds of your rivers
The theme for this year’s edition, Sounds of a River, invites participants to walk and listen. Nature tells a story – if we stop and listen. But one day, we might not hear anything anymore.
Today in Europe, our rivers are in danger. EU Member States are currently discussing the revision of the Water Framework Directive – Europe’s foundational law keeping our waters clear for 25 years. The outcome of this revision could weaken these key safeguards in the name of mining interests and raw materials extraction.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the safety of our homes, all depend on strong environmental laws. As Europe is about to give up on its last remaining nature, WalkingRivers is an opportunity to act and protect the sounds of your rivers. As you walk next to the river, we encourage you to think about what protecting it means to you. We have until September to oppose this revision, and you can make a difference.
Help us protect our environmental laws. Join the HandsOffNature campaign by signing the petition to give nature a voice! Together, let’s reach 500.000 signatures to demand that our European leaders defend the laws that protect people and nature, not bow to polluters and vested interests.
At a time of growing water insecurity, healthy rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands are not obstacles to development – they are essential infrastructure for a climate-resilient economy. Our water is not negotiable. Help us protect the laws that protect you.