Starting from year 2014 "BALTA DABA" (Latvia) and "OPE" (Portugal) are cooperating for rivers protection activities in Latvia and Portugal.
In August 7-9th, 2015, we held international meeting in Latvia to exchange best practices on river protection methods in youth work.
During the meeting, we had a chance to visit the Slampe River restoration project and bog trail in Ķemeri National Park; "GAUJA RIVER FUND" workshop on wooden boat carving; small hydro power station on the Gauja River and discuss its influence on rivers biodiversity. We also found out what kind of local initiatives have been organised in Latvia to protect local rivers from illegal fishing and damming consequences.

In the last day, we made a practical input in solving local river protection problems. Together with representative of Nature Conservation Agency we worked in the Šepka River. Our task was to remove wooden dams and a beaver dam of the river to provide its flow, which is crucial for salmon spawning and other protected species living in this river.

The project "RIVER reMEMBERS" is an international youth initiative developed by "BALTA DABA" (Latvia) and "OPE" (Portugal) - youth environmental organisations. The aim of the project is to encourage young people active citizenship for protection of Europe's rivers. Main objectives are to exchange best practices how to organise local river protection activities for young people; to find new innovative methods for youth work in river protection sector and to increase young people research skills and knowledge about river ecosystems. Project directly involves 10 young people in age of 18 to 30 years (5 from each organisation) who make a research about dam's problem on rivers, organise workshops for local people about river protection, organize local seminars and discussions and create the methodology about how effectively involve young people in river protection activities. During the project, both groups meet 3 times for sharing experience and results of project. The project take place in Latvia and Portugal from October 2014 to December 2015.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.