The project “Game On! Don’t let climate change end the game!” offers young people from different European countries the opportunity to go on exchange trips that deepen their understanding of climate change. After returning home and being inspired by what they saw, two young women from Latvia – Antonija Rimša and Elvita Vilcāne – made exhibitions: “A week in Romania with birds” (Antonija Rimša) and “Atkritumi/Waste” (Elvita Vilcāne). 

Antonija Rimša, 3rd year student at the Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, participated in a bird ringing camp in Romania in August 2022. Antonia had the opportunity to get acquainted with the research of other European ornithologists, the applied methods and thoughts regarding the further development of ornithological research in the context of climate change. On her return from Romania, Antonija collected the photos taken at the camp, described what she experienced and, under the title “A week in Romania with birds”, exhibited the photos for a month in the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia. 

Antonija talks about her week in Romania: “Being in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, I felt closely connected to nature. At night, standing by the sea, I could see a clear milky way in the sky and bioluminescent algae washed ashore on the sand. When holding a snake, petting a mouse and seeing a rhinoceros beetle up close, you really feel a part of nature.”

The “Atkritumi/Waste” project is a series of photos that address the issue of waste. Project author Elvita Vilcāne says: “Plastic and other forms of waste have a major impact on the quality of life and health of all creatures. In a perfect world, all the junk would be recycled, but that’s pretty utopian, so you could at least try giving it a second life – creating incredibly beautiful and unique jewellery, accessories and other forms of fine art. The project shows how waste can suffocate us and at the same time decorate us.” For the photo shoot, all kinds of jewellery, accessories and decorations were created from household waste. “Atkritumi/Waste” was one of the exhibits in the “CIRCUS OF LIFE” exhibition, which reflects topical issues through various forms of art. Through dystopian scenarios, the exhibits offered a surreal insight into the social relations of society, as well as the problems of nature and climate. Looking at all the works, a common picture of the human life cycle emerged.

In August 2022, Elvita took part in an exchange trip to Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. Together with other young people from Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Germany and other countries, Elvita carried out peatland restoration, went on educational hikes and participated in workshops to develop communication ideas for climate change.