One Friday in June, a group of about 10 volunteers from SWPS University headed to the Vistula River to clean up its banks, a vital component of the capital's ecosystem. Sponsored by the Capital City of Warsaw, the event was held as part of the Zielony Wolontariat [Green Volunteering] project. It also tied into an international initiative by the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) called the ERUA Spring Clean-ups.
Caring for our local environment
The "Green Volunteering" program is a unique opportunity for Warsaw residents to actively participate in the daily maintenance of the urban ecosystem. Through collaboration with professionals, volunteers not only make a direct contribution to the environment but also gain practical insights into the design and maintenance of the capital’s green spaces.
Because SWPS University is located on the right bank of the Vistula River, not far from its waterway, the river's environmental condition is important to us. With this in mind, a group of volunteers from our university set out to clean up the green spaces along the wild riverbank.
Students from SWPS University clean up green spaces on the banks of the Vistula river in Warsaw
Cleaning up trash on the banks of the Vistula river.
Team effort
Collaborative efforts make a difference
As a private institution, SWPS University exists to serve individuals, society, and the environment through education, research, the arts, and public engagement. Participating in the "Green Volunteering" program is just one example of our commitment to local initiatives that have a tangible impact on the city and society at large.
Caring for the environment often begins with simple, collaborative efforts. That is why we participated in the Green Volunteering initiative for the second time this year. Through this initiative, organized in cooperation with the Warsaw Green Authority, we provided tangible support to the valuable strip of wilderness along the Vistula River, which serves as a vital habitat for birds and insects within a large city. We understand that even small gestures can contribute to greater change and build a sense of responsibility for our surroundings.
We are also pleased that, through our collaboration within the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), we could carry out this initiative alongside other partner universities in Europe. This demonstrates that responsibility for our shared space and environment can unite communities across borders and inspire local action for the common good.
Jakubik, Zuzanna
Sustainability Manager, SWPS University’s Office for Sustainable Development
First and last name
Zuzanna Jakubik
Academic degree or title
M.A.
Email
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Role in the university
Sustainable Development Manager
M.A. Zuzanna Jakubik
Read more about our initiative of planting ivy in the Warsaw's Arkadia Park
ERUA's Green Initiatives for the Planet
The planting day at Arkadia Park is part of SWPS University’s involvement in "ERUA Spring Clean-ups", a broader campaign organized by the European Reform University Alliance. This initiative sees member universities joining forces to promote environmental stewardship throughout the spring.
Between Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5), students and staff from member institutions in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain are engaging in local efforts to clean up local beaches and green spaces and plant new vegetation.
These activities reflect the ERUA alliance's commitment to ecological responsibility and its dedication to building relationships with local communities. By mobilizing students, staff, local authorities, and civil society organizations, ERUA member universities demonstrate that positive change begins in our immediate surroundings and that collective action across borders produces a significant impact on a larger scale.
ERUA Member Universities
Funding