Green for the Future
The "Green for the Future" program, now in its second edition under the coordination of the Civil Society Development Foundation, aims to bring people closer to Romania's extraordinary nature, promoting a sustainable lifestyle and a better understanding of our natural parks.
Daniel Onea, 29.05.2026, 14:00
Today, we learn about some of the successful projects within the program, including the historic return of the moose to the forests of Neamț and educational initiatives dedicated to the younger generations. Iulia Vizi, the communication manager for this project, explains the philosophy that sparked this endeavor.
“The ‘Green for the Future’ program represents our desire to leave the younger generations a world where they can truly enjoy Romania’s extraordinary nature. We have natural parks whose visitor centers we sometimes pass by with indifference. In fact, these spaces hide riches that deserve to be discovered and understood. There are so many unknown things about the nature around us, and these administrative and educational centers hold valuable information that can significantly improve our daily lives.”
To understand and protect this natural wealth, the program invests in the active conservation of emblematic species. In the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, efforts have focused on restoring historical ecosystems. As our guest points out, the ecological and visual impact of these initiatives is already a major one.
“One of the most attractive aspects for the public is the fact that the moose has returned to the forests of Neamț after more than 200 years. The arrival of these specimens represents a historic moment for local biodiversity, but also an opportunity for people to reconnect with the past and learn once again how to cohabit with this animal. The moose are joining the existing bison population, already becoming a major attraction for the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park. While the first edition of the program focused on the bison, we now want to popularize the idea of coexisting with these large wild animals, which represent an important historical symbol of Moldova.”
Long-term conservation is, however, impossible without the involvement of local communities. In this regard, the program proposes a change of approach in schools near the park, aiming to transform nature into a space for applied learning. Iulia Vizi, communication manager at the Civil Society Development Foundation, breaks down this unique educational tool.
“The project includes an extraordinary textbook dedicated to the forests of Neamț and local history, created by the Mioritics Association. We want this to become a fundamental tool in regional schools. Meetings have already taken place with teachers to introduce an optional subject through which students can learn about local fauna and ecosystems. We hope to develop a specialized school curriculum based on this modern and interactive textbook. The ultimate goal is that, by the end of the courses, this theoretical knowledge will culminate in a visit to the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, where children can experience nature firsthand and observe wild animals.”
The educational component does not stop in Neamț county. A similar model, but with a strong emphasis on interactivity, has also been implemented at the edge of the Putna-Vrancea Natural Park. Here, young people are encouraged to directly apply the theoretical concepts they have learned, explains the representative of the Civil Society Development Foundation, Iulia Vizi.
“A modern educational center has been operating since this spring in the Putna-Vrancea Natural Park, located right in the courtyard of the park’s administration. It is dedicated to young people and is equipped with educational materials, specific games, and models that faithfully reproduce wild animals. Rangers give interactive presentations before students head out on hikes through the forest. Recently, high school students from the county participated in an initiative to restock trout fry. After a presentation on ecosystem functions, the youth helped release the fish. This blending of theory and practice is essential. It is vital for young people to experiment, to understand how ecosystems function, and to realize that humans are an integral part of nature.”
Beyond the firsthand experiences offered in the heart of the forest, the initiative aims to bring nature into the urban environment as well, overcoming geographical barriers or physical limitations through new technologies. The project’s communication coordinator, Iulia Vizi, describes how this innovative concept works.
“We also have a mobile virtual observatory equipped with information panels, screens, and virtual reality glasses. All these elements offer an immersive experience of the Vrancea forests through specially made films and audio recordings that are also accessible to people with disabilities. The observatory is not static; it is currently located at the administration headquarters, but it will travel throughout the county, participating in events in the communities near the park. We want to create a connection with nature even for urban residents, and we are considering taking the project to Bucharest or other cities across the country. It is an innovative experiment that allows you to feel and hear nature through an individualized experience offered by this mobile space.”
The projects carried out within the “Green for the Future” program demonstrate that protecting the environment requires more than simply instating rules ; it requires education, innovation, and community integration. By bringing historical species back to their habitats, creating interactive educational centers, and utilizing immersive technologies, the program becomes a clear model of best practices at both national and European levels. It is an endeavor that paves the way for tomorrow’s generations to not only know Romania’s ecosystems, but to learn how to live in perfect harmony alongside them. (VP)
