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Weser

Coming Soon – Following the successful extreme swimming projects through the Rhine, Danube, Elbe, and Tennessee River, the Weser is next. Once again, Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath will swim the entire length of the river to raise awareness of the state of our waters and to champion a plastic-free environment. Along the way, water samples will be collected and analyzed for pollutants and microplastics. In parallel, interactive educational programs for children and young people will take place in various towns along the river. The project will be documented on film, with the resulting documentary later integrated into educational programs and public events. Cities along the Weser will also host public activities including workshops, panel discussions, and participatory events.

Rhine’s Water

Together for a clean river – On September 13, 2025, the next major Rhine CleanUp will take place, and we are calling on communities to join us. Our goal is to mobilize as many groups as possible along the Upper Rhine to clear the riverbanks of plastic and waste. The initiative is designed to build cross-border awareness for the protection of the Rhine. That’s why we invite all participants to partner with groups on the opposite riverbank and plan joint activities together.

Pure Elbe

In summer 2024, Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath swam the Elbe – 1,080 kilometers from the Giant Mountains to the North Sea – in a project dedicated to protecting nature. Through an accompanying campaign and interactive education program, we raised awareness about the importance of healthy rivers, the threats posed by human pollution, and the dangers of microplastics. Along the Elbe, water samples were regularly collected and analyzed for pollutants and microplastics. A documentary film was produced during the journey, bringing the story to an even wider audience.

The Danube Cleanup takes place every September – get involved!

Cleandanube

Im Frühling 2022 durchschwamm unser Gründungsmitglied Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath die Donau. 2.700 km. Für einen sauberen Fluss voller Leben und Artenvielfalt. Forscher:innen haben in der Donau mehr Plastikteile als Fischlarven gefunden. Über 4 Tonnen Plastik gelangen aus der Donau ins Schwarze Meer. Jeden Tag. Um das zu ändern, haben wir Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath mit einer Kampagne und einem Bildungsprogramm begleitet, regelmäßig Wasserproben entnommen und einen Dokumentarfilm über unsere Reise auf dem internationalsten Fluss der Erde erstellt.

artofdanube

From the Black Forest to the Black Sea – the world’s longest Danube painting went on tour. Artist Ana Tudor captured the river’s unique landscapes and its endangered plant and animal life on a one-kilometer canvas. Traveling downstream, we exhibited the artwork in 14 cities across 8 countries, using the exhibition to highlight species at risk along the Danube.

Pure Elbe

1,000 km through the Elbe

Our documentary film Pure Elbe portrays the impressive journey of Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath: in 2024, he swam the entire Elbe – 1,000 km, from source to mouth. The spectacular swimming achievement was accompanied by a comprehensive awareness campaign and educational programs for young people to foster sustainable thinking. Filmmaker Shane Thomas McMillan was part of the team himself and captured the journey in a powerful film. The documentary shows the challenges and experiences of extreme swimming and highlights the urgent need to protect our waters from plastic pollution. With breathtaking imagery and captivating interviews, the film brings the core themes of the project to life and inspires reflection and action. Pure Elbe is more than just a film – it is a call to take responsibility and actively contribute to solving the plastic problem. The film is perfectly suited for screenings in schools, environmental events, cinemas, and other public venues to foster awareness of water protection and sustainability.

Bis ins Meer

2,700 km swimming through the Danube

In spring 2022, Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath embarked on an extraordinary adventure: he swam the entire Danube – 2,700 kilometers through ten countries, from its source to its mouth in the Black Sea. With every stroke, he drew attention to the alarming levels of microplastic pollution in rivers. The expedition was accompanied by scientific measurements, numerous educational activities for young people, and an international dialogue on nature conservation. Filmmaker Shane Thomas McMillan documented the expedition impressively, capturing the challenges, encounters, and breathtaking landscapes along the world’s most international river. The artistic and contemplative film not only portrays an outstanding athletic feat, but also illustrates the urgent need to protect our rivers and seas. Through emotional interviews and stunning imagery, the scale of microplastic pollution becomes tangible. Bis ins Meer is more than a journey – it is a call to rethink and take action. The film is perfectly suited for screenings in schools, environmental events, cinemas, and other public venues to foster awareness of water protection and sustainability.

Bildungskoffer-Projekt 2025

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elbe cleanup – Damit Plastik nicht in der Elbe landet

Gemeinsam stark für die Elbe! Wir wollen die Elbe von der Quelle bis zur Mündung säubern. Gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern und Euch wollen wir das Ufer der Elbe von Abfällen befreien. Außerdem ist unser langfristiges Ziel, ein Bewusstsein dafür zu schaffen, dass Müll nicht achtlos weggeworfen oder besser noch von vornherein vermieden wird! Bist du dabei? Der Hauptaktionstag ist der 14. September. Viele Gruppen sind jedoch auch ganzjährig unterwegs. Daraus hat sich die letzten Jahre eine starke Bewegung entwickelt, deren Teil wir sind. Wir engagieren uns, um die Umwelt zu schützen und um Flüsse und Weltmeere sauber zu halten. Seid dabei und unterstützt uns. Motiviert bitte auch Eure Freund:innen, Kolleg:innen und Nachbar:innen. Wir unterstützen Euch dabei!

Donau Cleanup – Damit Plastik nicht in der Donau landet

Das internationale Donaucleanup findet jedes Jahr im September statt. Interessierte Gruppen und Einzelpersonen sind herzlich eingeladen, Teil dieser wichtigen Aktion zu werden. Über den Link zur Projektwebseite könnt ihr euch anmelden und mit uns gemeinsam ein Zeichen für eine plastikfreie Zukunft setzen.

Blue Source Indien

Coming Fall 2025 – We are preparing an extraordinary new education project: an expedition to the source of the Ganges in the Himalayas, where water and ice samples will be analyzed for microplastics for the very first time. A symbolic swimming event with Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath and community workshops in India will accompany the expedition. The initiative aims to draw attention to plastic pollution in fragile ecosystems and spark lasting change. A documentary film will carry the project’s message to audiences worldwide. Planning is underway – more updates soon.

Danube Days

Danube Days was a four-week journey through five Danube countries, featuring 14 water-education days in Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Austria. A specially designed mobile escape game introduced environmental topics in a completely new format. With the support of our regional network, we hosted events in diverse locations, including a “Left Bank School” in Belgrade, Drobeta-Turnu Severin and Giurgiu in Romania, and Tutrakan in Bulgaria. For many young people, it was their first time experiencing such innovative educational opportunities.

Our current project is the Danube Festival in Călărași/Romania.

Danube Diversity

In Danube Diversity, we explored the richness of the Danube – from its cultural significance to its ecological challenges. Through film portraits, youth camps, and film festivals in Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade, we brought together activists, NGOs, and filmmakers to highlight the river’s importance for both people and nature. We profiled individuals along the Danube, each sharing their unique perspective and personal connection to the river.

Education Weeks Schwetzingen

During Water Week at Hebel High School in Schwetzingen, everything revolved around water. Around 500 students took part in hands-on workshops on water quality and our innovative mobile escape game. The interactive sessions addressed the threat of microplastics and encouraged critical reflection. Highlights included a public forum with Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath, the widely covered Neckar River swim, and a film screening with open discussion. Supported by partners from science, business, and civil society, the week sent a strong signal for environmental education and civic engagement – right in the heart of Schwetzingen.

Water Days Rheinfelden

At the Dietsche Hall in Haus Salmegg, Water Days put the spotlight on clean water and plastic pollution. In cooperation with the Evonik Foundation, we hosted our interactive knowledge workshop for an entire week. School groups participated in the mornings, while the public joined in the afternoons, exploring modules on microplastics, water protection, and ecological connections. A highlight was the community cleanup, where Evonik employees and volunteers collected and analyzed waste together with Prof. Dr. Andreas Fath. The project reached around 350 people – a strong statement for environmental education and civic action on the Upper Rhine.