For a sustainable tomorrow

Our first project focused on the Río Higueras in Huánuco, Peru — the river that shaped our founders’ childhoods. In collaboration with Grupo TYPSA (Lima, Peru) and with external counseling from the Environmental Institute of Finland (SYKE), we analyzed the river’s water quality. Results showed high levels of pollution, including pesticides, bacteria, and parasites, threatening local health and ecosystems. These findings became the foundation of our mission to restore rivers through science and community action.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Saving Rivers and Lakes shifted from environmental work to urgent humanitarian aid in Huánuco, Peru. With the support of local and international partners, we helped establish an oxygen plant that produced 96,000 m³ of medical-grade oxygen, serving over 3,200 patients. We also coordinated donations of protective gear for firefighters, as well as oxygen regulators and masks for hospitals. Although this work was beyond our usual mission, the project embodied our core value — caring for communities and saving lives in times of crisis.

Saving Rivers and Lakes brought the Clean Games to Aarhus, Denmark, as part of the Baltic Cup, joining cities across the Baltic region in a friendly competition to clean the environment. Held around Brabrand Sø, volunteers of all ages and nationalities collected litter and learned about pollution through play. Following its success, SR&L was invited to become a local Clean Games manager, gaining access to international support for future cleanup and environmental education initiatives.

Together with ASOECOLEO Huánuco, we carried out a project to raise awareness and promote the protection and recovery of river ecosystems in Huánuco, Peru. Through environmental education programs in local schools and collaboration with community organizations, we strengthened understanding of how human activity impacts rivers and biodiversity. This initiative deepened our shared commitment to building local capacity and inspiring lasting care for freshwater ecosystems.

In partnership with the PAC Foundation, we launched the Aware Project in Nigeria to combat plastic pollution through education and community action. The project engaged students and volunteers in environmental programs at two schools and organized clean-up activities at key sites, including Jabi Lake in Abuja. By raising awareness and promoting responsible waste management, the initiative strengthened community involvement and inspired long-term environmental stewardship across Nigeria.

The Voices of the Global South project aims to deepen understanding of development and environmental challenges in the Global South beyond awareness-raising. Through a series of six events held in Denmark — in Aarhus and Copenhagen — each featuring an expert speaker from the Global South, the project highlights local solutions and successful initiatives while inspiring new, context-driven approaches to sustainability. By amplifying southern perspectives, the initiative fosters critical thinking, global solidarity, and innovative cooperation for sustainable development. The final event is scheduled for the end of 2025.

In partnership with Asociación Ecológica León de Huánuco, we began systematic monitoring of pollution in the Huallaga River, which faces increasing pressure from human activity. In August 2025, we conducted a two-day mission along the river from its source in the Andes to Huánuco city, covering six sites over 28 hours. Initial findings revealed that mining, urban waste, and agricultural runoff are the main sources of pollution, although some sections show early signs of recovery. Moving forward, we aim to deepen field and lab work to better understand and address pollution in the Huallaga River, and are currently seeking additional funding to support this next phase of research.