Danube Art Master 2024 with the theme “Keep the Danube Blue,” competition has officially begun, inviting children from across the Danube River Basin to express their creativity while raising awareness of the importance of environmental conservation. Jointly organised by the Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), this international competition encourages young participants to explore their local rivers and reflect on what these vital ecosystems mean to them.
Since its inception in 2004, the Danube Art Master competition has united thousands of children, fostering a deeper connection between the younger generation and their environment. Through creative expression, children are encouraged to celebrate the beauty of the Danube River Basin, while also voicing their concerns and ideas for the future of their surroundings.
Competition Categories and Participation
This year, DAM 2024 offers three exciting categories for participants to showcase their talent: Art, Photography, and Video. Each category is further divided into two subgroups: Junior (6-11 years old) and Teen (12-18 years old), allowing children of various age groups to compete in a fair and engaging manner.
The competition is open to children from all schools, NGOs, clubs, daycare centres, and associations for children in the Danube Basin, which spans 14 countries: Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. Participants can enter individually, as a class, or as part of a group, fostering teamwork and shared learning experiences.
All entries must be created outdoors, close to a water body, and made from materials found in nature. This encourages participants to engage directly with their environment and gain a hands-on understanding of the natural world. However, employees and officers of GWP CEE and ICPDR, as well as their immediate family members, are not eligible to take part in the competition.
National Organisers Supporting DAM 2024
The Danube Art Master competition is supported by a network of national organisers across the participating countries, ensuring smooth coordination and promotion of the event. Some of the key organisers include:
- The Umweltdachverband (UWD) (Austria)
- Ekotim - Society for the Protection and Advancement of Environment, Nature and Health (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- GWP Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
- Ecological Association Green Osijek (Croatia)
- Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz (Germany)
- GWP Hungary (Hungary)
- Ecological Movement of Moldova (Moldova)
- TO Zabljak and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Montenegro)
- Eco Counselling Centre Galati (Romania)
- Young Researchers of Serbia (Serbia)
- BROZ - Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development (Slovakia)
- LIMNOS d.o.o., Company for Applied Ecology (Slovenia)
- The Zakarpattya Oblast Branch of the All-Ukrainian League (Ukraine)
- ČSOP - Czech Union for Nature Conservation (Czech Republic)
This extensive network ensures that children from all corners of the Danube River Basin can participate and benefit from the competition.
A New Partnership with Erste Group
In an exciting development for 2024, the ICPDR has entered into a partnership with Erste Group, a well-known financial institution operating in many Danube Basin countries. This marks the first collaboration between ICPDR and Erste Group, focusing on enhancing environmental education and public participation in water protection initiatives.
Erste Group will provide funding to support Danube Art Master events, offering additional educational materials and promoting greater awareness of Danube-related environmental issues. Through this partnership, Erste Group aims to inspire its clients to become "Danube ambassadors" and help foster a deeper commitment to preserving the river for future generations.
The combined efforts of GWP CEE, ICPDR, and Erste Group aim to create a lasting positive impact, ensuring that the next generation not only appreciates the beauty of the Danube but also understands its ecological significance.
Danube Art Master 2024 is not just a competition – it is a movement to educate, inspire, and celebrate the natural wonders of the Danube River Basin. Join the celebration and become a part of something truly special!
