Catalyst of Change
Supporting a vibrant civil society in Europe
Rio Neiva – Association for the Defense of the Environment
rioneiva.comRio Neiva – Associação de Defesa do Ambiente is a community-based environmental NGO dedicated to protecting ecosystems, promoting environmental literacy, and mobilizing citizens. Its mission is to care for the river, the land, and the people through environmental education, nature sports, volunteering, and multidisciplinary collaborations. Its vision is that of a resilient and participatory community, capable of living in harmony with its natural and cultural heritage. It works closely with schools, universities, local authorities, and civil society, promoting initiatives that combine the environment, social inclusion, and active citizenship
About the Project
“Águas Vivas” Festival
Esposende faces growing water-related challenges: urban pressure on coastal and riparian areas, coastal erosion, flooding and inundation exacerbated by climate change, diffuse pollution, and the fragility of the aquatic ecosystems of the North Coast Natural Park. These problems compromise not only biodiversity but also the right of communities to a healthy and safe environment.
One of the biggest challenges is the disconnection of young people from rivers and the ocean. Data collected by Rio Neiva as part of the Water Resilience project shows that many young people in Esposende have a low perception of water quality and little emotional connection to the territory. At the same time, the voice of local communities has little visibility in the public debate. These people are guardians of essential knowledge about the territory, but are rarely recognized as protagonists of change.
The Águas Vivas Festival aims to address these gaps by creating a mobilizing space where young people, schools, families, and community groups can learn, experiment, and act together in defense of water as a common good. The festival will be a driver of active citizenship, linking local environmental challenges to universal values such as environmental justice, equality, and democracy.
Communication Outputs
Funded by the European Union
name
Catalyst of Change: Protecting the Union values by supporting a resilient, engaged and vocal civil society for the promotion of women’s rights, environmental justice and anti-corruption
partner
European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL)
duration
1 January 2023- 31 December 2026
budget
3,411.982 EUR
