A World Cleanup Day Impact Photo Exhibition Opened in Brussels with Ukraine’s рarticipation

The World Cleanup Day Impact Photo Exhibition was officially opened at the European Parliament in Brussels. The exhibition was organized by the international organization Let’s Do It World in cooperation with Estonian Member of the European Parliament Urmas Paet. The exhibition will run from April 7 to April 10.

The exhibition presents powerful visual stories from 16 countries and brought together representatives and leaders from 26 countries, highlighting the global scale and impact of the World Cleanup Day movement.

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that waste is a global challenge: more than 2 billion tons of waste are generated worldwide each year. She stressed the need to unite efforts to build a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The exhibition is part of an international tour that demonstrates the scale, values, and human stories behind one of the largest environmental movements in the world.

Iuliia Markhel, leader of Let’s Do It Ukraine, stated:
“Ukraine’s participation in such large-scale international initiatives is extremely important. We demonstrate to the world our resilience and commitment to environmental values under any circumstances. This event reminds us that big changes begin with each individual’s contribution.”

Urmas Paet highlighted the importance of presenting a movement that originated in Estonia at the level of the European Parliament and emphasized its global significance. According to him, World Cleanup Day shows how citizens, communities, and countries can unite to achieve real positive change.

The event was also attended by national leaders of Let’s Do It World from Estonia, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Ukraine, Kosovo, Denmark, Romania, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, Latvia, Belgium, and Slovakia.

Among the distinguished guests were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Belgium, Helen Kaljuläte, and Member of the European Parliament from Germany, Marion Walsmann. Participants expressed support for the movement’s mission to strengthen global environmental responsibility.

Heidi Solba, President of Let’s Do It World, emphasized that the exhibition is a reminder of the power of people’s actions:
“This exhibition shows that when communities unite around a common goal, they can create a significant and lasting environmental impact. We are grateful to our partners in the European Parliament for the opportunity to present these stories.”

Let’s Do It World is a global environmental movement founded in Estonia that unites 164 countries. Over the years, World Cleanup Day has engaged millions of people in 211 countries and territories and has become one of the largest civic environmental initiatives in the world. The United Nations officially recognized September 20 as World Cleanup Day, confirming the global importance of this movement.

Let’s Do It Ukraine, led by Iuliia Markhel

Ukraine, a nation of 44 million people (pre-war), faces extraordinary waste management challenges, further intensified by ongoing Russian aggression. Beyond its rich agricultural lands and diverse ecosystems, the country now contends with environmental disaster zones caused by military activity. An estimated 211,000 square kilometres-nearly one-third of Ukraine’s territory-require de-mining. Thousands of bombed buildings, destroyed infrastructure, and military waste have led to unprecedented contamination, with reconstruction expected to generate over 5 million tonnes of construction debris.

Despite these overwhelming circumstances, World Cleanup Day in Ukraine has never ceased. It has emerged as a powerful symbol of national resilience and environmental commitment, in 2024, amid full-scale war, 404,121 people participated in World Cleanup Day-making it the country’s largest social eco-initiative and a global example of perseverance. Between 2021 and 2024, over 11 million participants collected more than 120.000 tonnes of waste.

Cleanup activities have become tools for healing, eco-volunteering, and education-even near the frontlines. Ukraine consistently ranks among Europe’s top countries for World Cleanup Day participation, demonstrating extraordinary civic engagement during wartime. The initiative has evolved from simple waste collection into a multifaceted movement that includes education, psychological support, and community rebuilding. Local leaders organise cleanups in relatively safe areas, often combining environmental action with humanitarian assistance. 

Even during war, Ukrainians do not give up they unite, rebuild, and protect what matters most. Let’s Do It Ukraine 505 Project has become more than just a humanitarian response-it has grown into a movement of dignity and care. From 2022 to 2024, the SOS humanitarian mission provided critical assistance to 1,192,548 individuals, and managed over 978 humanitarian shipments weighing more than 75,920 kg, establishing 18 humanitarian hubs across regions such as Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Chernivtsi

It also launched the “Let’s Do It Ukraine House” shelter network, dried and pest-controlled 100 households affected by the Kakhovka flooding disaster, renovated 7 shelters in educational institutions, and created a public access water well. The mission’s transport and logistics operation delivered 5 specialised vehicles to Ukraine, transported 9.814.6 tonnes of humanitarian cargo, and mobilised 435 minibuses, 202 trucks, and 3.932 pallets, engaging 469 drivers and logisticians, 8.961 volunteers, and 412 coordinators.

The United Nations recognised these efforts by awarding the UN SDG 2022 Honourable Mention for the implementation of the “Let’s Do It Ukraine SOS” project. “Let’s Do It Ukraine 50S” is an emergency humanitarian and environmental initiative Launched during the full-scale war.

But the numbers are only part of the story. Every school restored, every hot meal served, and every child who received a backpack-each reflects true service.

Learn more on the website: worldcleanupday.org, letsdoitukraine.org
Social media: facebook.com/letsdoitukraineeco / instagram.com/letsdoitukraine / https://www.tiktok.com/@letsdoitukraine

Vladyslava Bandura — Head of Press Center, +380661796779, press@letsdoitukraine.org