Let’s Do It World (LDIW) Board Member Pal Martensson reflects on his time at the LDIW Europe Leaders Academy, which took place at the Estonian Embassy in Brussels, 7–9 April.
A warm and heartfelt thank you to the LDIW headquarters team and the Estonian Embassy for hosting and supporting this inspiring gathering. From the very beginning, the Leaders Academy felt like stepping into a living ecosystem of ideas, energy, and shared purpose – a strong reminder of who we are and why we remain persistent.
It was a joy to reconnect with old friends and just as exciting to meet new ones. Across conversations, presentations, and informal moments, one theme stood out clearly: learning from each other. Everywhere you looked, there were examples of impactful initiatives – each one raising familiar questions: Can we do this in our country? Is it scalable? Does it fit our context? And, as always, the answer is clear – yes, we can.
A highlight of the gathering was the World Cleanup Day Impact Photo Exhibition opening at the European Parliament. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, joined the event and brought an extra sense of energy to the room. As a Patron of Let’s Do It World, and coming from an island herself, she understands the real impact of ocean plastic on nature.
The exhibition told the story of our global movement through powerful images – from where we started to how far we have come. There is a shared ambition to take this exhibition even further on its world tour, continuing to spread the message.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament – an experience that was both impressive and enlightening, and a reminder of the importance of engaging at every level to drive meaningful change.
At the heart of the Leaders Academy were the country presentations. From across Europe, leaders shared their experiences, challenges, and successes – demonstrating the strength and diversity of our movement.
From Ukraine’s work uniting communities during wartime, to Kosovo’s powerful results as a small country; from Slovakia’s strong organisation and Denmark’s determination to eliminate plastic, to Turkey’s investment in education and training programmes – each example showed what commitment and creativity can achieve. France once again demonstrated consistent high impact, while Iceland’s ‘Blue Army’ reflected total commitment. Across all presentations – including others from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Latvia, Romania and the Netherlands – there was a shared sense of purpose and determination.
These exchanges are what make the Leaders Academy so valuable. They are where ideas take shape, where inspiration turns into action, and where the strength of our global network becomes visible. Every leader contributes to this – and it is this collective effort that continues to drive the movement forward.
Beyond the sessions, the time spent together – in conversations, shared meals, and informal moments – reinforced the social glue that makes this network so strong. It is often in these moments that new ideas spark, collaborations begin, and trust is built.
A particularly meaningful part of the programme was a reflective session led by Heidi Solba, who guided participants through both the movement’s achievements to date and its future direction. It provided a valuable moment to pause, recognise how far the network has come, and align on where it is heading next.
The gathering also marked an introduction to new leadership. CEO Siri Puttonen shared her vision for the organisation, bringing a clear sense of drive and forward-looking energy that was warmly received. There is a shared sense of anticipation for the momentum she will bring in the next phase of development.
Complementing this, Regional Director for Europe Luan Hasanaj highlighted the importance of collaboration and the open exchange of ideas across countries – an approach that continues to underpin the strength and impact of the network.
Discussions also explored future opportunities: strengthening funding, expanding media reach, developing new projects, and empowering even greater engagement across regions. The energy and ambition are clearly there.
For those who have not yet attended a Leaders Academy, it is an experience worth having. These gatherings take place around the world and are open, welcoming, and full of inspiration. The next Leaders Academy will take place in the Maldives in June – and promises to continue this momentum for the LDIW Asia region.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the dedicated leaders who, every day of the year, inspire and mobilise people for clean-ups across the globe – this network thrives because of your passion and persistence.
As someone said during the meeting, “we are like the Three Musketeers…”. Their well-known motto still fits us perfectly: All for one, one for all.
The Brussels Leaders Academy was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together – and how much more is still possible.
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