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 headquarters team and the Estonian Embassy for hosting and supporting this inspiring gathering in Brussels. The Leaders Academy (LA) felt like stepping into a living ecosystem of ideas, energy, and shared purpose – a good glimpse of who we are and why we are 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 kept surfacing: learning from each other. Everywhere you looked, there were examples of impactful initiatives – each one prompting the same internal questions: Can we do this in our country? Is it scalable? Does it fit our context? Can we make it happen? And we all know the answer: yes, we can!
A highlight of the event was the photo exhibition, where Roberta Metsola also appeared and gave us all extra energy. She is the patron of LDIW. She comes from an island, so she knows what ocean plastic does to nature. The exhibition showcased powerful images from across our global network, each telling a piece of the Let’s Do It World story – how it all began and how far we’ve come. There is a shared hope that this exhibition will travel the world, carrying our message even further. We are working on it, and the next stop will be, if we are lucky, the Global Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul, 5–7 June – cross your fingers.
The guided tour of the European Parliament was both impressive and enlightening. It gave us a deeper understanding of how the institution works and why engagement at this level matters.
The first day concluded with a relaxed and enjoyable dinner. The atmosphere was warm, the conversations lively, and yes – the pizza was hot.
Day two began with short introductions, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions ahead. Heidi Solba led a thoughtful session reflecting on our past achievements and future direction. Our new CEO, Siri Puttonen, introduced herself and shared her vision for the organisation. She comes across as a strong and energising force, and we warmly welcome her. There is a shared sense of anticipation for the momentum she will bring. Luan Hasanaj, Regional Director for Europe, an experienced and strong force from Albania, highlighted the importance of collaboration and sharing ideas.
Participating countries included and presented (with one-sentence remarks):
All delivered memorable presentations – maybe unexpectedly for some, but I am deeply impressed. Our work stands as a powerful example of what commitment and creativity can achieve.
The presentations at an LA are the glue we need to feel, where we see engaging and meaningful commitment all along the line. A heartfelt thank you goes out 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.
Day three continued with more presentations and discussions about funding, media coverage, new projects, future direction, and empowerment for our ongoing engagement. If you haven’t attended an LA, you should try to do so next time – they take place all over the world and you are always welcome. The next stop will be the Maldives, 21–23 June, an Asia LA-organised event. It will be a blast.
One important reflection: staying at different hotels reduces opportunities for connection. The informal moments – lobby conversations and breakfast discussions – are not small things. They are the social glue of our network, where ideas spark, trust builds, and collaborations are born. Keeping participants together strengthens the fabric of our community. We had lunches and dinners together, which is always a good opportunity for social media pictures and wise words.
I heard someone say during the meeting, “we are like the Three Musketeers…”. Their motto, as you all know, was: “All for one, one for all.”
Overall, the Brussels LA was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together – and how much more is still possible.
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