From 29 September to 1 October 2026, Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana hosted the 25th, jubilee edition of the Festival for the Third Age (F3ŽO), the central event in Slovenia dedicated to older people and intergenerational cooperation. At the stand of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (MOP), the Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia (IzVRS) acted as the Ministry’s expert partner and presented its work in water management and protection.
A promotional film showed visitors the many aspects of IzVRS’s work, from field sampling and research into the status of waters to expert work on rivers and the sea. The presentation demonstrated how expert data and research contribute to understanding processes in the aquatic environment and to designing measures for its protection.
Particular attention was given to the issue of litter in waters. IzVRS presented the GPS trackers it uses to trace the path of floating litter along the Soča River towards the sea. This activity is part of wider efforts to better understand the links between waste management on land, river pollution and the state of the marine environment. Visitors also met IzVRStna, the marble trout mascot that accompanies IzVRS’s awareness-raising activities, and tried the interactive game “Clean Soča”. In a simple and accessible way, the game encourages reflection on the impact of litter on rivers and on how each of us can help protect them.
Information materials with practical tips for reducing waste and preventing it from entering waters were also available. IzVRS staff explained the importance of responsible waste management and answered visitors’ questions about water monitoring and the Institute’s work.
To liven up the programme, IzVRS staff organised a prize draw open to all visitors. Participants completed a form with a prize question, the answer to which could be found in the information materials on display. Three children’s caps and three backpacks featuring the IzVRStna logo were drawn among all entries and will be sent to the winners by post. In line with personal data protection rules, all entry forms were destroyed after the draw.
The presentation was clear, illustrative and interactive, and fitted well with this year’s central theme of the festival, lifelong learning. Caring for water connects all generations, and new knowledge and responsible habits can become part of everyday life at any age.
Through its research, development and expert work, IzVRS provides support to the Ministry in the field of water. By taking part in the festival, it brought expert content closer to the wider public and helped raise awareness of the importance of clean water and of each individual’s responsibility for protecting it.
