- The educational competition initiated by Apa Nova Bucharest, a Veolia Group company, is expanding nationwide for the first time and, starting this year, will be carried out under Veolia Romania’s coordination
- The Olympiad is open to students in grades 2–7 across the country, with registrations taking place between April 6 and May 20, 2026
- “Nature Between Waters” brings biodiversity closer to children and invites them to explore the world of ecosystems
In a context where environmental education is becoming increasingly important for the younger generations, initiatives that bring children closer to nature and biodiversity help shape a responsible relationship with the environment and natural resources.
In this regard, Veolia Romania is launching the 2026 edition of the “Nature Between Waters” Olympiad, which, starting this year, becomes a national biodiversity competition dedicated to students in grades 2–7 across the country. The competition will take place online - on May 23 for primary school students and on May 24 for lower secondary school students - and the winners will be awarded during a ceremony organized on June 13, 2026.
Initiated in 2023 by Apa Nova Bucharest, a Veolia company, the Olympiad was launched as an educational project inviting students to discover biodiversity and the role of aquatic ecosystems in an interactive and engaging way. During its first three editions, organized locally in Bucharest and Ilfov, the competition enjoyed growing interest among students, with participation increasing steadily by approximately 40% from one edition to the next, reaching nearly 3,000 registered students.
“Education is one of the most important investments in the future. Through the ‘Nature Between Waters’ Olympiad, we aimed to offer children an experience that transforms their curiosity about nature into a genuine motivation to understand and protect it. Developing the competition nationwide is a natural step, and we are pleased that more and more students across Romania will have the opportunity to discover biodiversity and the essential role of nature in community life,” said Mădălin Mihailovici, CEO of Veolia Romania.
This year’s edition marks a new stage in the project’s development and offers students nationwide the opportunity to take part in a biodiversity Olympiad that combines learning with a competitive spirit and the desire to explore the natural world. The competition is organized with the support of EducațiePrivată.ro, a platform dedicated to promoting innovative ideas and initiatives in education.
“Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and competitions such as ‘Nature Between Waters’ transform this curiosity into an authentic learning experience. Through questions and challenges inspired by nature, students discover biodiversity and better understand the role each of us plays in protecting the environment. We are delighted that this initiative now reaches students across the country and can inspire more children to look at nature with greater attention and responsibility,” said Oana Dimofte, founder of Educație Privată.
As part of the competition, students will complete tests developed by specialists in biology and ecology, designed to stimulate curiosity and critical thinking around topics related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental protection. The evaluation is carried out by independent teachers to ensure transparency and objectivity in the judging process.
Students’ performance will be rewarded with prizes totalling over €20,000, awarded for each grade level and divided into three categories - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place - consisting of vouchers as well as explorer kits designed to encourage nature discovery and biodiversity exploration. In addition, five honourable mentions will be awarded for each grade. Teachers who support students in participating in the competition will also be recognized for their involvement, including dedicated awards for teachers whose students win 1st place, as well as a special prize for the teacher with the highest number of students registered in the competition.
Details regarding registration and the competition rules are available on the official website: www.naturadintreape.ro.
ABOUT VEOLIA
Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build environmental security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste - including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of €44.4 billion in 2025.
In Romania, Veolia provides water and energy management solutions. With 3,600 employees, the company operates strategically at the local level to deliver essential services to the highest quality standards and to support the development of smart cities, serving over 2.1 million customers. Over more than 25 years of activity, Veolia Romania has generated a direct economic impact of over €2.31 billion.
ABOUT EducațiePrivată.ro
EducatiePrivata.ro is the first online platform dedicated to education. Here, you will find all relevant information about both private and public education, presented through high-quality editorial content developed by professionals.
The platform serves as a driver of progressive ideas, grounded in values such as dialogue, modernity, dynamism, flexibility, and balance. We believe that changing attitudes is the only way to transform mindsets; therefore, our platform also acts as a vehicle for best practices, essential for the profound transformation of schools in Romania.