An unusual initiative has started from Moldova —
10 Million Steps for Ecology.
Two Moldovan activists are walking over 500 km across Turkey to raise funds for planting 2025 trees in Moldova.
Their route — the famous Lycian Way — marks the first stage of a large-scale campaign. Through this journey, the initiators aim to mobilize people to donate for saplings and invite everyone to join planting events alongside volunteers from the initiative “Plantăm fapte bune în Moldova / Parcurile Viitorului” — a team that has been restoring forests and saving rivers through cleanups and tree planting for many years.
The initiative is open to all: anyone can contribute — by donating or by participating in the #NumărăPașii challenge, a collective action aimed at symbolically reaching 10 million steps for nature.
We spoke with the initiators of the campaign. Here’s what they shared:
Who are you?
We are the administrators of the Telegram channel Friends MD, created to help people connect with each other for any kind of request. For over a year, our channel has united people across the country — whether for friendship, helping the lonely or newcomers to Moldova, or for large initiatives, charity actions, or simply interesting ideas.
What do you want to achieve?
On a larger scale, we want as many people as possible to learn about our project. It has already helped thousands make friends, find partners, fulfill dreams, or gather people around their causes.
Currently, within a charity campaign, we launched a challenge with our followers: the goal is to collectively walk 10,000,000 steps, sharing progress on social media to draw attention to environmental issues.
[Link to post]
As administrators, we decided to fully commit: we set off on foot along the Lycian Way in Turkey to attract even more attention and make a significant contribution to the common cause.
How did the idea to raise money for trees come up?
While preparing for the initiative, we asked ourselves: What real impact can we make, beyond raising awareness?
We began looking for volunteers already involved in hands-on environmental action — and found the organization Parcurile Viitorului ([Facebook link]).
We spoke with one of their coordinators, Petru. He told us that several years ago, a group of enthusiasts began planting forests in the Vadul lui Vodă area.
The initiative has gradually grown, attracting more and more participants. Now, they continue planting trees across the country on their own. Currently, they’re working to save the Bălțata River — cleaning it from trash and planting trees along its banks.
How exactly can people help?
We asked Petru: “What do you need the most?”
He replied: volunteers for planting and funds for buying saplings.
So we divided our campaign into two stages:
— During the hike and challenge, we’re collecting donations for saplings, which we’ll fully transfer to Petru and his team;
— Then we’ll organize a tree planting day and invite everyone to join us.
Everything will be documented through photos and videos to raise further awareness and inspire more good deeds.
What kind of trees will be planted?
That part is entirely up to the Parcurile Viitorului team. They have the experience and know which tree species are suitable and how to plant them properly.
Who will plant the trees?
We, together with our followers and anyone inspired by this initiative. The planting will be guided by experienced volunteers from Parcurile Viitorului.
Have you done similar projects before?
Yes. Over the past year, we’ve organized many volunteer and cleanup actions.
Our greatest achievement is the elimination of an illegal landfill in Valea Morilor Park ([link]), which we cleaned up with volunteers from the NGOs Pădurea Noastră and TRADIȚII, collecting and removing over 500 bags of waste.
Also, through our channel, followers organized various charity events:
— supporting animal shelters,
— planting trees,
— psychological support forums for vulnerable people,
and much more.
Why are you doing this?
The Friends MD project has been running for over a year and has helped many people bring their ideas to life and find like-minded individuals. We share requests from active people with a wide audience, believing that supporting good initiatives can change the country for the better.
But not everyone sees the value of our resource. That’s why we decided to lead by example — to show that the power of community can create large-scale projects, uniting people through a simple call to action.
What we’re doing — anyone can do. Or even more — using our platform.
How can Ecopresa readers help?
Right now, the most important thing is spreading the word — so it reaches everyone who cares about deforestation and environmental issues.
Even subscribing and sharing is already a huge contribution:
Instagram: @moldova_friends
Those who are able are invited to donate for saplings and prepare to join us in planting — shoulder to shoulder with our followers.