Green Islands: A Journey of Sustainability, Culture & Connection in Porto Santo

A Day of Adventure and Connection in Porto Santo

Our first morning started early as we woke up to catch the sunrise. The sky slowly turned shades of pink and orange, and we took a moment to soak in the peaceful beauty of Porto Santo.

Soon we met the Portuguese team. To break the ice, we played some fun introduction games and even acted out short scenes together, which made everyone feel more comfortable and connected.

Later, we split into two groups—Portuguese and Latvian—and each team created a collage representing their own country. It was amazing to see the creativity and unique perspectives that everyone brought to the table!

Next, we visited the local school, we had a short tour around the school, peeking into different classrooms and even chatting with some of the teachers. It was a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the local education system and exchange a few words with the students.

After that, a bus picked us up, and we set off on an exciting trip to the mountains. There, we learned about the native plants of Porto Santo, guided by the Florestal Police themselves. Not only did we learn about the island’s unique ecosystem, but we also got the chance to actively contribute by planting some of these plants. It felt amazing to leave a small but meaningful mark on the island!

Once we reached the top of the mountain, we took a well-deserved break to admire the breathtaking views. The fresh air and stunning landscapes made all the hiking worth it. After a moment of rest, we hiked back down, where our bus was waiting to take us back to the city for some free time.

The rest of the afternoon was spent simply enjoying the little things—walking barefoot along the shore, eating ice cream, and chatting with each other.

Later in the evening, we all gathered once again for a classic game of Mafia, full of suspense, laughter, and friendly competition.

It was a perfect day—filled with nature, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.

Exploring, Learning, and Sharing Cultures in Porto Santo

Our morning started with a cozy breakfast of pancakes, waffles, cereal, and, of course, a nice cup of coffee. It was the perfect way to fuel up for the day ahead. After breakfast, we had some free time to pack up and get ready before heading out to explore the city.

But this wasn't just an ordinary walk—together with our Portuguese teammates, we took part in a city quest, which helped us discover Porto Santo in a fun and interactive way. Running around the town, solving tasks, and uncovering interesting facts about the island made the experience even more exciting!

Once the challenges were completed, we had some free time to wander around, admire the beautiful city, and pick up a few souvenirs to bring back home.

later we were given an interesting task—to create a video about environmental issues. To prepare for this, we attended a conference where we learned about the severe problem of ocean pollution and its impact on marine life.

Later in the afternoon, we gathered in our teams and started working on our videos, brainstorming ideas and filming different scenes. At one point, we were tempted to go for a swim, but a sudden storm and heavy rain changed our plans. So, we decided to save that for a sunnier, calmer day.

Once our videos were completed and we had some time to relax, we headed to dinner, where we were joined by our Portuguese friends. But the real highlight of the evening was yet to come—a cultural food exchange night!

Let's decide what it is to be sustainable...when you live on an island

Each of us brought traditional food from our country and shared a bit about its history and the special occasions it’s eaten at. Before we started tasting, we introduced the Portuguese team to some interesting facts about Latvia. As a special touch, we made bracelets with the Latvian flag and painted Latvian symbols with henna on their hands. It was such a beautiful moment of cultural exchange, connecting us even more.

It was another unforgettable day, filled with discovery, teamwork, and cultural bonding.

When the Storm Took Over, We Took on a New Challenge!

We were excited and ready for our beach cleanup, especially after learning about the harmful effects of microplastics on the island’s ecosystem and our own health. But, as we quickly realized, nature doesn’t follow project schedules—a powerful storm hit Porto Santo, forcing us to cancel the cleanup.

But did we let that stop us? Absolutely not! Instead, we dived into a different kind of environmental action—The PLANET4B Food-Governance Game! 🎲🌿 This innovative, role-playing board game, developed as part of the EU’s Horizon Europe PLANET4B project, challenges players to navigate the complexities of food production, biodiversity, and policymaking.

The game quickly turned into an intense battle of strategies and debates, where participants took on the roles of farmers, consumers, and policymakers and were made to take on the complex decision.

The game ended with a discussion on the current realities of sustainable farming and challenges our countries face to prioritize Biodiversity.

Since we were on a roll, we decided to continue our gaming session—this time with a Resilience Game that our team leaders were testing. This game challenged us to work on several key aspects: critical thinking, leadership, art, and mindfulness. Each task pushed us to think deeper, step out of our comfort zones, and engage creatively.

And ufff... it was not easy!  Some challenges made us reflect, some required teamwork, and others tested our ability to stay present and focused. But in the end, it was an incredible experience that helped us grow and understand resilience in a whole new way.

With extra free time on our hands, we split into small groups and headed into town. Some of us bought souvenirs, others simply wandered and enjoyed the views, and a few even got caught in the rain—but that only made the experience more memorable!

Dinner was another highlight—potatoes, vegetable soup, and brownies—shared with our new friends the three Jaos and Matilde. And of course, we ended the night with a classic round of Mafia, full of suspense, laughter, and strategic betrayals.

Despite the storm, the day was filled with unexpected adventures, deep discussions, and new friendships—a perfect reminder that plans may change, but great experiences will always find their way to us. 

Another morning we enjoyed incredibly delicious pancakes for breakfast. Right after, we headed to the local school to participate in the creation of an art installation depicting a fish. The artwork was made entirely from waste materials found on Porto Santo Island.

For lunch, we had the opportunity to try the traditional Portuguese dish "bacalhau". Afterward, we finished our artwork and placed it in the local municipality building before heading to the ocean for a swim. The waves were truly impressive!

Thanks to local fishermen, we even had the chance to take photos with a starfish.

SWAP, Style, Repeat – Porto Santo’s First-Ever Swap Party!

We never thought swapping clothes could be this much fun! When we first heard about the idea of a SWAParty happening on our island, we weren’t sure what to expect. But as soon as we arrived, we realized this was something special.

With the support of the Municipality of Porto Santo and the Porto Santo Biosphere Reserve, we gathered with over 20 participants, including local students, international guests, and island residents. The idea was simple: instead of buying new clothes, we exchanged them. And it turned out to be so much more than just a fashion event—it was a chance to connect, share, and learn about sustainability in a way we had never experienced before.

The best part? Seeing how excited everyone was—searching through clothes, helping each other find the perfect fit, and leaving with something “new” without spending a single cent. We realized that fashion doesn’t have to mean waste, and that small changes—like swapping instead of buying—can make a big difference.

We believe this event was not just a fun gathering, but an important step for our island. We hope this is just the beginning of a new sustainable tradition in Porto Santo.

What I Learned About Marine Litter in Porto Santo

Before coming to Porto Santo, I never really thought about where plastic waste goes after we throw it away. I knew it was bad for the environment, but I had no idea that plastic waste can literally travel around the world before breaking down into microplastics that end up in our food, water, and even inside our bodies. 😳

As part of the Green Islands project, we had an eye-opening session with marine biologists from "Direção Regional do Ambiente e Mar". They explained how plastic pollution moves through the ocean currents and how it affects marine life, human health, and the planet as a whole. It was shocking to learn that tiny plastic particles are now found in the fish we eat and even in the air we breathe.

The most surprising part? Most of this plastic could have been avoided if we were more mindful of our consumption and waste. Seeing this reality up close made me realize how important it is to change our habits.

I'm really grateful to have had this opportunity to learn from experts and to be part of this project. It’s amazing that there are people out there who dedicate their time to educating others about such important issues, making complex environmental problems understandable for everyone. A huge thank you to the Municipality of Porto Santo, Reserva da Biosfera da UNESCO – Porto Santo and Whale Heritage Area Madeira for organizing this session especially for us—it means a lot to know that we were given the chance to learn firsthand from professionals.

Now, I know that small actions—like reducing plastic use and recycling properly—can

Now We Understand Why It’s Called "Green Islands"

Looking back at our days on Porto Santo, we see how deeply sustainability, culture, and community were woven into everything we did. From planting trees on the mountaintop to creating art from marine waste, from playing thought-provoking resilience games to swapping clothes instead of buying new ones, every experience reminded us of the power of small actions in creating a greener future.

We came here as participants, but we leave as active changemakers—more aware of the impact of our choices and more connected to the world around us. Now, we truly understand why this project is called Green Islands. Because it's not just about the place—it’s about the people, the ideas, and the commitment to making every island, every community, and every action a little greener.