Simona Vaitkutė

Simona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Diplomacy, combining studies in international politics, history, and law. While exploring issues that connect economics, politics, and the environment, she realized the fragility of our civilization – a realization that directed her professional path toward teaching and journalism. Simona is also a researcher and entrepreneur with a strong interest in various aspects of sustainability and environmental protection.

For nearly two decades, Simona has been actively contributing to ecological thinking and environmental policy both in Lithuania and internationally. She co-founded and contributed to Lithuania’s first environmental publications, Green’asand Ozonas, and co-established the Šimonys Forest Community – an organization dedicated to forest protection through cultural initiatives and political action.


At her family homestead in the Šimonys Forest, a Natura 2000 protected area, she runs a small business specializing in sustainability consulting and organizes artist residencies, courses, camps, and other events. She is also the founder of the Forest Festival – an annual international event dedicated to environmental awareness.

As a teacher, Simona has worked in various roles. At the Green School in Bali, she co-created and taught a course on climate change adaptation for upper secondary students, mentored graduates in their final projects, and guided young Indonesian professionals in their environmental leadership initiatives. She has also developed and led environmental courses, camps, and educational workshops for children and youth in Lithuania, as well as for groups of senior school students.

Simona believes that learning should be connected to our lives, and that the best education comes from real-world experience and dialogue. In the classroom, she creates conditions for experimentation and gives students the freedom to follow their interests and curiosity.