Interreg BSR Programme 2021-2027, Priority 2 WATER-SMART SOCIETIES, Objective 2.1 SUSTAINABLE WATERS

Project number #S008

Partners: University of Warsaw, Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Foundation for the Protection of the Great Masurian Lakes, Gulbene Municipality

The project concerns establishing cooperation in the field of improving the quality of lake waters in tourist regions. It brings together representatives of science, NGOs and authorities at various level of governance, representing three Baltic countries: Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The aim of the project is to build networking hub for units interested in knowledge-based solutions limiting the impact of tourism on the quality of inland waters. Building trust to raise awareness of lake pollution is a key project objective. The cooperation of the scientific world with local authorities and other organizations is still insufficient. Establishing a trust-based relationship will allow for better recognition of real problems faced e.g. by local authorities and searching for knowledge-based solutions. This will be done by organizing meetings and training which will enable the synergy of scientific knowledge with knowledge about the real problems of local communities. International cooperation will enable the exchange of experiences and the development of good practices in the cooperation of authorities at various level of governance with the scientific community and other organizations. As part of the project, research units will conduct pilot study on the water quality of selected water reservoirs. The preliminary inventory of lake pollution will allow better identification of the problem and increase the knowledge of local authorities about the impact of tourism on water quality.

Implementation period: October 2022 – May 2024

Project budget EUR: 470 000, SCCIC budget, EUR: 100,400.00