The CONE project at the 11th European Congress of Local Authorities in March

The theme of the congress will be “Local government in times of uncertainty - local responses to global challenges.”

Date: March 2-3, 2026

Location: Mikołajki, Poland

As the official Institutional Partner of the Congress, APC ERB has incorporated the objectives of the CONE project into the national debate through a panel discussion entitled “Straight talk: hydrological risks,” dedicated to hydrological risks and nature-based solutions (NBS).

The meeting will be attended by experts from various fields who will discuss water-related hazards and ways in which nature can help mitigate them.

The panel will include, among others:

Tomasz Sielicki - Mayor of Braniewo and Vice-President of APC ERB; he will present the activities carried out in the Warmia region as part of the WaterMan project, with particular emphasis on practical solutions for water retention.

Marcin Ślęzak - Mayor of Gronowo Elbląskie; he will discuss the hydrological challenges specific to the Żuławy region and local adaptation strategies.

Prof. Magdalena Gajewska, representing Gdańsk University of Technology; she will present the scientific perspective of the CONE, CircularMuse, and WaterMan projects, highlighting how research supports the implementation of effective solutions.

Piotr Kryszewski - expert from Pomerania in the field of water retention strategies; will present his experience in planning and implementing green solutions for cities and regions.

Natalia Ferenc - representative of TUW PZUW; will discuss the links between climate adaptation strategies and risk management and insurance.

Marcin Żuchowski - Director of the APC ERB Secretariat; he will chair the meeting, coordinating the discussion and facilitating the exchange of experiences between participants.

Participation in the meeting is important for #CONEproject, as it enables networking and meetings between local government leaders from Poland and abroad.

The meeting provides an opportunity to present and exchange experiences in the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in different regions.

Project activities engage decision-makers and citizens through the Nature-Based Innovation Arena platform.