Extraordinary 53rd General Meeting of STG ERB Members
Yesterday, the 53rd Extraordinary General Meeting of Members of the Association of Polish Municipalities of the Baltic Euroregion was held in Stawiguda. During the meeting, the Association's current activities and initiatives were discussed, as well as the directions of cooperation after 2027. Participants had the opportunity to listen to speeches by invited guests and take part in an interactive session using the Mentimeter tool, which allowed them to gather opinions and ideas on the future functioning of the Association. The meeting was another step towards strengthening cooperation between local governments in the region.
CONE - meeting in České Budějovice 1-3.10.2025
Another successful international collaboration is behind us!
This time, we gathered in our small living lab in České Budějovice as part of the Interreg Central Europe CONE – Cities of Nature project, where we aim to implement and test a variety of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
From 1–3 October 2025, we took part in a conference and study visit hosted by our Czech partners, joined by the entire consortium representing diverse institutions from across Central Europe — including our colleagues from the City of Wejherowo, the City and Municipality of Sztum, and Gdańsk University of Technology.
Over three days of work and discussion, our southern neighbours demonstrated how effectively they are preparing their cities and engaging local communities in promoting nature-based solutions as a means to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
They also showed us how essential it has become to rediscover and apply NbS in building sustainable cities and societies — as tools that connect tradition, history, culture, and a safe, friendly living environment for local communities.
During the study visits, we had the opportunity to see how rain gardens and green infrastructure are being implemented in the Czech Republic, particularly in the South Bohemian region. These initiatives help improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen urban resilience to climate change.
We also learned how medium-sized cities, facing challenges such as their location at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers, are adapting to climate threats and creating safer, more livable environments for their residents.
The event also included a series of interviews, consultations, and planning sessions focused on the next steps for our pilot activities and technical work, all aimed at building resilient and inclusive communities across Central Europe.
SCONE - youth camp
Over the last three days, we have been both the organizer and participant of an unusual project event – the Flow with Nature youth camp, organized as part of the SCONE project.
On the first day, the international Students' Sustainability Camp was officially launched at the Old Town Hall in Elbląg. Participants took part in a workshop entitled “Digital storytelling,” which introduced them to the subject of project work. Then, the young people divided into three groups and set off into the field: to Lake Drużno for an ecology lesson, to the Archaeological and Historical Museum in Elbląg to learn about the history of amber and the Vikings, and to workshops on climate change and adaptation to water-related challenges. There was also an online meeting for teachers on the topic of education for sustainable development.
We spent the second day of the camp in Gdańsk, where participants had the opportunity to explore the city and its natural wealth. Some of the camp participants visited Gdańsk University of Technology, taking part in classes in rain gardens and learning about ecological solutions on campus. Others explored the historic part of Gdańsk, observing its cultural heritage and urban transformation. Another important part of the day was a trip to Sobieszewska Island, where the young people took part in field activities on the beach and lectures at the MiIZ PAN Ornithological Station.
The last day of the youth camp organized as part of the SCONE project was full of excitement and a large dose of substantive knowledge combining creativity, nature, and local heritage. Nature writing workshops inspired participants to describe nature in their own words, while digital storytelling developed new ideas. The Elbląg Upland, Kadyny, and the Old Town revealed their stories and landscapes to us. Finally, there was fun and a disco, because the energy of young people is the best way to end an eventful day!
Waterman partnership meeting
Yesterday marked the start of the meeting of all WaterMan project partners. The first day was devoted to presenting the final forms of pilot activities concerning water reuse in partner countries (PL, DK, SE, LT, LV, DE), discussing experiences from their implementation, presenting the results of the first evaluations, and discussing with an international panel of experts who shared recommendations for further optimization of solutions.
The aim of the meeting is to gather experiences, evaluate the effects, and jointly plan the next steps towards sustainable water management in the Baltic Sea region.
On the second day, a conference entitled “Nature-based solutions – a fad or a real need?” was held, which will be discussed in more detail in the next article. The third day of the meeting was devoted to the presentation of the final versions of regional water recycling strategies prepared by the project partners. Each project was discussed and evaluated by an international panel of experts, which allowed the activities to be viewed in the light of other countries' experiences. The second part of the day was devoted to planning the next steps in disseminating the project results, including the final version of the “Water Recycling Toolbox,” preparations for workshops and conferences (Sopot, Brussels, Kalmar), and the division of tasks and responsibilities among the partners.
Nature-based solutions – a fad or a real need?
On September 25, a conference entitled “Nature-based solutions – a fad or a real need?” was held as part of the Waterman project. Participants of the conference and study visit devoted to nature-based solutions had the opportunity to see pilot implementations in Braniewo – a rain garden, innovative solutions in the municipal swimming pool, and a water reuse system.
During the conference, inspiring presentations were given by experts from all over Poland, who shared their knowledge about the practical application of NBS, their benefits, and challenges. The expert panel discussed, among other things, how to combine the experiences of local governments, universities, and organizations in national and international projects. Participants also took part in a NatureScape workshop, which showed how GIS and AI technologies support the design and monitoring of nature-based solutions. It was a day full of practical knowledge, inspiring conversations, and examples that nature-based solutions are not a fad, but a real need for our cities and communities.
Event organizer: WaterMan Project – Interreg Baltic Sea Region, co-financed by the European Union
Event partners: Projects: Nursecoast-II, CONE, Invest4Nature, NICE, NatureScape (Biodiversa+). Cities and institutions: City of Braniewo, City of Poznań, City of Wejherowo, Gdańsk University of Technology, Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, ASSOCIATION OF POLISH MUNICIPALITIES EUROREGION BALTIC, Lisode.
Honorary patronage:
Radosław Król, Governor of Warmia-Masuria Province
Marcin Kuchciński (Marcin Kuchciński - Marshal of Warmia-Masuria Province)
Supporting institutions:
Elbląg Technology Park (EPT)
ReNutriWater Project (Interreg Baltic Sea Region)
Burego Misia Community Foundation
Media patronage:
TVP3 Olsztyn
Radio ESKA
Polish Radio Olsztyn
Braniewo Portal
The event is part of the WaterMan project, co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program 2021–2027.
D-EFFECT and the Round Table in Elbląg
The D-EFFECT Project and Round Table in Elbląg – together for the future of democracy!
Today, a meeting was held at the Old Town Hall in Elbląg as part of the D-EFFECT – Lessons of Democracy in Civil Society project. It was a unique opportunity to talk about democracy, participation, and preparations for the upcoming Festival of Democracy with young people, international partners, and city representatives.
The program included, among other things:
inspiration from the Democratic Youth Festival in Denmark,
group work on the festival's content program,
discussions about the logistics and organization of the event,
creation of thematic teams.
We would like to thank all participants for their activity and openness—together we are creating a space where the voice of young people in Europe really matters.
