NURSECOAST-II Final Conference - Project Results and Key Outcomes

The NURSECOAST-II project summarised its activities, results and experience in developing sustainable wastewater management solutions for small communities and tourist areas across the Baltic Sea Region. The Final Conference provided an opportunity to present the outcomes of the pilot activities, exchange experience and discuss how the solutions developed within the project can be further applied and replicated.

On 10 September, the NURSECOAST-II Final Conference, entitled “Innovative and Sustainable Wastewater Management Solutions for Small Treatment Plants and Areas Under Seasonal Tourism Pressure in the Baltic Sea Region”, was held at the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The event brought together project partners, representatives of the scientific community, local authorities and the water and wastewater sector. The programme focused on the results of NURSECOAST-II, experience gained through the implementation of the pilot activities and opportunities to use the solutions developed within the project beyond its completion.

From pilot activities to solutions for wider application

The conference presented the project’s key results, tools and experience. Discussions focused on solutions for small-scale wastewater treatment systems, technologies tested at different locations across the Baltic Sea Region, their assessment and their potential for wider application.

Particular attention was given to wastewater management in tourist areas, where seasonal fluctuations in the number of users lead to significant variations in wastewater volumes and place additional demands on local infrastructure. The discussions covered both technological solutions and good practices and models supporting more flexible and sustainable wastewater management.

The presentations and discussions were complemented by materials developed within NURSECOAST-II, including posters presenting the project’s pilot activities and brochures summarising its main activities, solutions and results.

Different perspectives, shared challenges

An important part of the conference was the exchange of experience between local authorities, the water and wastewater sector, the scientific community and project partners. This made it possible to examine wastewater management challenges from both a technological perspective and the practical perspective of communities facing significant seasonal tourism pressure.

The programme included experiences from Krynica Morska and Nowa Karczma, as well as examples from Norwegian coastal communities. The cases demonstrated the diversity of local conditions and challenges faced by small municipalities and wastewater system operators.

What determines whether a solution can be implemented?

An important part of the conference was a co-creation workshop dedicated to future activities and development directions in water and wastewater management, facilitated by Prof. Magdalena Gajewska and Marcin Żuchowski, Director of the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (STG ERB).

Participants analysed the practical conditions for implementing sustainable solutions and the barriers that may affect their application. Key issues included investment time and costs, permitting procedures, changing regulatory requirements and access to financing.

The discussion also addressed the use of local and regional resources, the development of local cooperation and value chains, and solutions aimed at reducing water demand. The workshop provided a space to compare different perspectives and identify both barriers and opportunities for the further implementation of the solutions developed.

NURSECOAST-II results remain available for further use

The Final Conference marked the completion of an important stage of cooperation within NURSECOAST-II, while the knowledge, tools, pilot solutions and recommendations developed by the project remain available for further use.

The experience gained during the project can support the development of more flexible and sustainable wastewater management systems that are better adapted to the needs of small communities and tourist areas across the Baltic Sea Region.

Youth Democracy Festival in Denmark - Young People for Democracy Across Borders

On 10–11 September 2026, we participated in the Youth Democracy Festival in Odsherred, which brought together young people engaged in discussions about democracy, civil rights and freedom of expression.

Together with young people from Denmark and Sweden, we co-created workshops dedicated to freedom of expression, which were part of the YDF – Youth Democracy Festival events held on 11 September. It was an opportunity not only to exchange views, but above all to work together, listen to different perspectives and seek answers to questions that matter to the younger generation.

Democracy in Action

Participation in the festival showed that democracy is not only about voting and taking part in elections. It is also about the opportunity to express one’s views, engage in dialogue, cooperate, take responsibility and have a real influence on issues that affect us and our communities.

Thanks to the D-Effekt project and the Youth Democracy Festival method, young people can not only participate in events, but above all co-create them from the very beginning – choosing topics that matter to them, preparing workshops, engaging others and speaking out on issues concerning their local communities, Europe and the future of democracy.

Cooperation Across Borders

The meeting in Odsherred was also an important experience of international youth cooperation. The joint preparation of workshops by young people from Poland, Denmark and Sweden showed that, despite linguistic and cultural differences, we can work together to create a space for dialogue and action.

D-Effekt connects young people across borders and provides them with tools for active participation in civic life. The festival in Odsherred was another example of how, when young people are given space, trust and the opportunity to take action, democracy becomes something we not only learn about, but something we experience and co-create.

The D-Effekt Project

D-Effekt supports the development of young people’s civic engagement, their participation in democratic life and international cooperation. Through Youth Democracy Festivals, young people from different countries can jointly create engaging events and discuss issues that genuinely matter to them – both locally and internationally.

Circular MuSe - From Presentation to Solutions in Practice

The Circular MuSe pilot focusing on the reuse of sand collected during winter street cleaning was one of the practical solutions presented to COEE 2026 participants during a study visit to Wejherowo. The visit to Ekofabryka Wejherowo demonstrated how circular economy principles can be put into practice and contribute to more efficient use of resources in municipal services.

The final day of the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 was dedicated to study visits, giving participants an opportunity to relate the topics presented and discussed during the conference to concrete solutions implemented at the local level.

One of the sites included in the programme was Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where participants learned about circular economy solutions and practical experience related to their implementation in an urban context.

Circular MuSe pilot in Wejherowo

An important part of the visit was the presentation of the Circular MuSe pilot focusing on the reuse of sand collected during winter street cleaning in Wejherowo. The activity contributes to one of the project’s key objectives – increasing the circularity of municipal services through resource recovery and reuse, as well as developing new approaches to material management.

The visit provided participants with an opportunity to explore the practical dimension of the solution and learn about local experience with its implementation. It also demonstrated how a material previously treated as waste can be considered a potential resource and brought back into circulation.

The experience gained in Wejherowo is also relevant in terms of the potential transfer and adaptation of similar solutions by other cities and municipalities. Combining knowledge exchange, demonstration of solutions and practical implementation experience is an important element of Circular MuSe and supports the development of more circular models for municipal service delivery.

COEE 2026 – the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – was organised by Gdańsk University of Technology and its Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

CONE Project Partners Met in Wejherowo

On 9 September 2026, CONE project partners met in Wejherowo, combining a working meeting with a study visit to sites connected with local project activities. The programme provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of the project and the next stages of CONE implementation, while also taking a closer look at the practical application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban areas.

An important part of the programme was a visit to sites connected with CONE pilot activities implemented in Wejherowo. The partners visited the courtyard at 8 Śmiechowska Street, where a rain garden has been created, as well as the site of the former mill pond on the Cedron River, whose restoration is intended to restore its water retention capacity. The field visit provided an opportunity to learn about local conditions and exchange experience on the practical application of Nature-Based Solutions in water management and urban space.

The programme also included a visit to Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where participants learned about local solutions and experience related to municipal management.

Partners’ meeting at Wejherowo Town Hall

Another part of the programme took place at Wejherowo Town Hall. The Mayor of Wejherowo, Krzysztof Hildebrandt, introduced the participants to the city, its history and development priorities. A visit to the Museum of the Wejherowo Region provided an opportunity to gain further insight into the local context and history of the city.

The Town Hall also hosted the working session of the CONE partners’ meeting, focusing on the ongoing implementation of the project, progress to date and planned activities. Direct exchange between the partners, combined with visits to the pilot sites, made it possible to relate project discussions to the specific conditions and challenges associated with implementing Nature-Based Solutions in cities.

The meeting in Wejherowo thus combined work on the further implementation of the project with a practical perspective on local CONE activities and the potential of Nature-Based Solutions to contribute to more climate-resilient urban areas.

NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe – From Knowledge to Practice at COEE 2026

Study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk concluded the participation of NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe in COEE 2026. The final day of the conference gave participants an opportunity to see practical solutions for sustainable water management, green retention and the circular economy – areas directly linked to the activities developed within these projects.

The final part of the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 programme consisted of study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk. Following several days of presentations, panel discussions and exchange of experience, participants had the opportunity to see how the topics discussed during the conference translate into concrete solutions implemented at the local level.

Wejherowo – sustainable water and waste management

In Wejherowo, participants visited Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where practical solutions and experience related to waste management and the transition towards more circular use of resources were presented. The programme also addressed sustainable water management at the city level.

Wejherowo provided a particularly clear example of how the topics discussed at the conference connect with activities carried out within the CONE and Circular MuSe projects. The two projects address complementary areas: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in stormwater management and the implementation of circular economy principles in municipal services.

Gdańsk – green retention and resource recovery

In Gdańsk, the first part of the visit focused on green retention. Participants learned about Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) used in stormwater management and their role in increasing urban resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Another part of the programme focused on waste management and the transition from conventional waste management towards resource recovery and reuse. The solutions presented demonstrated how circular economy principles can be translated into the practical operation of cities and municipal infrastructure.

From conference knowledge to practical solutions

The study visits provided a practical continuation of the topics presented and discussed during COEE 2026. They enabled participants to relate research, project results and exchanged experience to solutions operating under real-life conditions.

Activities developed within CONE and Circular MuSe in Wejherowo demonstrated two important directions in urban transformation: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in water management and the implementation of circular economy principles. Together with the experience of NURSECOAST-II in sustainable water and wastewater management, they provided a coherent perspective on how research, knowledge exchange and project cooperation can lead to practical solutions across the Baltic Sea Region.

COEE 2026 – the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – was organised by Gdańsk University of Technology and its Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

NURSECOAST-II at COEE 2026 - Solutions, Pilots and Exchange of Experience

The NURSECOAST-II project had a strong presence at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot. Experiences and solutions developed within the project were presented during three Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion sessions focusing on nature-based solutions, circularity, and the mitigation of emerging pollutants. The conference also provided a space for direct knowledge exchange between the scientific and expert community and representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector.

NURSECOAST-II at COEE 2026

The 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 is taking place in Sopot from 6 to 9 September 2026, bringing together researchers, experts and practitioners from different countries to discuss current challenges and solutions in ecological and environmental engineering.

The conference is also attended by representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector, providing them with an opportunity to learn about research findings, practical experience and solutions addressing current challenges in areas such as wastewater management and environmental protection.

NURSECOAST-II in three Ideation Project Multi-Forum sessions

On 8 September, NURSECOAST-II experiences and solutions were presented during three Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion sessions:

The project contributed experience related to the challenges caused by seasonal increases in wastewater volumes in tourist destinations across the Baltic Sea Region. NURSECOAST-II combines research and expert knowledge with the practical testing of solutions at pilot sites, allowing their performance to be assessed under real-life conditions.

From pilot activities to practical solutions

The presentations at COEE 2026 focused on solutions being developed and tested through NURSECOAST-II pilot activities. These included approaches to reducing nutrient loads in wastewater treatment plants serving tourist areas, experience from a pilot investment in a wastewater treatment plant in Finland, and the application of nanobubble technology in wastewater treatment.

The project's presence at the conference was complemented by posters presenting the NURSECOAST-II pilot activities and brochures introducing the project's activities, solutions and results. This allowed participants to explore both the technical aspects of the tested solutions and the broader range of knowledge and experience developed within the project.

Putting knowledge into practice

The conference presentations and discussions will be followed by a practical component. On 9 September, participants will take part in study visits, providing an opportunity to see solutions related to wastewater management and the challenges addressed by NURSECOAST-II in practice.

By combining scientific knowledge, experience from pilot activities, exchange between projects, and the involvement of representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector, the event provides a platform to discuss not only the technologies themselves, but also their potential application and transfer to other locations across the Baltic Sea Region.

CONE on Nature-Based Solutions at COEE 2026

The CONE – Cities of Nature project was presented at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot. On 8 September, as part of the Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion “Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas”, the project contributed its experience from Urban Living Labs, where nature-based solutions are combined with the active involvement of local stakeholders in their planning, implementation and evaluation.

Nature-Based Solutions at the centre of the discussion

The “Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas” session focused on nature-based solutions (NBS) and their potential to address current environmental and climate challenges.

The Ideation Project Multi-Forum provided a space to bring together experiences from different projects, research approaches, and solutions being developed and tested in practice. Discussions covered, among other topics, the use of NBS in urban areas, green infrastructure, and the adaptation of cities and local communities to climate change.

CONE experience from Urban Living Labs

CONE contributed to the discussion with experience gained through activities carried out within Urban Living Labs. Within the project, nature-based solutions are developed not only as technical and environmental interventions, but also through a process that actively involves local stakeholders.

This approach makes it possible to combine the planning and implementation of NBS with the knowledge and needs of local communities. Stakeholders can participate in the development, testing and evaluation of solutions, helping to ensure that the activities are better adapted to the specific conditions and needs of each location.

Knowledge and experience exchange

CONE's participation in COEE 2026 also provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience among representatives of international projects, the scientific community, and practitioners working with nature-based solutions, green infrastructure and climate change adaptation.

The conference discussions will be followed by further project activities. On 9 September, CONE partners will meet in Wejherowo for a partner meeting and study visits focused on further cooperation and the exchange of experience within the project.

Combining participation in the international conference with the planned project activities will provide an opportunity to connect the broader discussion on Nature-Based Solutions with the practical experience of CONE partners.

Circular MuSe on Circular Municipal Services at COEE 2026

How can circularity in municipal services be increased and proven solutions effectively transferred to smaller towns and rural areas? These questions were at the centre of the Circular MuSe presentation during the Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion “Circularity in Waste & Water Management”, held on 8 September as part of the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot.

Circular MuSe in the discussion on circular municipal services

During the forum, the Circular MuSe approach to more efficient and circular use of resources in municipal services was presented. The project focuses on identifying and transferring proven solutions, developing new approaches through pilot activities, and building the capacities of local authorities and municipal service providers.

The activities are primarily targeted at smaller towns and rural areas in the South Baltic region, supporting local actors in accessing and applying knowledge and experience related to the implementation of circular economy principles.

Circular Municipal Services Hub – knowledge and experience in one place

One of the key elements presented during the forum was the Circular Municipal Services Hub, currently being developed within the project. The Hub is designed to bring together case studies, good practices and circular economy solutions, while providing access to the knowledge and experience behind their practical implementation.

Knowledge transfer is also supported through training, mentoring, study visits and demonstration visits, enabling the exchange of experience among local authorities, municipal service providers, experts and project partners.

Circular MuSe pilot activities

Pilot activities are an important part of Circular MuSe, allowing circular economy solutions to be tested in practice.

One of these pilots is being implemented in Wejherowo and focuses on the recovery and reuse of sand collected during street cleaning. Other pilot activities address the use of sediments from retention basins, as well as methods for their treatment and subsequent reuse.

The practical dimension of Circular MuSe continued on 9 September in Wejherowo, where one of the study and demonstration visits planned within the project took place.

Exchange of experience between projects

The Ideation Project Multi-Forum at COEE 2026 also brought together representatives of other international projects, including CONE, NURSECOAST-II, CURE NbS, GINA, SMARTER, ReNutriWater, GI-mine and SYMBIOTER.

The forum provided a space for exchanging experience on water and circular resource management, nature-based solutions and the mitigation of micropollutants.

Circular MuSe’s participation in the forum combined the presentation of tools and pilot activities developed within the project with an exchange of knowledge and experience on the practical implementation of circular economy principles in municipal services.