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.

SCONE at the COEE 2026 Conference in Sopot

The SCONE – Sustainability Cooperation Network in the South Baltic project was present at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026), held in Sopot from 6 to 9 September. Participants of the international event had an opportunity to learn about the project, its main objectives and its activities supporting education and cooperation for sustainable development through information materials presented at the conference.

SCONE in an international scientific and expert environment

COEE 2026 brought together researchers, experts and practitioners addressing current challenges in environmental engineering and environmental protection. SCONE's presence at the conference provided an opportunity to increase the project's visibility and present its ideas to an international audience engaged in sustainability issues.

SCONE focuses on education for sustainable development, developing teachers' competences, engaging young people in climate and environmental activities, and strengthening cross-border cooperation in the South Baltic region.

The project's focus was closely connected with the broad range of topics addressed at COEE 2026, including nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, sustainable water and waste management, and the circular economy.

Projects and solutions for sustainable development

Other projects involving the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic were also present at COEE 2026. CONE, Circular MuSe and NURSECOAST-II were presented as part of the project forum and panel discussions, addressing different aspects of nature-based solutions, the circular economy and sustainable water management.

The presence of these projects at the conference created an opportunity to present different approaches and experiences and to exchange knowledge on solutions addressing current environmental challenges.

SCONE contributes to this discussion from the perspective of education, cross-border cooperation and youth engagement – important elements in building a more sustainable future for the South Baltic region.

Circular MuSe at the COEE 2026 Conference in Sopot

The Circular MuSe project was presented at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot. Prof. Krzysztof Czerwionka from Gdańsk University of Technology presented results of work on the safe recovery and reuse of material collected during street cleaning, including experience from the pilot activity implemented in Wejherowo.

From street waste to resource

During the conference, Prof. Krzysztof Czerwionka from Gdańsk University of Technology delivered the presentation “From Street Waste to Resource: Environmental Safety and Circular Reuse of Street-Sweeping Sand”, focusing on activities carried out within the Circular MuSe project.

The presentation addressed the management of material collected during street cleaning and its potential for safe reuse in line with circular economy principles. One of the examples presented was the pilot activity implemented in Wejherowo.

Circular MuSe pilot in Wejherowo

The pilot tests the washing of material collected during street cleaning in order to recover the sand it contains. The aim is to assess whether material that would normally be treated as waste can, after appropriate treatment, be safely reused.

The activities also include assessing the quality of the recovered material and testing solutions for the treatment of water generated during the washing process.

The Wejherowo pilot demonstrates in practice how solutions developed within Circular MuSe can support more efficient use of resources in municipal services and the implementation of circular economy principles at the local level.

Circular MuSe in the circular economy discussion

The project's presence at COEE 2026 went beyond the presentation of project results. Circular MuSe was also part of the Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion: Circularity in Waste & Water Management, dedicated to the exchange of experience and discussion on solutions supporting circularity in the waste and water management sectors.

Participation in the conference provided an opportunity to share experience gained through the Circular MuSe pilot activities and to exchange knowledge on the potential for wider application of the solutions being tested in municipal services.

CONE Living Lab in Tolkmicko – Nature, Education and Cooperation in Practice

The rain garden being developed at the Nicolaus Copernicus Primary School in Tolkmicko became a space for practical activities, education and local cooperation. As part of the CONE – Cities of Nature project, a Living Lab was held there, bringing participants together to work on the rain garden, while students took part in workshops focused on water, greenery and nature-based solutions.

Living Lab at the rain garden

The meeting took place at the Nicolaus Copernicus Primary School in Tolkmicko, where one of the Polish pilot activities of the CONE project – a rain garden – is being implemented.

The solution is designed to support local stormwater management, increase green space and demonstrate in practice how nature-based solutions (NBS) can help cities and local communities adapt to climate change.

During the meeting, representatives of the Town and Municipality of Tolkmicko, the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (STG ERB) and Gdańsk University of Technology presented the objectives of the CONE project, its pilot activities and the functions of the rain garden.

From knowledge to joint action

The practical part of the Living Lab provided an opportunity for participants to become directly involved. Together, they planted vegetation in the rain garden while learning about the role of the plants and their importance for the proper functioning of the system.

At the same time, students took part in co-creation workshops led by the Alternatywny Cypel Association. They discussed water, greenery and the space surrounding their school, exploring together how it could be shaped using nature-based solutions.

This combination of practical activities, education and collaborative development of ideas reflects the concept of a Living Lab – a space where solutions are developed with the active involvement of the local community and in response to the actual needs of a particular place.

NBS Working Group meeting

In parallel, a meeting of the NBS Working Group was held with representatives of STG ERB and the City of Wejherowo. The discussion focused on the activities carried out so far within the CONE project, including the pilot activities in Tolkmicko and Wejherowo.

The participants also discussed involvement in the COEE conference in Sopot, the project event in Padua, and opportunities to use and further develop the experience gained through future activities and initiatives related to nature-based solutions.

The Living Lab in Tolkmicko demonstrated the practical dimension of the CONE project – from implementing local solutions and education to engaging young people and exchanging experience among local authorities, experts and project partners.

The 3rd Round Table in Olsztynek as part of the D-Effect project—joint preparations for the Youth Democracy Festival

The third roundtable discussion took place in Olsztynek as part of the D-Effect project and focused on preparations for the Youth Democracy Festival (YDF), which will be held in September of this year. Representatives of youth groups, local institutions, and local governments worked together to develop the agenda for the roundtable event.

Third Roundtable

On August 5, 2026, the Third Roundtable was held in Olsztynek under the slogan “We’re Planning the Festival of Democracy”; it was dedicated to preparations for the Youth Democracy Festival. This was the final meeting of its kind, summarizing several months of consultations involving representatives of student councils, teachers, local government officials, and representatives of institutions and nongovernmental organizations. The meeting was a working session aimed at developing the program for the medium-scale, international festival.

Workshop

The main part of the meeting was a brainstorming workshop, during which participants collaboratively developed proposals for attractions and activities that could be included in the program of the Youth Democracy Festival. Ideas were written down on flashcards and then organized collectively in the most chronological order possible, creating a preliminary schedule for the event. The workshop was led by Kacper Chyła from the Proste Założenie Foundation, who moderated the discussion and supported the participants in developing a coherent concept for the festival program.

Results and Conclusions

The participants’ work resulted in the development of a preliminary schedule for the Youth Democracy Festival in Olsztynek, as well as the collection of numerous suggestions for attractions and activities that could be included in the event’s program, and a definition of the experience we want participants to take away from the event.

The outcomes developed during the Third Roundtable represent an important step in the preparations for the Second Youth Democracy Festival.

CONE Project Study Visit in Wejherowo

On September 9, 2026, the CONE project partners will meet in Wejherowo for a study visit focused on nature-based solutions, local pilot projects, and the use of the Urban Living Lab method in local government activities.

The CONE project focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions that address local climate challenges. A key element of the project is engaging residents, local governments, experts, the scientific community, and the private sector in the joint design, testing, and evaluation of solutions that can increase the resilience of cities and municipalities to the effects of climate change.

The program includes:

  • a presentation on Ekofabryka Wejherowo Sp. z o.o. and its activities,
  • an overview of pilot projects implemented as part of the CONE project,
  • a discussion on experiences with implementing nature-based solutions,
  • a meeting of project partners and a discussion of the next stages of collaboration,
  • an exchange of knowledge on the potential for applying the Living Lab approach in small and medium-sized cities and municipalities.

In the CONE project, a Living Lab is understood as an environment for collaborative work on solutions for the city. The process involves analyzing local needs and barriers, co-designing ideas, testing them, gathering feedback, and assessing the potential for further use and replication in other locations.

The visit to Wejherowo will be an opportunity to see local initiatives in action and discuss how nature-based solutions can support:

  • adaptation to climate change,
  • increasing the resilience of local communities,
  • better use of data in planning,
  • resident participation in decision-making,
  • the development of solutions that can also be applied in other municipalities.

The partners’ meeting will also allow us to compare the project’s objectives with local experiences and gather the knowledge needed to further develop, refine, and disseminate the pilot projects.

Date: September 9, 2026
Location: Wejherowo
Start of the visit: Ekofabryka

You can read more about the project on the website

https://eurobalt.org.pl/en/euroregion-baltic-ongoing-projects/cone/