The SeaMan project held another online meeting on 17.07.2023. This was the last regular meeting of the consortium before applying for a major project. The partners summarized the activities and progress of their work so far, including the conclusion of the visit to Poland.
The progress of the application preparation was discussed, comments were made on the concept paper, both in project one and project two of the future application, future project activities and the issue of reporting were raised. It was emphasized that each project activity must be closely linked to the target group and provide added value to it, so that there are no difficulties in determining the benefits of the participation of the target groups concerned. It was also pointed out that the focus should be on the long-term effects of the project and what remains after its completion.
As a reminder, the overarching goal of the project is to promote water literacy, awareness and knowledge of ecosystems as a basis for innovative and sustainable recreation and tourism.
Regular recruitment under Interreg SB (Call II) will begin with the beginning of October this year.
Study visit to Elblag - SeaMan project
On June 28 and 29 this year, we hosted our partners from Sweden and Lithuania in Elbląg. The two-day study visit was organized as part of the SeaMan project. The first day began with workshop work, during which we worked on the concept document of the future project application. During the workshop we also had an online connection with future regular project partners, Gdansk University of Technology and EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland.
After the workshop part, we went to the Elbląg River. First to the houseboat that the Water Group created a few years ago. There we listened to a short presentation on the water history of Elbląg, its location at the meeting point of three cultures, starting with the Truso settlement, and its connection with amber. The meeting participants also heard some information about Elbląg's Old Town and its reconstruction, as well as a bit of information about the area around Elbląg, which formed a group of islands in the past.
Another highlight of the program was a canoe trip on Wyspa Spichrzów and a motorboat trip to Drużno Lake. Guests had the opportunity to see at the same time one example of the use of water resources for recreation in our region and the whole range of assets and opportunities associated with the use of water in Elbląg and the surrounding area.
The next day we showed our partners how Elbląg's modern Water Treatment Plant works. We visited the control room, the room where water is filtered, learned that the water Elbląg residents use is drawn directly from deep wells, and got acquainted with the technological process EPWiK uses to make the water in the taps ultimately fit for consumption directly.
The next item on the agenda of the second day was a visit to the Elbląg Sea Port. The guests had the opportunity to get acquainted with the functioning of the port on a daily basis. The Port Director talked about the operations of the Elbląg port, maritime transport and its directions, as well as plans for greater transshipments in connection with the Vistula Spit re-digging.
After visiting the port, we went on a tour of the Elblag Highlands Landscape Park. The first stop was the Bird Paradise nature trail, which offers a view of the Elblag Bay, and the proximity of birds that inhabit our area makes this place particularly special. Participants of the tour were equipped with binoculars to admire the qualities of this place up close. The trail begins at road 503 in Rangóry. It is located by the right embankment, next to the ditch draining water from the Elblag Highlands. Visitors to this place have a unique opportunity to admire with their own eyes the diversity of nature of the area, along with the multitude of species, primarily birds, but also mammals, amphibians and insects, living in the wetlands.
The final point of the sightseeing tour was the Kadin Forest Nature Reserve, along with nearby architecture. We climbed to the vantage point from where we had a wonderful view of the Vistula Lagoon, and learned about the rich history of the area we visited.
After the presentation of our regional water and ecological resources, we returned to the workshop part, continuing to work on the concept paper and defining the next action steps. We then said goodbye to our partners, confirming the next meeting in an online format to further co-create possible concepts for water projects within the Sea Man project seed fund, meeting the needs of all project partners.
The event was attended by the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic, Non-public Educational Institution Academy of Water Sports "Group" Marcin Trudnowski, Elbląg Sea Port Authority Ltd, Sport club for Klaipeda city kids and Olympic sailing "Zalgiris", Kristianstad Municipality, Naturum Vattenriket visitor center, Klaipeda Lindenau Training Center, EU office Skane Northeast, Elbląg Water and Sewerage Company and Elbląg Highlands Landscape Park.
Working meeting of the Polish side, as part of the SeaMan project
A working meeting of the Polish side, within the SeaMan project, was held on 15.06.2023r. During the meeting, participants discussed future applications under regular programs. The work was aimed at the most feasible and best division of tasks assigned to each partner.
As a reminder, the first application will deal with infrastructure solutions, pilots, while the second will focus on education and networking activities.
In the course of the work, technical issues were addressed, and specific ideas and sketches emerged, related to a list of needs, an action strategy, a cooperation plan, a target group and the development of specific products.
Ideas for SeaMan project activities, developed at the meeting, include: a.)creating a nature trail along the Elblag River, with movable piers. Groups of children and young people from all over the country could come to this innovative place, b.) watersphere - a place where industry meets nature c.) an education center - the idea of cooperation between EPWiK and GW
-Physics and chemistry of water - what we can find in water, how to get energy from water -biology of water d.)innovative management of wastewater waste in small wastewater treatment plants.
In terms of networking, long-term products, already in operation after the project activities could be developed models of multi-sector cooperation / water curriculum / Educational multimedia system.
Ambassadors would be local leaders, the project consortium, associated partners, young local activists and activists, NGO's
The meeting was attended by: the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic, EPWiK, Water Group, Elblag Sea Port.
SeaMan - third online meeting
On June 9, 2023, the SeaMan project held its third online meeting.
During the meeting, the partners refined the details of the agenda for the upcoming project workshop in Elblag, scheduled for June 28 and 29 this year, then moved on to work on the Concept Paper of the project. The thematic areas and scope of the application were also discussed, and new partners in the project were defined. It was emphasized that it is very important to develop ideas for project activities, with the broadest possible base of them, and refine common challenges in future activities, within the framework of two independent initiatives.
Financial matters and issues related to the future partnership agreement were discussed. There was also discussion of similar project initiatives that could inspire action along the lines of the SeaMan project.
We are after another online meeting with SeaMan project partners. As a reminder, at the last meeting the project partners managed to develop two initiatives for future applications under the regular Interreg South Baltic program.
Today, the topic of the main project area of target groups and anticipated activities and results was continued. The list of potential partners for both application focus areas was expanded. New ideas and ideas for improvement activities in the topic in question emerged.
We are now preparing for the study visit and project workshop in Elbląg, scheduled for June 28 -29 this year.
SeaMan project - online conference
Another meeting of SeaMan project partners was held today, May 04, this time in an online format. During the meeting we summarized the findings of the project's recently held kick-off conference, which took place in April, in the Swedish city of Kristianstad. We concretized two directions for the development of a future application under the regular The Interreg South Baltic Programme, identifying the thematic scope, target groups and possible activities with specific products. We also confirmed the dates of the next meetings. During the meeting, consortium members also discussed the technical side of project implementation, changes regarding project supervision and the clarification process of the seed money application.
