Acronym

ThinkEco

NUMBER

PBU1/0090/16

Project type

Regular project

STATUS

Completed

THEMATIC OBJECTIVE

HERITAGE

PRIORITY

1.2 Promotion and preservation of natural heritage

PARTNERSHIP

PL-BY

LEAD BENEFICIARY

Kuźnica Commune (Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland)

BENEFICIARY

Biaroza District Executive Committee (Brest Oblast, Belarus)
State Unitary Manufacturing Enterprise “Housing and communal services оf Biaroza” (Brest Oblast, Belarus)

Project description

The Sokólskie Hills (Podlaskie Voivodeship) and the Sporaŭski Biological Reserve (Brest Oblast) – valuable natural areas – are dealing with the pollution in waters, which occur mainly due to outdated technologies used in wastewater treatments plants in both regions. The equipment is inefficient and expensive to maintain getting contamination into the groundwaters, then to surface waters, and lastly to Polish Łosośna and Belarusian Yaselda rivers. Environmental protection of the cross-border area is a complex issue demanding complex approach.

The ThinkEco project is the solution for this difficult situation via modernization of the wastewater treatment plants in Kuźnica and Biaroza. The replacement of the old purifying facilities with modern ones will limit the number of harmful substances streaming to the rivers, resulting in better environment preservation. In addition, the ThinkEco campaign will be carried out to promote ecological awareness among local communities and make them more open to cooperation. Moreover, the publi- cation on natural heritage with practical ways how to protect nature will promote the region as an undiscovered treasure and interesting tourist destination. For both partners, the project will start a complex process basing on cross-border knowledge, exchange of experiences, ideas and data transfer (conferences, publications, daily basis contacts).

The implementation of ThinkEco will result in socio-economic development in the border area. The reconstruction of wastewater treatment plants in Kuźnica and Biaroza will positively influence the natural heritage of the region and together with wider ecological awareness will increase its attractiveness. The improved environmental picture will enhance citizens and tourists to visit this beautiful cross-border area of Poland and Belarus.