Acronym

BugUnitesUs

NUMBER

PBU1/0224/16

Project type

Regular project

STATUS

Completed

THEMATIC OBJECTIVE

HERITAGE

PRIORITY

1.2 Promotion and preservation of natural heritage

PARTNERSHIP

PL-BY-UA

LEAD BENEFICIARY

Drohiczyn Commune (Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland)

BENEFICIARY

Chervonograd District Council (Lviv Oblast, Ukraine)
Drahičyn District Executive Committee (Brest Oblast, Belarus)

Project description

The Bug River and its surroundings with its natural treasures unite three neighbours: Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. Despite the potential of the regions, tourism has never played a major role in their development. One of the reasons is insufficient usage of natural advantages of the river and inadequate tourism infrastructure.

The BugUnitesUs projects' partners decided to create new conditions and perspectives of the region. Two new water trails will be offered to the visitors along the river Bug, together with proper signage, information points and almost 40 resting spots along. First kayak trail will lead from Verkhobuzh to Wyszków in Poland (ca. 700 km), another one from Bielin to Brest in Belarus, along the Dniepro-Bug Canal and Muchaviec River (ca. 100 km). Moreover, three Centres of Kayak Tourism will be created in Sokal, Bielin and Drohiczyn promoting natural heritage and kayak tourism in the area. Visitors will be able to rent kayaks and necessary equipment free of charge, choose the most suitable kayak in an outdoor pool, attend kayak workshops and shows. Additionally, the Centre in Drohiczyn will create a museum of kayaking and a unique kayak simulator for young, elderly or disabled visitors, where they could try themselves in a dry environment. All centers will be equipped with portable electronic translation devices for foreign tourists.

The BugUnitesUs project will improve the touristic infrastructure supporting the local potential and economic growth. What is not less important, the partners will strengthen the cooperation and exchange experiences together solving common problems. The new kayak trails, leading through the borderlines of Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, will enable the nature-loving people to discover the untouched beauty of the Bug River on the cross-border area.