Project: Networking cities and engaging citizens to protect water resources in Europe
Acronym H2O WR, project number: 582565-CITIZ-1-2016-2-RS-CITIZ-NT
Europe for Citizens Programme, Action 2.2. Network of Cities
Implementation period: from 08. 03. 2017 to 31. 12. 2018
Partnership: Municipality of Ruma, Serbia; City District of Prague 9, Czech Republic; Municipality of Razlog, Bulgaria; Human Non-Profit Innovation Group, Pecs, Hungary; Municipality of Našice, Croatia; LAZ Association, Slovenia; and Tourist Organization of Ruma from Serbia
Lead partner: Municipality of Ruma, Serbia
The project focuses on water protection, civil protection and improving citizen involvement in public and civil actions focusing on water resources. The main objective of the project is to increase citizen participation in actions aimed at improving water quality, environmental protection and civil protection.
The specific objectives are:
1) Raise citizens’ awareness of how to apply EU values and approaches in safeguarding water resources and protecting communities from natural threats;
2) Improve cooperation between cities in implementing measures that protect water resources and residents from natural threats.
The partnership is the protection of water resources and civil protection from floods is essential for regional development, and quality of life. Several of the threats of the impact on water sources such as industrial activities, unregulated dumping, frequent flooding, and lack of adequate infrastructure, etc, in order To address this threat, it would have to be citizens to be more involved in the action in rural communities, and policy-making related to water resources. European citizens are pessimistic about the future of the quality of the water. In the EU 47% of the citizens are concerned that the quality of the water is a long-term disadvantage. With this in mind, the project promotes EU values, best practices and approaches to water protection. In this way, the project will address citizens’ attitudes towards EU integration, volunteering and improve local measures in the field of water resources. The partners will exchange knowledge and best practices through workshops, conferences, presentations, on-site visits and citizen-based activities at 7 events. To maintain cooperation, the partners will form a network focusing on water protection and civil protection.
Event locations:
E1 – Ruma, Republic of Serbia – Kick-off event, March 2017
E2 – Prague 9, Czech Republic – June 2017
E3 – Razlog, Bulgaria – September 2017
E4 – Szigetvar, Hungary – April 2018
E5 – Našice, Croatia – May, 2018
E6 – Litija, Slovenia – June 2018
E7 – Rome, Republic of Serbia – December 2018
You can read the project brochure at this link.
You can read the final report in Slovenian at this link.
The final report in English is at this link.
You can view the photo book here.
The role of the LAZ Society:
The LAZ Association is a partner in the project. It will be responsible for the organization of the three-day event in Litija, SI. The partner will organize the logistics for the event (venue, accommodation, catering, media invitations, information material, speakers, etc.) and ensure that the event meets the purpose and objectives of the project. It will ensure an effective presentation of best practices from Litija and Šmartno pri Litiji in the field of environmental protection, water protection and civil protection. As regards the partnership agreement, it will provide its input and contribute to its development. Regarding dissemination, the association will ensure that all relevant information about the project is available on its website and will help develop the content of printed materials. The association will organize and coordinate Slovenian participants at other events taking place abroad in order to transfer Slovenian knowledge to other participants.
Event no. 6, venue: Litija, Slovenia
And 1: 14. 6. 2018 Opening of the Municipal Day, interactive discussions on environmental protection and civil defense
17:00-18:00 – Opening of the Litije Municipality Festival – presentations of local associations and approaches used to involve citizens in local actions
18:00-21:00 – special presentation ‘EU integration and the environment: how EU approaches improve citizen engagement’ + dinner for partners
The event is organized in such a way that partners become aware of each other’s needs and collaborate on issues of interest. The municipal holiday will serve as a platform for project presentation and will allow local and international participants to exchange experiences in implementing environmental protection and civil protection measures.
2. and: 15. 6. 2018 panel discussion, field visits and workshops
09:00 – 10:30 – Participation in the Community Festival – Moderated panel discussion on green solutions for rural wastewater management
10:30 – 14 – Visit to municipal wastewater treatment plants – emphasis on how it complies with EU directives, visit to the Sava River, presentation on how civil protection organizations protect habitats
2pm – 6pm – Conference on Environmental Threats from Mining; Workshop on Environmental Protection – Developing Citizen-Based Solutions to the Challenges of Rivers,
18 – 19 – Project meeting
The public event will include a moderated discussion on green solutions for wastewater management. Small-scale wastewater treatment systems used for wastewater treatment in rural areas will be presented, serving as a good practice example for partners. A field visit will inform participants about how the EU Waste Water Directive is implemented locally. A conference on the threats to the local environment will serve as a basis for a workshop where participants are expected to prepare measures.
3. and: 16. 6. 2018 Moderated discussion as a demonstration + evaluation of the entire event;
09:00-12:00- Presentation – discussion: EU citizenship and the future of Europe – assessment of typical citizens’ views on EU integration in relation to environmental protection and civil defence (based on the DOCPIE good practice project)
12:00-13:00- Project meeting and event evaluation; evaluation of results; citizens’ views and current challenges are: water protection and civil protection.
The debate will result in a discussion of citizens’ views on various issues related to EU integration, in particular in relation to the project’s themes: water resources, civil protection, disaster response, etc. The debate is intended to allow citizens’ views to be heard and for decision-makers to try to organise actions to address these views. The evaluation of the event will provide an assessment of the organisation and management of the project as a whole.
Project visibility – announcements:
www.facebook.com/Dru%C5%A1tvo-Laz-175320496209497/
www.srce-me-povezuje.si/drustvolaz/index.php
www.facebook.com/Dru%C5%A1tvo-Laz-175320496209497/
www.srce-me-povezuje.si/drustvolaz/index.php
www.srce-me-povezuje.si/drustvolaz/index.php
www.mojaobcina.si/smartno-pri-litiji/novice/evropski-projekti/v-litiji-sesto-srecanje-partnerjev-projekta–h2o–mrezenje-mest-in-vkljucevanje-drzavljanov–za-zascito-vodnih-virov-v-evropi—–prenos-iskusenj-in-dobrih-praks-1.html
www.mojaobcina.si/smartno-pri-litiji/novice/evropski-projekti/drustvo-laz-ponovno-sodeluje-v-programu-evropa-za-drzavljane-1.html
www.obcan-litija.si/files/obcan_2018_07_julij.pdf , page 9
www.facebook.com/H20-WR-Engaging-Citizens-for-the-Protection-of-Water-Resources-in-Europe-2060847467481388/
www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6iChWu2BVJ8pNjCCffktw
