Improvement of green infrastructure in the urban areas in the cross-border region

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland

Date of latest update: 2025-02-03

Description

Description (EN):

The main problem occurring in the cities of Suwałki and Alytus is the insufficient area of green public places, the lack of their diversity, which negatively affects the resistance of these cities to climate change, the standard of living and health of their inhabitants. The area of urban green areas in 2022 in Suwałki amounted to about 315 ha (in Alytus 274 ha), including 110 ha of organized greenery in Suwałki and about 90 ha in Alytus. These areas represent various functional forms: parks, squares, riverside boulevards, street greenery, flowerbeds, flower meadows and wastelands. These areas constitute only about 5% of the area of Suwałki and 6,9% of the area of Alytus, which is a problem especially in the areas of the urbanized center of both cities. Another issue, apart from the insufficient area of green public places, is their unsatisfactory condition and, consequently, their low ability to perform important ecological functions for the benefit of both cities and their inhabitants. According to Resolution No. XLV/575/2022 of the Suwałki City Council of April 27, 2022 on the "Study of Conditions and Directions for Spatial Development of the City of Suwałki", the condition of urban green areas leaves much to be desired and requires urgent corrective action. At the same time, the study shows an increase in air pollution, as a result of an increase in gas emissions, with insufficient development of green areas as one of the factors posing a threat to the health of residents. We are dealing with a particularly difficult situation in the highly urbanized center of Suwałki and Alytus. There is a large share of areas completely devoid of plants (roads, sidewalks, paved squares, buildings). The remaining space is filled to varying degrees with vegetation in the form of spontaneous vegetation and the so-called arranged greenery. The unsatisfactory state of urban greenery translates into the urban heat island phenomenon, which is particularly intense in the urbanized city center in Suwałki and Alytus. The main objective of the project is to strengthen the protection and preservation of natural resources, biodiversity and the development of green infrastructure in Suwałki and Alytus cities. The main objectives of the project will be achieved through the following activities: 1. Improvement of green infrastructure in cross-border region, increase of the amount of green and recreational areas in public places by creation of new parks in Suwałki and Alytus (The Garden of the Senses in Suwałki and Jasmine Park in Alytus). The Garden of Senses will be created in Suwałki in the city center, between 24 Sierpnia and Tadeusza Kościuszki St., on the Czarna Hańcza River. The main task of the garden will be to influence all the senses of the recipients, so that it has a therapeutic and educational effect. The Garden of the Senses in Suwałki will be the first garden of this kind in the cross-border region. Jasmine Park will be created in Alytus, near the main street of the city. The purpose of the park will be to create a sense of community, new social connections, increase the area's biological diversity and ecological impact on the environment. The aim of the park is to preserve the existing natural ponds, to establish multifunctional green spaces, pastel greenery will create habitats for small fauna. In the meadow you can observe not only flowering plants, but also various insects: ants, butterflies, dragonflies, bees. 2. Nature protection in cities by introduction of solutions (in parks) increasing the absorption of rainwater and limiting the occurrence of flooding and also noise reduction. 3. Preservation of biodiversity by planting in the parks in Suwałki and Alytus mature trees, protection of native species and removal of invasive species. 4. Creating ecological corridors for animals, assembling shelter elements in parks in Suwałki and Alytus for insects/bees (the children from Dzukija School in Alytus and Care and Educational Institution in Suwałki will make homes for insects/bees on the common workshop), 5. Increasing the ecological awareness of the PL-LT children by explaining them during common workshops that human activity has led to the extinction of thousands of species, which is why cross-border cooperation on the protection of nature and species that they do not know borders is so important, but also about the role of green areas in the cities, urban flora and fauna, climate change and pro-enviromental behavior. 6. Exchange of experience and sharing the best practice among the employees of the administrations in the cross-border region – cooperation between the Road and Greenary Management in Suwałki and Department for Environmental Protection and Architecture and Urban Planning in Alytus Municipality – common workshops and trainings about the global nature of the environmental problems, climate change protection of native species and removal of invasive species in the cross-border region.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Within the reporting period the Subsidy Contract was signed on February 12, 2024. Moreover project partners signed the partnership Agreement on March 1, 2024.The Lead Partner organized on the 15th of March 2024 the opening conference. During the conference project partners presented the planned activities, learnt about the assumptions and aims of the project as well as the work schedule. Moreover the Lead Partner (the City of Suwałki) in the reporting period prepared: 1.Request for quotation no. 1/2024 in the Competitiveness Database (Baza Konkurencyjności) was prepared for 2 workshops for employees of Road and Greenery Management in Suwałki (5 people) and Municipality administration in Alytus - Department for Environmental Protection and Architecture and Urban Planning (5 people). The contract no. RFZ/5/2024 was signed on 21.06.2024. The first workshop: ‘Diagnostics and inspection of the trees - methods of operation and aborist workshops’ (lecture and practical classes in the field, 2 days / 8 hours) was carried out from 27 to 28 of June 2024 and the second one: ‘Climate change in the context of planting plants and trees in cities’ (new, old species possible to grow up in our climate), 2 thematic bloks/2 days, 8 hours was carried out from 23 to 24 of July 2024. 2. Request for quotation no. 2/2024 in the Competitiveness Database (Baza Konkurencyjności) was prepared for workshop for 15PL and 15LT children: Educational workshop in Suwałki on making insect /bee houses combined with the lecture on the importance and the role of the green areas in the cities, urban flora and fauna, climate change and pro-environmental behaviour. The company was chosen and the contract no. RFZ/7/2024 was signed on 17.06.2024. The workshops will be carried out on 06.09.2024 (in the 2nd period). The workshop was scheduled for the 1st period – all the procedure was finished in the 1st period but because of holidays in Poland and Lithuania the workshop will be carried out in 6-th September 2024. 3. Public procurement for construction works of Sensory Park was prepared, the contract no. ZP/24/2024 with the construction contractor was signed on 10.06.2024 and construction works have begun. 4. Public procurement for delivery of agricultural tractor and ride-on mover. The contract for delivery of the ride-on mover no. ZP/28/2024 was signed on 12.06.2024 (the term of delivery: 90 calendar days from the data of signed the contract). The public procurement for delivery of agricultural tractor will be repeated. In the reporting period PP2 (Alytus Administration) contributed to the implementetion of all project activities: 1. Participation in Opening conference in Suwalki on 2024-03-15. 2. Jasmine park creation (the contract No. SR-1046(3.9E) for execution of the works was signed on 2024-06-28, the contract No. SR-1194(3.9E) for technical supervision was signed on 2024-07-24. 3. Greenhouse - Gardening Lab purchased and contract No. SR-1066(3.9E) signed on 2024-07-02. 4. 5 LT employees from Alytus Municipality administration together with 5 PL employees of the Road and Greenery Management of Suwałki participated in workshops in Suwalki.

Project outputs: Development of green infrastructure in the urban areas of Suwałki and Alytus(EN)
Increase of ecological awareness among PL-LT children and improvement of cooperation among PL-LT municipal employees in the field of ecology(EN)

Thematic information

Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-A_Lt-Pl_1) Promoting environmental wellbeing

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Miasto Suwałki

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 8442155152

Department: Development and External Funds Department

Address: Mickiewicza, 16-400 Suwałki, Poland

Department address: Mickiewicza, 16-400 Suwałki, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.um.suwalki.pl

Total budget: EUR 515 551.43

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 412 441.14

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 103 110.29

Contractors:

Name: ABIES Kuczyńscy s. c.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 7191387573
Name: FRICKE MASZYNY ROLNICZE
VAT registration or tax identification number: 7421590617
Name: Agencja Promocji Zieleni Spzoo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 9511807033
Name: CARAMEL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 5341408667

Alytaus miesto savivaldybės administracija

Name: Alytaus miesto savivaldybės administracija

Department: Finance and Investment Department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Rotušė sq., 62504 Alytus, Lithuania

Department address: Rotušė sq., 62504 Alytus, Lithuania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.alytus.lt

Total budget: EUR 483 963.75

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 387 171.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 96 792.75

Contractors:

Name: LEXIN auditas
VAT registration or tax identification number: 302552694
Name: MB "Piketas"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 306376717
Name: UAB "Strefa"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 123031842
Name: UAB "Gilmera"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 304033431

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Improvement of green infrastructure in the urban areas in the cross-border region

Project acronym: The Gardens

Project ID: LTPL00050

Project start date: 2024-02-01

Project end date: 2026-01-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

WND.RPPD.05.04.01-20-0036/19 Improving the quality of the public transport system in the city of Suwałki-stege III (EN) | The scope of the project (stage III) includes: the purchase of 15 low-emission CNG public transport buses, the implementation of a municipal public bicycle system, the reconstruction of Daszyńskiego street(the construction of a bicycle path and pavement with infrastructure) and the extension of Leśna street with a connection to Raczkowska street; purchase of a dynamic passenger information system/ITS, adaptation of the diagnostics building to service CNG buses;
The currently submitted project consisting in the creation of new public green areas in the cities will contribute to improving the quality of air and natural environment in the cities and reducing noise, and is consistent in this respect with the above-mentioned project by limiting air pollution and reducing noise in the cities.
Total value of the budget of the City of Suwałki: 26 116 086,94 PLN, ERDF co-financing: 23 964 498,27 PLN.
(EN), WND-RPPD.05.04.01-20-0039/20 Improving the quality of the public transport system in the city of Suwałki - stage IV (EN) | The scope of the project includes: the purchase of 4 low-emission CNG buses with a length of approx. 10.5 m, the implementation of a municipal public bicycle system, the extension of Szpitalna street, purchase of a dynamic passenger information system/ITS (4 electronic boards for bus stops);
- information and educational activities on the popularization and promotion of public transport, low- and emission-free transport, and the public bike system.
The currently submitted project consisting in the creation of new public green areas in the cities will contribute to improving the quality of air and natural environment in the cities and reducing noise, and is consistent in this respect with the above-mentioned project by limiting air pollution and reducing noise in the cities.
Total value of the budget of the City of Suwałki: 7 784 461,77 PLN, ERDF co-financing: 5 301 028,11 PLN.
(EN), WND.RPPD.03.01.00-20-007/12 Improving the tourist attractiveness of Suwałki through the redevelopment of Maria Konopnicka Square (EN) | As part of the project, a new communication and compositional arrangement of the interior of Maria Konopnicka Square and the streets surrounding it was created, which includes elements of architecture, such as illuminated interactive fountain, city fountain, amphitheatre, two playgrounds, two bus shelters. The project was completed in 2014.
Both projects partly include the construction of similar infrastructure, like: new greenery, plantings and green areas, and have a positive impact on the surroundings, improving the quality of the natural environment in the city center and preventing the creation of the so-called urban heat islands.
Total value of the budget of the City of Suwałki: 9 647 223,45 PLN, ERDF co-financing: 8 229 030,21 PLN.
(EN), WND.RPPD.08.05.00-20-0007/18 Revitalization of the old bathhouse and boulevards on the Czarna Hańcza River in Suwałki (EN) | As part of the project, the historical building of the former bathhouse was adapted into a public facility with an exhibition space intended for a gallery and for the needs of cultural and sports services as a back-up facility for the boulevards on the Czarna Hańcza River in Suwałki. The project also included the revitalization and development of riverside areas and the creation of boulevards on the Czarna Hańcza River with an area of approx. construction of pavements, bicycle paths and pedestrian and bicycle routes, planting greenery (lawns and flower meadows) with elements of small architecture, lighting of the area with illumination. The banks of the river were also regulated with strengthening the base of the escarpment, construction of a recreational wharf and slipway for canoes, a fish pass with the renovation of the weir and a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The currently submitted project is consistent with the above-mentioned project, as it consists in creating new green areas and places of rest for residents, improving the quality of the natural environment, reducing noise and counteracting the creation of the so-called urban heat islands.
Total value of the budget of the City of Suwałki: 13 252 217,97 PLN, ERDF co-financing: 6 223 313,00 PLN. (EN), 5.5.1-APVA-R-019-11-0004 - Correction of the general plan of the city of Alytus by zoning the landscape structure (EN) | The purpose of the project: to improve the condition of the landscape areas of the city of Alytus by adjusting the part of the landscape structure protected by the natural framework in the general plan.
Both projects contribute to environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources and adaptation to climate change, both projects aim to expand the city's green spaces.
The project was implemented in 2018 (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 999 515.18

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 799 612.14

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 799 612.14. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Parks in Suwałki and Alytus
Equipment for maintaince the park in Suwałki
Establishing contacts among project partners.
Discussing further common actions and projects.
Increasing of ecological awareness among PL-LT children at risk of social exclusion and poverty
Greenhouse - Gardening Lab
Improving the knowledge about environmental problems and climate changes and possible solutions
2 common PL-LT workshops in Suwałki

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion Policy Area (PA) ‘Bioeconomy’ aims at reinforcing sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries by promoting an integrated approach.
PA Bioeconomy actions concentrate on pursuing the bioeconomy actually and practically for example by improving policy coherence and policy learning and by engaging the private sector. For example, recycling of nutrients in agriculture and finding a common approach for sustainable strategies for wood are seen as essential. In fisheries management emphasis is on improving coordination among Member States and stakeholders in the region.
The Baltic Sea Region has the potential to become one of the world's leading regions in green growth and sustainable development. Bioeconomy offers many new business and job opportunities.
Moreover, the project addresses the Policy Area ‘Education’ which contributes to an increased prosperity that presupposes access to quality education and training for all, an effective and inclusive welfare system and a well-functioning labour market.
The project overall objective is also to disseminate knowledge in the field of ecology and climate change among children at risk of social exclusion in the Polish-Lithuanian cross-border region. By doing this, we will raise ecological awareness throw society starting from children at risk of social exclusion.
Other Strategic plan for the development of the City of Alytus until 2030 - Priority 1. "Comfortable City, Objective" 1.1. "Reduce the impact on climate change, and adapt to it", Targets: 1.1.2. -"Increase green energy production" and 1.1.4. "Boosting the circular economy Development".
Other Strategic activity plan of Alytus City Municipality for 2023-2025 meets Programme for the sustainable development of territories and infrastructure Targets: 31.1.2. "Maintaining a safe and clean environment, promoting the development of the circular economy" and 31.1.2.01. "Reducing and monitoring the impact of pollution on the environment"
Other Project is in compliance with Regional Development Programe 2022-2030. The problem of regional development "Not sufficiently sustainable environment that negatively affects the attractiveness of the regions", Target 6.8 "Preserving and restoring biodiversity, the quality of ecosystems and their services and the specificity of the landscape and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources"
Other Progress strategy of Lithuania "Lithuania 2030" - project contributes to development of smart society - smart society is a happy society that seeks greater personal and
economic security, a more even distribution of income, a clean environment, social security and political inclusion, providing wide opportunities to learn and develop one's skills, to strive good human health
Other
National Progress Plan 2021-2030 - Objective 6. "Ensure good environmental quality and sustainable use of natural resources, protect biological diversity, mitigate Lithuania's impact on climate change and increase resilience to its impact", tasks: 6.7 „To preserve and restore biological diversity, the quality of ecosystems, their services and the distinctiveness of the landscape and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources“ 6.11 "Increase the environmental awareness of the population", 6.12 "Strengthen environmental pollution prevention, monitoring and control"
Other National Strategy for Regional Development 2030 - Challenge 1: Adapting to climate change and reducing environmental risks
Specific objective I: Increasing the cohesion of the country's development in the social, economic, environmental and spatial dimensions;
Other Partnership Agreement 2021-2027 - 1.2. Goal "A greener, low-carbon Europe" (CP2); Area: adaptation to climate change and natural and catastrophic risk prevention, support for resilience and ecosystem approach; Area: strengthening the protection of natural heritage and biodiversity as well as green infrastructure
Other Strategic Adaptation Plan for sectors and areas sensitive to climate change by 2020 with a perspective until 2030 - The document indicates as one of the objectives ensuring energy security and good environmental condition. The implemented project will contribute to the improvement of the natural environment by reducing emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere, including reducing CO2.
Other Air Protection Program for the Podlaskie zone - The document contains a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving the air quality in the Podlaskie zone.
Other Integrated Revitalization Program for the City of Suwałki for 2017-2023 - Strategic objective: Comprehensive positive change of the revitalization area by reducing social, economic, environmental and technical problems and removing spatial barriers to the development of the area; Operational objective 3: Increasing the functionality of the infrastructure and giving new functions to facilities and public spaces in the revitalization area in order to improve the quality of life of residents;
K.3.1 Revitalization of green spaces and improvement of the natural environment of the revitalization area
Other Environmental Protection Program for the City of Suwałki for 2021-2024 - One of the actions to be implemented under the Program is the planting of roadside trees along road sections, new plantings of tall greenery, care and maintenance of roadside greenery, and the maintenance, care and arrangement of green areas around public utility facilities.
Other Podlaskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 2030 - Operational objective 2.3 High-quality space in the context of ensuring a high-quality natural environment and using its assets to increase the investment attractiveness and attractiveness of living for future generations.
Other Suwałki 2030 Development Strategy - Strategic Goal 5.3: A unique environment;
Operational objective 5.3.1 Safe and clean natural environment in terms of development of blue-green infrastructure contributing to the mitigation of climate change and reducing the pressure exerted on the environment in the city
Operational objective 5.3.3 Attractive public spaces in terms of development of urban green areas.
Other Study of Conditions and Directions for Spatial Development of the City of Suwałki
This document indicates the need to create public greenery in the city, the need to introduce greenery as an element of development along roads and to increase the share of greenery in land development.
Other EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 - Bringing nature back into our lives
This strategy in section 2.2.8 Greening urban and peri-urban areas points to a number of benefits from urban green spaces that provide many different benefits to people. They reduce air pollution, water pollution and noise, provide protection against floods, droughts, heat waves and maintain the link between man and nature, and this project is in line with these goals.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-02-03

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

53 / 53 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

123 / 123 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form