We move the borders - cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland

Date of latest update: 2026-01-26

Description

Description (EN):

The project implementation covers 2 border regions: Poland and Lithuania and involves partners: SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok and The Ambulance service of the Republic of Lithuania. The project covers regions characterised by low social development compared to other EU countries. The health care system in both areas is not in good condition. Poland and Lithuania were only ranked 25th in the Health Systems Sustainability Index among the 28 EU countries in 2019. This is one of the worst results due to excess mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The data show that these diseases are the most common cause of deaths in particular among the elderly (Lithuania: Total deaths-47746 persons including cardiovascular diseases -23037 persons; Poland: Total deaths-519517 persons including cardiovascular diseases -180645 persons /data: Oficieliosios Statstikos Portalas and CSO; 2021). Emergency medical care in this case becomes crucial. Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of death in both countries. The patient can be saved as long as the right help is given in the first minutes. We share a huge proportion of people who die from cardiovascular disease. The common challenge of the borderlands also focuses on saving lives during disasters, warfare and migration crises. A medical person on the battlefield, in a state of emergency zone, in addition to being prepared to act in extreme situations, must also be knowledgeable. The training of these people will help the wounded during warfare, in emergency situations, they will be prepared for unforeseen events. In every country, people die in the same way, but not every country is as vulnerable as Lithuania and Poland. We have different procedures, so the joint exchange of experience is crucial. As part of the cooperation, we aim to develop the skills of medical personnel including paramedics and nurses and minimise the gap in medical infrastructure (purchase of new ambulances used mainly in villages). The added value will be the training of citizens, the elderly over 45. We want to act in two phases: to reduce the risks associated with a lack of assistance especially for people in rural areas in life-threatening situations, and to prepare these people for possible contingencies. We aim to provide adequate care that saves lives and health by: 1. Exchange of experience - training in Poland and Lithuania on disasters, extreme situations and mass incidents for medical persons 2. Replacement of medical infrastructure - purchase of ambulances 3. Training in pre-medical first aid and disaster first aid with the use of purchased phantoms, in villages especially for older people, i.e. over 45 years of age 4. Information campaign (final conference with presentation of results), dissemination of project leaflets, information on fanpage, partners' websites, durable plaque. Main products: 1. Joint working group -4 people 2. Working group meetings -6 meetings 3. Training of medics "Medical rescue in disasters, extreme situations and mass events"- 60 persons/ 30 persons each in Poland and Lithuania/6 groups/30 hours group 4. Training of medics "Emergency services in battlefield medicine"- 60 persons/ 30 persons each in Poland and Lithuania/5 groups/30 hours group 5. Purchase of 2 sets of phantoms for training 6. Trainings for villagers on premedical first aid and disaster first aid with the use of purchased phantoms - 200 persons /100 persons each in Poland and Lithuania /10 training groups/8 hours group 7. Purchase of 3 ambulances with equipment 8. Organisation of a project wrap-up conference-1 1 hour= 1 training hour (45 minutes) A cross-border approach is crucial in the reality of today's politics of other countries, i.e. war in Ukraine, migration conflict on the border. As close neighbours, we see the need to respond and secure together in the event of a disaster or hostilities. We will develop solutions for partners to face difficult situations. We will support each other in situations where the forces and resources at our disposal are insufficient for the scale of the needs. Cross-border cooperation will deal with catastrophic incidents that arise at the border and in the border zone, where it is mainly the time of arrival of the relevant services that matters. We will develop solutions that are useful in small towns so that help can be more effective and arrive more quickly. Through the project we will introduce a new approach to a common emergency policy aiming at a safe, prepared society on both sides of the border. We will train not only medical people but also civilians. Any of us walking down the street could find ourselves in a situation where we are dealing with injuries from weapons, catastrophic events and the unforeseen given recent international events.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the reporting period, training was conducted for employees in the field of "Emergency medical care in disasters, extreme situations and mass events". The training program concerned standards of assistance in the border zone (as planned). The training courses were joint in nature, as representatives of both partners participated in the training and exchanged good practices and experiences (3 representatives of the partner participated) (as planned). Recruitment for training was announced on the websites of the partners. The expected result was achieved, a total of 60 people participated, including 30 people in LP1 and 30 people in PP2. Each group consisted of 10 participants, each group underwent 30 hours of training, a total of 6 groups were trained, including 3 groups in LP1 and 3 groups in PP2. In the current period, 2 sets of rescue phantoms were purchased, including 1 set for LP1 and 2 sets for PP2. The expected result was achieved. During the current financial period, the partners communicated regularly, mainly via the Internet, discussing current tasks and cooperating with each other and exchanging best practices in the field of crisis response and work organization in rescue teams. During the reporting period, LP1 conducted training for employees in the field of "Emergency services in battlefield medicine". The thematic scope of the training included: emergency services in battlefield medicine, response to crisis situations such as warfare and the migration crisis, standards of assistance in the border area, accidents with firearms, massive hemorrhages, airway patency, chest wounds, hypothermia, methods and means of evacuation of the injured. Use of simulations and tactical scenarios that are close to the realities of providing first aid in extreme conditions (3 representatives of the partner participated) (as planned). Recruitment for training was announced on the LP1 website. Initially, PP2 planned to organize training for medical personnel "Emergency services in battlefield medicine" in the 2nd period. Taking into account the occupation of the target group and potential service providers, the implementation of this activity was postponed to Period 3. Three representatives of the Project Partner participated online in the “Emergency services in battlefield medicine” training courses organized by the Lead Partner on 10-31 March 2025 (three training sessions x 4 days). The result was achieved, a total of 30 people participated on the LP1 side. The LP1 groups consisted of 10 participants, each group underwent 30-hour training, a total of 3 LP1 groups were trained. In the current LP1 period, a tender procedure for the delivery of 2 ambulances was announced and resolved and an agreement was concluded with the Contractor. Delivery of the ambulance in the next reporting period. In addition, in the second reporting period, LP1 selected the Contractor for training in the field of First Premedical Aid and First Aid in the event of disasters for residents of villages in the Białystok and Sokółka districts. PP2 public tender for the purchase of an emergency vehicle was announced on February 14, 2025, tender number 1175752 (The winner should be announced in period 3). During the second commitment period, the partners communicated regularly, mainly via the Internet, discussing current tasks and cooperating with each other and exchanging best practices in responding to crisis situations and organizing work in rescue teams.

Project outputs: Common solutions(EN)
Cooperation of 2 emergency medical services institutions in emergency situations(EN)
Modernised health facilities(EN)

Thematic information

Health and social services

Priority: (VI-A_Lt-Pl_2) Promoting physical, emotional and cultural wellbeing

Priority specific objective: RSO4.5. Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems, including primary care, and promoting the transition from institutional to family-based and community-based care

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 160 Measures to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems (excluding infrastructure)

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: SP ZOZ WSPR w Białymstoku

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5422503045

Address: ul. Poleska , 15-874 Bialystok, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Hospitals and medical centres

Website: https://pogotowie.bialystok.pl

Total budget: EUR 315 861.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 252 689.28

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 63 172.32

Contractors:

Name: Ratownik–Ambulanse
VAT registration or tax identification number: 5361881355
Name: Marek Trzeciak
VAT registration or tax identification number: 9661689204

Greitosios medicinos pagalbos tarnyba

Name: Greitosios medicinos pagalbos tarnyba

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Pramonės pr., 51271 Kaunas, Lithuania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Hospitals and medical centres

Website (not verified): http://www.greitojipagalba.lt

Total budget: EUR 241 491.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 193 193.28

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 298.32

Contractors:

Name: Paramedikų asociacija
VAT registration or tax identification number: 301697060
Name: PMPMC "Irta"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 303376092
Name: UAB "Manrasta"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 135774825
Name: UAB "DEPO DIY LT"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 302854461
Name: UAB "UNIKOM"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 302449573
Name: PARAMEDIKŲ ASOCIACIJA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 301697060
Name: UAB ,,Ami sprendimai“
VAT registration or tax identification number: 125456226

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

The Ambulance service of the Republic of Lithuania

We move the borders - cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania

Partners and Projects info

Independent Public Health Care Unit Voivodship Emergency Medical Station in Bialystok

We move the borders - cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): We move the borders - cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania

Project acronym: We move the borders

Project ID: LTPL00032

Project start date: 2024-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Podlaskie eHealth Information System (EN) | The project was implemented as a partnership and aimed to develop and improve access to public health services in the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
The aim of the project was to create the tools needed to plan treatment processes, make decisions and support the development of healthcare in the region.
This objective will continue through the implementation of the project, health services will continue to be supported. (EN), Improving the epidemiological situation in relation to the threat caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the Podlaskie Region (EN) | The partnership project envisaged improvement of the epidemiological situation as a result of coordinated actions aimed at achieving the optimum level of healthcare for the region's inhabitants by, among other things, improving the infrastructure used in the process of providing medical services, reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in the voivodeship, and minimising the risk of medical staff shortages by increasing the availability of necessary personal protective equipment and devices. Within the framework of the project, SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok planned the purchase of specialised means of transport, apparatus, the purchase of personal protective equipment and the adaptation of rooms for disinfecting ambulances and for ozonising clothing.
The two projects are complementary in terms of the overarching objective of improving health security for the inhabitants of the Podlaskie region. (EN), Improving the quality of SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok's activities related to preventing, counteracting and combating COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by purchasing 2 medical ambulances with equipment (EN) | The project assumed the purchase of ambulances with equipment for a healthcare entity providing health services in the field of medical rescue or sanitary transport having medical rescue teams in its structure. Under the project, SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok replaced 2 ambulances with equipment and purchased personal protective equipment for the medical rescue teams.
The aim of the project was to support SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok in connection with the implementation of activities related to the prevention, prevention and combating of 'COVID-19' and other infectious diseases, including the improvement of the equipment infrastructure of a medical entity providing health services in the field of medical rescue or sanitary transport having Medical Rescue Teams in its structure, as well as the purchase of personal protective equipment for Medical Rescue Teams. Complementarity of the project with the project which is the subject of this application for co-financing relates to the convergence of the overarching objective, which is the improvement in health safety of the inhabitants of the Podlaskie voivodeship. (EN), Improving the quality of SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok's activities related to preventing, counteracting and combating COVID-19 and other infectious diseases by purchasing 3 medical ambulances with equipment (EN) | The project provided for the purchase of ambulances with equipment for a medical entity providing health care services in the field of medical rescue, which has medical rescue teams in its structure. Under the project, SP ZOZ WSPR in Białystok replaced 3 ambulances with equipment and purchased personal protective equipment for the medical rescue teams.
The main objective of the project was to support the entity in connection with the implementation of activities related to the prevention, prevention and eradication of 'COVID-19' and other infectious diseases, including the improvement of the equipment infrastructure of a medical entity providing health services in the field of medical rescue or sanitary transport having Medical Rescue Teams in its structure, as well as the purchase of personal protective equipment for Medical Rescue Teams. Both projects are complementary in terms of their objectives leading to a higher level of health security for the inhabitants of the Podlaskie voivodeship. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 557 353.20

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 445 882.56

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

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 445 882.56. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Training of health professionals from Poland and Lithuania
Working group meetings to develop a joint solution
Prepared report with recommendations
Communication and visibility
Training of health professionals from Poland and Lithuania
Communication and visibility
Closing conference
Training rural residents in pre-medical first aid
Communication and visibility
Acquisition of medical ambulances with equipment
Purchase of rescue phantoms

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project falls under the Health policy area, Action 3: Strengthen the capacity of the entity and institutions to address regional health challenges.
The project consists of enabling capacity building and shared learning through networking, knowledge brokerage and training activities. In addition, it aims to further enhance the skills and knowledge of the regional actor through the development and use of strategic policy instruments that contribute to the health and social wellbeing of the citizens of the Baltic Sea Region and preparation for difficult moments and crises. It will be possible to achieve the objective by, among other things, organising training courses for medical persons entitled "Medical rescue in disasters, extreme situations and mass events", "Emergency services in battlefield medicine". In addition, there will be training sessions for villagers in pre-medical first aid and disaster first aid with the use of purchased phantoms. In addition, we are planning to replace old ambulances with new ones to ensure prosperity.
The investment, located in an underdeveloped area with limited access to high quality medical care, will increase the efficiency and quality of this care, address health inequalities and improve its functionality. It is in line with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Lithuania and Poland and increase their prosperity.
Other Efficient and Modern State 2030 Strategy
The investment coincides with Objective 5: Strengthening the public security and order system oriented towards improving the relationship between public service performance and inputs, increasing the efficiency and accessibility of public service provision. Within the framework of the objective, activities aimed at increasing the efficiency of the health care system are planned, among others. The project will contribute to an improvement in the quality of medical healthcare infrastructure, translating directly into the highest quality and effectiveness of diagnostics and treatment.
Other Podlaskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 2030
Project objective demonstrates compliance with operational objective
3.3 International and trans-regional partnerships
The main directions are:
Supporting cooperation initiatives of entities from the Podlaskie Voivodeship with the national and foreign environment (financial, organisational, training)- as part of the project, training will be organised to support topics such as crisis and difficult situations and joint development of solutions and cooperation between Poland and Lithuania.
Supporting the activities of organisations which aim to search for and establish new forms of territorial cooperation with the Podlaskie Voivodeship's surroundings - The project will tighten new forms of cooperation that did not previously exist between the two countries of Poland and Lithuania (WSPR and Jonava).
3. developing cross-border cooperation - in view of the current global situation there is a high need for joint response and protection in the event of disasters or acts of war. Within the framework of the project, we will develop solutions so that in the event of difficult/crisis situations, these solutions will enable us to act together and help each other.
Other National Strategy for Regional Development 2030
The project is in line with challenge No. 1- Adapting to climate change and reducing environmental risks, No. 6- Increasing the effectiveness of development management (including the financing of development activities) and cooperation between local authorities and between sectors, and No. 7- Counteracting territorial inequalities and the spatial concentration of development problems and levelling crisis situations in degraded areas.
The project fits in with Challenge 1, as we plan to purchase new, low-emission ambulances that meet the Euro 6 environmental standard. Climate change is also having a major impact on the quality of life of local residents.
In Challenge 6, the implementation of the project will raise the importance of mutual cooperation between the two entities and the possibility to identify interdependencies from the bottom up, to assess common potential and to create a course of action in moments of various difficulties. Through the implementation of the project we will introduce a new approach to a common emergency policy aiming at a safe, prepared society on both sides of the border. We will train not only medical persons but also civilians.
Whereas in challenge 7, the project will influence the reduction of disproportions in the level of socio-economic development of sub-regions and counteracting the accumulation of socio-economic problems, especially in peripheral areas, located far from large urban centres and at the border of provinces. It is also important to reduce intra-urban disparities and improve living conditions and quality of life of inhabitants in degraded areas, improve investment attractiveness and develop entrepreneurship.
Other National Health Programme
The project objectives are in line with the strategic and operational objectives of the National Health Programme.
Other The project fits in with the Sustainable Development Goals:
3.6 Provide universal health care, including financial security, access to quality primary health care and safe, effective, high quality, affordable medicines and vaccines.
Emergency services are part of access to quality primary and universal healthcare. To be able to provide good quality, it is necessary to train medical personnel and provide them with adequate equipment in the form of well-equipped and modern ambulances. The project fits in with this objective, as it plans to purchase ambulances for Poland and Lithuania. In addition, it plans to train medical personnel to ensure they have high quality skills to deal with difficult situations.
3.c Significantly increase health financing, as well as the recruitment, development, training and retention of health workers in developing countries, particularly in the least developed and small island developing states.
Poland and Lithuania are developing countries. Therefore, the financing of health care, training and maintenance of medical persons who are part of the health care system is particularly important. Thanks to the project, we will ensure broad access to knowledge through training in the areas of 'Medical rescue in disasters, extreme situations and mass events', 'Emergency services in battlefield medicine'. So far, Poland and Lithuania have not had the chance to take part in this type of joint venture.
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
The implementation of the project will enable us as an institution to develop effectively and responsibly at an international level. So far, we have not had the opportunity to take part in this type of activity concerning detailed knowledge exchange, the development of common solutions in difficult crisis situations.
Other Strategy for responsible development with a 2030 perspective.
VIII. Areas affecting the achievement of the objectives of the Strategy- Energy- Developing the potential of the environment for the benefit of citizens and businesses
Negative factors identified in the diagnosis such as inadequate air quality, low water abundance, effects of progressive climate change, deficit of tools for creating spatial order significantly increase current development costs and generate losses due to lack of investment, directing development funds towards restoring the desired quality of air, soil, water and treatment of diseases dependent on environmental factors. Taking appropriate measures, such as replacing old high-saloon ambulances with new ones with Euro 6 emissions, will have an impact on air quality and the treatment of people who are ill from environmental factors.
Other LITHUANIA'S PROGRESS STRATEGY "LITHUANIA 2030"
1) Openness to other perspectives, to positive initiatives, to dialogue, cooperation and innovation.
Thanks to the project, Lithuania will have the opportunity to open up positively to initiative and cooperation - Poland came up with the need and vision for the project, while Lithuania responded positively to the invitation. In addition, through dialogue, Lithuania and Poland will develop common solutions, which, thanks to the newly established cooperation, the countries will be prepared for severe crisis situations.
2) Creativity in generating and implementing new ideas, taking on challenges as new opportunities to build success.
The project is a new idea, no such cooperation between the two countries had existed before. The project is part of a new opportunity to build success by developing different types of solutions to difficult moments and crises.
3) Goal: A smart society through, among other things, a healthy, creative, learning, modern, dynamic, challenge-ready and capable society.
The project will fulfil the aim and objective of the strategy, as the idea will influence public knowledge through creative activities which will allow knowledge to be broadened, and is a modern solution which has not occurred before. It will be possible to achieve the objective by, among other things, organising training courses for medical professionals entitled "Medical rescue in disasters, extreme situations and mass events", "Emergency services in battlefield medicine". In addition, there will be training sessions for villagers in pre-medical first aid and disaster first aid with the use of purchased phantoms. Furthermore, in order to ensure modernity, we plan to replace the old ambulances with new ones. These will be brought up to current standards.
Other Long-term country development strategy "Poland 2030. The third wave of modernity".
Main objective: Improving the quality of life of Poles - increasing accessibility to healthcare.
Other Strategic Development Plan of Kaunas City Municipality until 2022
Objective 2.3.1 Provide high quality and safe health care services.
The project fits perfectly into the strategic objective. It involves the further training of personnel through the organisation of a series of training courses on such important aspects as 'Medical rescue in disasters, extreme situations and mass events', 'Emergency services in battlefield medicine'. Thanks to the training, solutions will be developed that will provide ready mechanisms in moments of difficulty and crisis, which is particularly important after the occurrence of, among others, covid-19. In addition, to ensure the high safety of health care services, ambulances meeting the latest safety standards will be purchased, which will provide protection during the transportation of patients and the safe arrival of medical personnel at the scene of an incident.
Objective 2.4.3 Shaping the city's image, developing international and inter-institutional cooperation.
Thanks to the project, there will be international and inter-institutional cooperation, which has not previously occurred between two countries, Poland and Lithuania, and two institutions with similar premises and functioning.
Objective 3.3.1 Protecting and preserving the environment, developing efficient municipal waste management. Thanks to the project, ambulances meeting the Euro 6 environmental standards will be purchased, which will have a positive impact on the protection and preservation of the environment by reducing exhaust emissions.
Other EU Green Deal Strategy
The project responds to the challenges of climate change, environmental pollution. By purchasing modern ambulances with the Euro 6 environmental standard, it will contribute to its protection.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

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Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 069 - Capacity of new or modernised health care facilities, 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:
RCR 073 - Annual users of new or modernised health care facilities, 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

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-01

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

100 / 100 (100%)

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

250 / 250 (100%)

Notes on the data

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We move the borders - cross-border cooperation between Poland and Lithuania

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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