Cooperation beneficial for the climate – the development of the green infrastructure in Łęczna and Kowel

Common challenge and main objective of project is to prevent, mitigate and counteract effects of climate change, protect, preserve and enhance biological diversity of the Polish-Ukrainian region and improve quality of life for people by creating nature- and climate-protecting elements of green infrastructure in Łęczna and Kowel. Subject of project is development of green infrastructure in Łęczna and Kowel through: revitalization of riverside areas and slopes surrounding Old Town, Podzamcze Park and former granary building in Łęczna; arrangement of Świnka River valley area in Łęczna; new plantings; construction of recreational architectural structures in revitalized areas; revitalization of Lesya Ukrainka Central Park and Taras Shevchenko Park as urban green spaces in the center of Kowel and revitalization of green area located next to Center for Dialogue of Cultures along in Kowel with adjoining riverside areas; informational and educational campaign on climate and biodiversity protection; organization of ecological picnics in Łęczna and Kowel as educational events; project opening and closing conference; project promotion; project management. Positive benefits that green infrastructure along with educational activities will bring to partners and the Polish - Ukrainian region: mitigating, alleviating and countering impacts of climate change; ensuring growth of biodiversity by creating of habitats that enable proper functioning of ecosystems; improving condition of natural environment and enhancing of quality of life for people; mitigation of urban heat island effect; increase in share of green infrastructure in total urban area; increased access to green infrastructure located in areas of unique natural and landscape value, including legally protected areas such as the Nadwieprzański Landscape Park; improvement of aesthetics and better utilization of public spaces in Łęczna and Kowel. Informational and educational campaign will provide knowledge and awareness to communities shaping and solidifying appropriate behaviors in caring for environment. Project will strengthen cross-border cooperation between Łęczna and Kowel and foster people-to-people contacts. Project outcomes: Surface of protected and valuable natural sites other than Natura 2000 – 12,70 hectares. Number of supported forms of nature conservation – 2 pcs. Number of carried out information and education campaigns – 1 pc. Jointly developed solutions – 1 pc. Solutions taken up or upscaled by organizations – 1 pc. Rehabilitated land used for green areas – 20.14 hectares. Project is targeted towards local authorities, schools, students and residents of Łęczna, Kowel and the Polish-Ukrainian region. The longstanding collaboration between Łęczna and Kowel has allowed for identification of common problems and challenges in ecological sphere, climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection and improving quality of life for residents, which can be addressed only through joint cross-border project. Project will be implemented through integrated cooperation, coordinated actions and knowledge and experience exchange. Partners will collectively agree on, prepare and actively participate in project activities. Created infrastructure will be accessible to all users. Project outcomes will benefit residents of Łęczna, Kowel, individuals from the Polish-Ukrainian region and beyond. Project actions will lead to achieving common results and goals that will serve partners on both sides of border. Łęczna and Kowel will have ecologically and aesthetically valuable infrastructure for the Polish-Ukrainian region. Łęczna and Kowel are designated as urban centers with supra-local significance tasked with stimulating regional development. Project offers opportunity to influence socio-economic development from local (city) to regional (province/oblast) level. Project creates conditions for increasing social, ecological and landscape attractiveness of both cities and regions.