UrbanLakes: Cross-Border Synergy for Blue Ecosystem Preservation

U_Lakes project clearly deals with a common challenge of the cross-border region, which is a need of natural resources protection from both climate and non-climate-related natural risks and risks linked to human activities because of their negative impact on flora and fauna in the Programme area. Differences in nature protection systems between Romania and Ukraine make it difficult to undertake joint, uniform actions related to environmental protection. Another common challenge is the low ecological awareness of residents and stakeholders operating in the Programme area, and the need to increase coordination capacities and environmental consciousness of the population for the preservation and valorization of biodiversity, thus protecting the areas and ensuring their sustainable use. Joint cooperation is needed to preserve them for future generations, since quality of the natural environment is the key aspect of its inhabitants’ high quality of life. The project is aimed at the protection of blue ecosystems and surrounding green spaces. Its overall objective is “To introduce a developed joint Action Plan with the arrangement of two recreational zones at the lakes in Botosani and Ivano-Frankivsk based on the best European Union approaches in blue and green infrastructure management and nature protection using the principles of cooperation and good neighbourliness”. It is directly related to Priority 1 “Environmental focus across borders” and SO. 1.2 “Enhancing protection and preservation of nature biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution”. Achievement of this objective will allow changing the level of general awareness about biodiversity protection, create tools for sustainable use of blue and green spaces, introduce qualitative new approaches to their management, and establish the basis for future long-term cross-border cooperation. The project outputs will be threefold. Firstly, it will be a joint action plan setting recommendations for sustainable management of blue and green infrastructure (BGI) with the possibility of multiplication and upscaling for other recreational zones in the partner cities and beyond. Secondly, it will be the creation of a pool of experts who will gain new knowledge, learn best practices, and be able to influence decision-making in the area of biodiversity protection even after the project implementation. In addition, the ecological consciousness of the population will be improved as they will learn about the need for biodiversity protection and the value of natural ecosystems. Scientific and participatory approaches will contribute to joint action plan development. All key actors engaged in research and management of urban blue and green zones in cities will benefit from capacity-building activities and the action plan. Thirdly, it will be the arrangement of recreational zones in the target areas - German Lake in Ivano-Frankivsk (IF) and lake in Mihai Eminescu Park in Botosani (BT) showcasing the best practices learned under the project and being an example of sustainable use of urban ecosystems. The final beneficiaries will be all residents and tourists in the partner cities. U_Lakes project tackles actual needs and challenges being recognized on the transnational level and demanding a cross-border approach. Cross-border cooperation will allow increasing expertise for more people in Ukraine who will be integrated into the European environmental space and will influence the decision-making for adopting sustainable approaches to urban greenery planning. Cross-border approach will ensure wide acceptance of the project results and outputs among users and transferability within the Programme territory and beyond. Project's long-term cross-border impact is remarkable, as it will ensure sustainable use of target areas and protection of their biodiversity, preventing adverse impacts on the environment. Established partnership allows for further cooperation between IF and BT in various areas. Drawing from existing insights into the state of affairs in the cross-border region, sustainable development principles, and environmental concerns, the project focuses on developing new tools in BGI planning, management, and sustainable use. The action plan will serve as a much-needed resource for partners dealing with challenges in sustainable urban development and biodiversity protection within respective ecosystems. Separate sections will address specific conditions in partner cities, complemented by overarching recommendations for broader applicability. Furthermore, the project’s novelty is that target areas will be arranged according to the “people as guests of nature” concept with minimum impact on the ecosystem and will be used for promoting nature protection and sustainable urban development. In the face of aggressive urbanization, it is worth fighting for islands of wildlife in the middle of a big city.

To introduce a developed joint Action Plan with the arrangement of two recreational zones at the lakes in Botosani and Ivano-Frankivsk based on the best European Union approaches in blue and green infrastructure management and nature protection using the principles of cooperation and good neighbourliness.