Discussing drought solutions in Poland
The participants of the first RIWET stakeholder meeting in Poland represented many different institutions and organizations. Interested parties from regional governments, public administration, water management institutions, university nature science faculties, as well as farmers’ organizations, and environmental protection and forestry management institutions joined the event.
Drought & agriculture
The main scope on this occasion was a discussion on drought in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, its effects on farming and possible solutions for this problem, potentially by improving water retention using nature-based solutions. Agriculture is one of the main pillars of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie’s economy and therefore water management and availability is crucial for the regional development.
Sharing RIWET practices
Firsty, the main aspects of global climate change and its influence on current and future regional policy was presented. Since one of the ways to support the regional policy implementation is participation in the INTERREG Europe projects, Olga Ossowska introduced the audience to the main goals of RIWET while participants of the study visits in Drenthe (Netherlands) and Riga (Latvia) shared the good practices they had witnessed during these meetings, adding proposed recommendations for Kujawsko-Pomorskie region.
Underlining the importance of such learning Rafal Modrzewski remarks: “This is why such international exchange visits are so important. We can see similar challenges and what works and then bring this inspiration back to our own region.”
Water retention to combat drought
Following interactive discussions with many opinions and perspectives, everyone acknowledged that at the end of the day that there is no life or economy without water. In conclusion, the stakeholders agreed that water retention facilities need to be developed to hold water after incidents of extreme precipitation to avoid the threat of shortages and drought in the future.
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