PL
Polish Waters is preparing the first update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan (uDECP). Along with the subsequent stages of this project, the phases of the information and promotion campaign are changing, marked with colors: red (informing about the threat) and yellow (preparing the best solutions).
The educational conference in Cracow is behind us, with which we have just entered the yellow stage.
We debated on May 27th of this year.
uDECP is the most important document concerning drought in our country. It will set directions of action and define necessary undertakings to be implemented in specific places in the country. Work on it is planned to be completed in 2027. It is supported by a group of experts, including representatives of the world of science, practitioners, and non-governmental organizations. The document is also being worked on by an inter-ministerial working group, which is considering the shape of actions to counteract the effects of drought.
Yellow: We Are Looking For the Best Solutions
“We are entering the most important part of the project. The ongoing discussions and meetings will allow for joint preparation for the public consultations of the uDECP project,” says Joanna Kopczyńska, President of the State Water Holding Polish Waters. “Both scientists and practitioners were present at the Cracow conference. We also invited students from all over the country, who, under the supervision of experts, worked on specific solutions for counteracting the effects of drought in agriculture and in urban and forest areas. The conference was the next stage of the discussion. The effect of all the meetings will be the preparation of the uDECP project, which will be subject to six-month public consultations,” she explains. Then, the draft document will be supplemented with conclusions from the public consultations and will be agreed between the ministries. The finished document is to be adopted by the minister responsible for water management by way of a regulation.
“Stop drought!” at the University, Exhibitions, and… in Film
Each phase of the project is accompanied by communication in social media; podcasts and films are also published on YouTube and articles in the media. Educational activities are conducted on the project website www.stopsuszy.pl to systematize knowledge about drought. Ahead of us are meetings with children and young people, a nationwide art and graphic competition. There is also no shortage of meetings and films with the participation of experts. The campaign activities with the logo “Stop Drought! Start Retention!” are supported by the project ambassador – the well-known and popular actor Mateusz Banasiuk. Preparations for a film promoting the project with his participation are already underway.
“The information campaign is very important. Although as a society we know more and more about drought, we usually only talk about it when we already feel its troublesome effects. Meanwhile, we have to think about this dangerous phenomenon in a broad time perspective. We have to prepare for it and plan the necessary actions well in advance. That is why the proposals for actions submitted to the uDECP project are so important. We invite everyone to talk,” says Adrian Kołczewiak, Deputy Director of the Department of Flood and Drought Protection, State Water Holding Polish Waters.
We inform about the activities regarding uDECP in the press, on social media and on the websites of Polish Waters and the project: www.stopsuszy.pl
The project “Review and update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan” was co-financed from the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment for the years 2021-2027.
