PL
A survey on the issue of drought in Poland and actions to counteract its effects will begin soon. At the same time, preparations are already underway for the second nationwide conference “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!” State Water Holding – Polish Waters is counting on just as much interest as during the first conference! The full recording of the previous event has been published on YouTube (link), and answers to the most frequently asked questions from participants have been published here (link).
For years, an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts has been observed in Poland – the participants of the first conference did not need to be convinced of this. The topic of counteracting the effects of this phenomenon, including the preparation of the first update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan (uDECP), aroused great interest. The event was attended by 454 people, of whom 114 people participated in the substantive panels and discussions. The largest group of participants were representatives of public institutions and government and local government administration, but there were also representatives of non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs and private individuals.
All presentations presented during the “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!” conference, as well as a full recording of the event, are available here. The material includes Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpretation.
Together we create uDECP
“The problem of counteracting drought is serious. That is why we are pleased with strong interest in this issue. The aim of the current, first update of the Plan is to develop effective measures that will sustainably reduce the impact of drought and increase our country’s resistance to this growing threat. That is why dialogue with experts and practitioners is crucial at every stage of the project. The conclusions, questions and observations that emerged during and after the conference are an opportunity for us to listen to the needs and expectations of various social groups. We are pleased with the numerous questions regarding increasing cooperation in creating uDECP. We invite everyone to take part in co-create this important document,” says Rafał Jakimiak, coordinator of the uDECP project. The work on uDECP is supported by a group of experts, including representatives from the scientific community and non-governmental organizations.
Important questions
During the 1st conference “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!,” questions and observations regarding the implementation of DECP and expectations related to the uDECP project appeared not only during the discussion panels. Polish Waters allowed all interested parties to ask questions and share conclusions in the meeting chat, as well as after the conference: by e-mail and via a specially prepared online form available on the website www.stopsuszy.pl. The questions included topics such as proper water management in agricultural areas or growing expectations regarding the increasing water needs of agriculture and other sectors. The greatest interest concerned plans and possibilities of implementing activities in the field of natural retention, which is particularly important because the work on uDECP is focused on activities aimed at shaping natural retention.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions have been published here.
The survey starts soon
The survey process will begin shortly. Local government representatives will be invited to fill out the survey first and foremost. The information collected in this way will be used to assess the effects of the actions taken so far to counteract the effects of drought in Poland and will be used to prepare an action plan for the coming years.
The 2nd nationwide conference “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!” is getting closer
Work has begun on organizing the next “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!” conference, which will take place at the end of May this year. The event’s central theme will be EDUCATION, which aims to increase awareness of the threats associated with drought and promote effective actions in the field of water retention. The conference will also aim to exchange knowledge, best practices and innovative solutions in this field. Details about the event will be published on an ongoing basis on the website www.stopsuszy.pl.
The Drought Effects Counteracting Plan (DECP) is the key document in the fight against drought in Poland. It is created on the basis of the guidelines of the EU Water Framework Directive and the provisions of national law – the Water Law Act. The first DECP was developed for the years 2021-2027 and, in accordance with the Act, is subject to update at least once every six years. The completion of work on the uDECP project is planned for 2027, and the adoption of the uDECP, by way of a regulation of the minister responsible for water management, is to take place at the turn of 2027 and 2028.
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 (FEnIKS).
