Water in the Broumov region I

Description

The project concerns the implementation of selected measures, identified in the “Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for part of the Stěnava Basin” (the “Strategy”), produced under the project “Adaptation to Climate Change - Broumov Region I”, funded from the EEA and Norway Grants within the SGS-3 Oslo call (no. 3194100044). The measures are located in the cadastres of Otovice and Broumov. The project will consist of creating a water/wetland biotope, close to the centre of Otovice, plus 6 pools and marshes with a total area of around 2000 m2, as well as planting 217 trees and 440 shrubs, along roads or across agricultural land. The implemented measures will increase the ability of the local landscape to retain water, thus improving its adaptability to climate change. The local microclimate will improve, biodiversity will be aided, and staying outdoors will be more attractive. 

Summary of project results

In the face of growing climate change impacts, it’s clear that we need to act now to strengthen both our landscape and the resilience of the communities living in it. We believe that involving the public in the planning and execution of these measures is key—not only for raising awareness but also for ensuring that the solutions we propose are embraced and understood by everyone. Our project’s strategic goal is to secure the long-term adaptation of the landscape around Otovice and Broumov to the changing climate.

To achieve this, we are focusing on several specific objectives: restoring the natural water cycle in the landscape, increasing its capacity to retain water, expanding the areas of scattered greenery, and enhancing soil protection against erosion. We are also committed to ensuring that our landscape management is sustainable, promoting biodiversity, and encouraging civic participation. Open communication with landowners, state authorities, and local governments at the regional level will be essential to the success of these initiatives. Together, we can shape a future where both our environment and our communities thrive, even in the face of climate challenges.

We’ve successfully completed all six planned measures. In total, we planted 196 trees, 540 shrubs, and created 3,059.8 square meters of water areas. To share our progress, we published updates on both the beneficiary’s and partner’s websites, launched a bilingual Facebook profile, and released eight articles. We also produced a short promotional video and captured extensive photo documentation. Throughout the project, the "Water in the Broumov Region" working group worked intensively.

Volunteer involvement played a key role, not only in helping with implementation but also in actively participating in the working group. This group was formed based on the recommendations from the Adaptation Strategy for Climate Change in the Stenava River Basin, part of the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in Broumovsko I,” funded by EEA and Norway Grants. The group held 31 meetings and engaged in discussions with stakeholders to identify additional sites for implementation, gain landowner consent, and secure cooperation from management entities. This led to several smaller measures being planned and implemented beyond the scope of the original project, as well as an application for support in the Interreg CZ-PL program to further transfer knowledge, prepare studies, and carry out additional measures.

Through these efforts, we’ve not only strengthened the region’s landscape resilience to climate change but also improved water retention in the area. Most importantly, we actively involved the local community throughout the planning and implementation process, ensuring they had a voice in shaping their environment''s future.

The project is important for the localities and the region, especially in the actual implementation of measures that will increase the long-term resilience of the landscape to the impacts of climate change, and can serve as an example of good practice in the region and beyond. Last but not least, it has been important for the local public, who have found that they can promote their interests in improving the environment, and even propose solutions and actively cooperate with experts to implement them.