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Description
The project is a response to the diagnosed problem of illegal development of river and lake shorelines in the Warmia-Masuria Province. Rivers and lakes are the greatest asset of Warmia-Masuria that distinguish the region from others. Unfortunately, coastal areas are often developed illegally by owners of properties adjacent to water bodies. This makes it impossible for residents, anglers or tourists to have free access to water areas, which by law are public waters. According to information from the Olsztyn Branch of the Supreme Audit Office, inspections of compliance with the ban on fencing access to lakes accounted for only 11 per cent of all inspections carried out. The aim of the project is to increase citizen activism in defending lakes in Warmia-Masuria region by equipping them with the necessary tools for self-organisation. As part of the project, we conduct information meetings and workshops to provide people with legal information and help them prepare applications to relevant institutions. We show how to enforce the law to remove obstacles to the use of river and lake shorelines. We record short pieces of advice in the form of a video blog. The project will create a space for dialogue with local authorities and strengthen social capital in the region. Citizens will gain knowledge of water law and other legislation, so they will use the information provided to improve their immediate environment and become directly involved in the law-making process.
Summary of project results
It was a pilot project addressed to water users, the main goal of which was:
increasing citizens'' activity in defending lakes in Warmia and Masuria by equipping them
with the necessary tools for self-organization.
The main goal was achieved through three specific goals:
1. Building volunteer activity in the field of improving the quality of the natural environment and stopping the degradation of the shorelines of rivers and lakes in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (on a pilot basis in the Szczytno and Olsztyn poviats).
2. Citizen involvement in the local law-making process.
3. Educating citizens and equipping them with legal tools and skills to make decisions
self-help activities.
This was done by organizing free information and workshop meetings, during which legal information was provided and assistance in preparing applications to relevant institutions, including indicating the legal path to eliminate obstacles to the use of the shoreline of rivers and lakes. Recordings of short advice were also made
in the form of an online vlog and placed on the website and social networking sites.
Additionally, during festivals, harvest festivals and other municipal and municipal celebrations, an educational tent was set up, where information was provided and materials were distributed, project activities were promoted and signatures were collected on petitions to the national authorities.
The following activities were carried out as part of the project:
Five episodes of an educational vlog were created regarding the protection of river and lake shores and legal aspects of the construction of water facilities. A telephone service was established throughout the duration of the project and was available continuously, ensuring continuous access to professional advice. A project website was created with the possibility of e-mail communication, which served as the main source of information and support for interested parties. 18 information and educational meetings with workshops were held (53 hours in total), attended by 181 people, led by an expert in water law and water management.
5 river and lake cleaning campaigns were organized, during which over 5 km of shorelines were cleaned, with the participation of approximately 70 people.
Promotional and information stands were set up at various field events, visited by several hundred people.
Two petitions were sent to local and national authorities, signed by 355 and 356 people each.
A Facebook fanpage was run, which gained 286 and 323 likes, exceeding the planned minimum of 200.
200 copies of training materials were developed and distributed.
181 copies of participation diplomas were prepared and distributed
10,000 copies of information leaflets were prepared and distributed.
200 copies of information posters were prepared and distributed.
We have prepared an information and educational stand in 8 locations, making planned purchases (tent, tables and chairs)
We carried out a minor renovation of the rooms, adapting them for the needs of the association (warehouse and office)
We have strengthened our personal potential by completing postgraduate studies by our member in the field of: Care pedagogy with psychological and pedagogical assistance, Education - rehabilitation of people with hearing disabilities (surdopedagogy) and Education - rehabilitation of people with visual disabilities (tyflopedagogy).
During the implementation of the project, we experienced positive reception of our activities. The topics discussed, regarding problems with access to shorelines and related legal aspects, turned out to be not only interesting, but also extremely necessary for residents, tourists and anglers. Project participants expressed gratitude for the advice provided and materials provided, and also appreciated the opportunity to obtain reliable and professional information.
As part of the project, an evaluation survey was used, the results of which indicate a significant increase in participants'' knowledge - from 29.2% before the training to 98% after its completion. This result reflects the effectiveness of the adopted knowledge transfer method. We managed to engage 181 people in the workshops, which is 90.5% of the expected number of participants. In addition, the Facebook funpage gained 322 followers, exceeding the assumed goal. The petitions were signed by over 300 people, which also proves the success of the project.
The project observed changes among participants and other recipients, mainly in terms of awareness and responsibility for the natural environment. These changes were identified through evaluation surveys, observations and direct conversations with participants. It was also possible to partially respond to the needs identified before the start of the project, especially in the field of education and raising awareness about shoreline protection.
The project was implemented in cooperation with local governments, which brought mutual benefits, both in terms of logistics and promotion, as well as in achieving the project goals. The long-term benefits of the project include increased public awareness of environmental protection and the potential to influence local policies and practices. The success of the project in the area of its implementation indicates that it can be treated as a pilot for similar initiatives on a larger scale, both in the voivodeship and the entire country.