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Description
Children and adolescents - the main recipients of the educational activities planned in the project, but also adult inhabitants of Gryfino, lack correct models of conduct in the field of actions that they can take at the local level to reduce the causes of global warming and implement measures to adapt to climate change in their immediate vicinity. They also lack practical skills.
Training and education of the inhabitants of Gryfino and the surrounding area are planned, during which they will learn about possible adaptation and mitigation activities. The investment activities in the project will be exemplary - shown as to be repeated by residents in their backyard gardens, in a shared yard near the block. Training of experts on Blue-Green solutions at the planning level in the Commune will allow for scaling the effect of the project.
The aim of the project is to strengthen the immunity of Gryfino to the negative effects of climate change, as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local level.
The project target group are the inhabitants of Commune Gryfino - their awareness of the causes and effects of climate change will increase, and they will acquire practical skills to counteract it.
The project partner is an expert in the field of landscaping with respect to biodiversity and successful Blue-Green implementations. His main task will be to provide Polish experts with knowledge in the field of planning and design at the commune level. Added value - knowledge transfer to Gryfino in the field of Blue-Green engineering solutions (planning, implementation, maintenance). The added value for the partner is the possibility of disseminating the existing knowledge, contributing to the reduction of the causes of global warming and to the effects of climate change at the local level.
Summary of project results
In Poland, 12.4 million people live in small/medium-sized towns and 10.7 million in large cities. This means that the population is equally exposed to the effects of climate change. However, small/medium-sized towns often do not have sufficient human and budget resources to adequately prepare for climate change.
Gryfino is a small town with less than 20,000 inhabitants. Due to the hilly terrain on which the town is located, during heavy rainfall, rainwater flows in huge amounts and with great force to the lower parts of the town. However, during summer periods, the town experiences droughts that destroy vegetation. So droughts, heat waves and strong winds are the main climate threats that Gryfino has to face.
Based on data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, air temperatures in the West Pomeranian region in 2014-2023 were classified as: extremely warm, anomalously warm and very warm, and precipitation conditions at the regional synoptic station were classified as dry and very dry. Average annual rainfall does not exceed 500 ml, and most importantly, the precipitation structure has changed: short, heavy rains that flow down the ground hardened by drought do not increase soil moisture but cause local floods.
In this regard, Gryfino has demonstrated a strong will to start a transformational journey towards building resilience to climate change.
In addition when planning project activities in 2021, the applicant - Gryfino Commune took into account the results of surveys conducted among Poles showing that the level of knowledge about climate in Polish society is low (large gaps were declared more often by young people than by older people). Young people, compared to older age groups, assessed their knowledge about the environment and climate change as poor.
In Poland, the core curriculum in grades I-III and IV-VIII literally does not contain any elements of climate education. It is also similar in secondary schools.
However, in order to motivate all citizens, regardless of age, to individual action, a high level of awareness and understanding of the issue, based on reliable knowledge, is necessary, and since 70% of the sources of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are households (Hertwich, Peters, 2009), education of various social groups, which is to serve to raise this awareness, is of key importance.
It is particularly important that such education is implemented among children and adolescents in order not only to equip young people with the appropriate knowledge, but also to shape their pro-environmental attitudes and social competences, thanks to which, as adult citizens, they will consciously protect the environment, including the climate.
Taking the above into account, the beneficiary of the project, the Municipality of Gryfino, identified the following challenges the project aimed to address:
1. lack of knowledge and awareness of the residents of the Municipality of Gryfino about climate change and its negative effects,
2. lack of appropriate green and blue infrastructure in the city, which could strengthen its resistance to climate change, in particular heat waves and droughts,
3. little knowledge of local government employees about good practices used in Europe and around the world to prevent the effects of climate change through the implementation of green and blue infrastructure.
- As part of the project, 16 areas in Gryfino were developed into green and blue infrastructure.
1. development of the Love Hill area in Gryfino with green infrastructure and small architecture,
2. development of the Opolanka recreational area with green infrastructure - planting of trees, and small architecture and solar lighting,
3. creation of Eko Corner - a place of ecological education (development of the area with green infrastructure - planting of shrubs, and small architecture and solar lighting),
4. creation of a green square - a place of remembrance at the Municipal Cemetery in Gryfino (development of the area with green infrastructure - - planting of trees, and small architecture),
5. planting of greenery: trees, shrubs and perennials on the square by the sports and entertainment hall in Gryfino,
6. planting of greenery: trees, shrubs and perennials on the wharf in Gryfino,
7. creation of a large flower meadow of 0.5 ha and planting of trees on the outskirts of Gryfino,
8. development of the area with green infrastructure: planting of trees, shrubs and perennials and installation of an insect hotel in the area around the retention reservoir at ul. Kochanowskiego Street,
9. creation of a bee garden: a flower meadow, tree plantings and installation of an insect hotel on the area at Fredry Street,
10. planting of greenery: trees, shrubs and perennials on the area at Mazowiecka and Mazurska Streets,
11. installation of rainwater tanks on the area of the Municipal Nursery in Gryfino,
12. creation of educational corners on the area of the Laguna Aquapark (educational small architecture),
13. installation of solar lighting on the parking lot at the Crooked Forest natural monument,
14. creation of a pocket garden: planting ornamental grasses and small architecture on the area of Kolejowa Street in Gryfino,
15. creation of a rain garden at Kindergarten No. 1 named “the Dwarf Hałabała” in Gryfino,
16. creation of a rain garden at Kindergarten No. 5 named “Calineczka” in Gryfino.
- As part of the task entitled Educational gardens, in addition to the educational program on climate change for primary schools in Gryfino, "permanent educational gardens" were created on the area near primary schools no. 1, 2 and 3 in Gryfino (rainwater tanks , shelters, benches and flower pots were purchased and installed in which school children planted vegetables, flowers and perennials) and educational benches and boards were purchased and installed in schools in the commune with information on trees, shrubs and meadow plants occurring locally (in the towns of: Żabnica, Radziszewo, Chwarstnica and Gardno).
- The project also included 6 educational programs, during which a total of 1580 people were trained:
- Green Public Forum - 600 people took part in various activities: a dendrological walk, workshops on urban greenery, etc.;
- Bicycle Picnic - 200 cyclists participating in the bicycle picnic expanded their knowledge on climate change;
- educational garden program - 160 students from primary schools in Gryfino, took part in live nature lessons and took care of green urban areas (children and youth watered trees and bushes in urban areas);
- tree adoption program - residents and organizations adopted 100 trees in the city (everyone who adopted a tree declared that they would take care of it, e.g. water it during periods of drought;
- training on establishing rain gardens at homes (training participants learned what a rain garden is, why it is worth creating a rain garden, how to do it) - 200 people trained;
- training on building insect houses and protecting biodiversity (The classes were intended to teach children and parents how to easily prepare an insect box, and to teach them the importance of protecting flora and fauna. During the training, issues related to the useful importance of insects in nature were also discussed) - 320 people trained.
- In addition, as part of the project, 78 people were trained by engineers - employees of the project Partner - Verkis hf. From Reykjavik, in the implementation of blue and green infrastructure in cities in order to adapt them to climate change:
- 8 employees of the project beneficiary - the Gryfino City and Municipality Office took part in 5 workshops organized by the project Partner in Gryfino and Reykjavik;
- 70 employees of local government institutions of the Szczecin Metropolitan Area and representatives of municipalities included in the Gryfino County took part in training on 19-20th March 2024 in Czepino (Gryfino Commune).
All training participants received certificates documenting the knowledge they acquired about climate change, its negative effects and ways to prevent negative effects using blue and green infrastructure solutions.
During the trainings, engineers from Verkis, a company with international experience, provided participants with the best practices in this field used in Europe and around the world.
- As part of individual project activities, together with the employees of the Project Partner, engineers from the company - Verkis hf., 5 educational materials were also prepared in 3 languages: Polish, German and English:
1. I wonder why trees and greenery are important - a short guide to climate change for the youngest with coloring books.
2. Insect houses - the brochure was created on the occasion of organizing training on building insect houses, it contains practical information on how to build such a house and why insects are useful.
3. This is how the climate changes - educational material on climate change prepared for primary school students.
4. Why do we need urban greenery - educational material for adults, which was prepared in connection with the organization of the Green Public Forum. The material explains what climate change is and how important urban greenery is in adapting to these changes.
5. Rain gardens - the brochure was created on the occasion of organizing training on establishing home rain gardens; based on the brochure, you can create your own rain garden.
1. The implementation of the project has greatly increased the awareness of the society of the Gryfino Commune (and also thanks to the cooperation of the Gryfino Commune with the Szczecin Metropolitan Area, municipalities and cities associated within the SOM) in the field of climate change, its effects and the need to take action to strengthen the resilience of cities. Thanks to the knowledge gained during the implementation of the project, the city and municipal authorities, as well as employees of the municipality and institutions, have gained additional awareness of the actions that need to be taken to counteract the effects of climate change and strengthen the city''s resilience to climate change. Both the society and the city authorities agree on the positive results of the actions taken as part of the project, as well as the need to continue them. It is worth adding that the great involvement of children and young people in the project activities and the knowledge they acquired during their implementation may in the future result in a common change in many behaviors to those that help protect the climate and implement sustainable development.
Achieved project indicators:
Number of people covered by awareness campaigns: 220 261 people
- The project also included 6 educational programs, during which a total of 1580 people were trained:
- Green Public Forum - 600 people took part in various activities: a dendrological walk, workshops on urban greenery, etc.;
- Bicycle Picnic - 200 cyclists participating in the bicycle picnic expanded their knowledge on climate change;
- educational garden program - 160 students from primary schools in Gryfino, took part in live nature lessons and took care of green urban areas;
- tree adoption program - residents and organizations adopted 100 trees in the city;
- training on establishing rain gardens at homes - 200 people trained;
- training on building insect houses and protecting biodiversity - 320 people trained.
Additionally, in 2022-2023, 218 681 people visited educational corners in the Laguna Aquapark (small educational architecture), which were constructed as part of the project.
2. Implementation of the project tasks enabled taking actions contributing to mitigating climate change in the city, i.e. increasing the area of green areas, which minimized the "urban heat island" phenomenon, development of blue infrastructure (rainwater tanks, rain gardens). As part of the project, the natural wealth of nature was used in developed recreational and leisure areas to improve the quality of life of residents, which contributed to the sustainable development of the city and protection of the natural environment.
Achieved project indicators:
Area of created/revitalized green areas: 10,29 ha
Number of completed investments in green and blue infrastructure: 11
- The blue-green infrastructure created as part of the project:
- 2 new recreational areas: Eko Corner - a place of ecological education and a green square - a place of remembrance at the Municipal Cemetery in Gryfino,
- 2 revitalized existing green areas: Love Hill and Opolanka in Gryfino,
- planting trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and installing insect hotels in 6 areas in Gryfino,
- 4 rain gardens at kindergartens in Gryfino,
- a pocket garden on Kolejowa Street in Gryfino,
- 2 educational corners at the Laguna Aquapark,
- 13 rainwater tanks at the Municipal Nursery and primary schools in Gryfino,
- 11 educational paths at primary schools in the Gryfino Commune, in the Laguna Aquapark and in green areas in Gryfino,
- 12 solar lamps installed in green areas in Gryfino.
As part of the project, of the above-mentioned areas (10,29 ha) the following were planted in all :
- 350 trees,
- 820 shrubs,
- 2 580 perennials,
- 2 770 ornamental grasses.
3. The activities undertaken within the project have contributed significantly to strengthening bilateral relations between the Donor States and the Beneficiary States, i.e. in the case of the Municipality of Gryfino, strengthening bilateral relations with Iceland and the Icelandic project partner – the engineering company Verkis hf.
Employees of the Gryfino City and Municipality Office highly value the knowledge and experience additionally gained during workshops prepared by the Project Partner – Verkis hf. on the use of green and blue infrastructure in cities in order to adapt them to climate change.
Many positive opinions were also received about the training courses prepared by Verkis for employees of local government institutions of the Szczecin Metropolitan Area and representatives of municipalities included in Gryfino County. The good cooperation carried out within the project co-financed from EEA funds encouraged both the Municipality of Gryfino and the Icelandic partner to continue cooperation, as well as to implement other projects in international partnership.
Achieved project indicators:
Number of trained experts: 78
- As part of the project, 78 people were trained by engineers - employees of the project Partner - Verkis hf. from Reykjavik, in the implementation of blue and green infrastructure in cities in order to adapt them to climate change:
- 8 employees of the project beneficiary - the Gryfino City and Municipality Office took part in 5 workshops organized by the project Partner in Gryfino and Reykjavik;
- 70 employees of local government institutions of the Szczecin Metropolitan Area and representatives of municipalities included in the Gryfino County took part in training on 19-20th March 2024 in Czepino (Gryfino Commune).
4. The implementation of a very wide range of both investment and social activities within the project, addressed to various social and age groups: children, youth, seniors and the general public of the city and commune of Gryfino, enabled broad communication and promotion of the European Economic Area Funds, as well as the contribution and role of the Donor States, i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Achieved project indicators:
Number of residents who benefit from adaptation and mitigation measures:303 311 people
Summary of bilateral results
As part of the “Adaptation to climate change” project, the Gryfino Commune signed a partnership agreement with Verkís. The agreement divided the project tasks between the Project Leader and the Partner. The Partner’s tasks included environmental consulting, designing small architecture elements and training experts in the field of climate change. The employees of the Project Partner:•prepared and conducted 3 blocks of training:•prepared the content to 5 educational folders:•consulted on architectural designs for 8 areas that were completed within the projectThe main results from a bilateral level:1. Increased level of trust and strengthened bilateral relations between entities from beneficiary states and Donor States. 2. Increased level of knowledge of the project beneficiary''s employees on climate change and the use of green and blue infrastructure in cities. 3. The knowledge, skills and experience gained during the project are used by the Project Beneficiary’s employees in their daily work.The good cooperation carried out within the project co-financed by the EEA funds encouraged both the Municipality of Gryfino and the Icelandic partner to take steps to continue cooperation in areas related to the development of ecological construction, blue and green infrastructure in the city as well as expanding knowledge and exchanging experiences.