CLIMATE+ Cross-border cooperation and support to promote ecosystem resilience in the Polish-German border region

The main objective of the project is to: Strengthening cross-border Polish-German cooperation in climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention by developing and implementing innovative, ecosystem-based strategies and tools for stakeholders and residents, building the resilience of ecosystems, and raising local communities' awareness of the risks associated with climate change and resulting natural disasters in the border region.

Activities:

1. Modelling climate change adaptation measures in urban areas from a cross-border perspective.

- Development of urban climate change adaptation plans for the cities of Gubin and Guben, Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Küstrin-Kietz through a participatory process
- Identification of best practices in support organisation through the organisation of study visits
- Development of a concept for greening and rainwater and snowmelt management for the cities of Gubin and Guben, Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Küstrin-Kietz
- Pilot micro-adaptations: water retention
- Pilot micro-adaptations: technical preventive measures (preparation for adaptive functions)
- Pilot micro-adaptations: development of ecosystem services towards climate change adaptation
- Pilot micro-adaptations: development and maintenance of green spaces that play a significant role in mitigating flash floods and droughts
- Pilot micro-adaptations: measures for the microclimate (temperature reduction, shade provision, mood improvement)
- The adaptation process is being launched in the support area.

2. Raising awareness among residents of the border region and building the capacity of adaptation stakeholders.

- Establishing a Polish-German information and education centre, the 'Border Climate Adaptation Station', at Küstrin train station;
- Initiating and organising events as part of the School Climate Centre in Żary;
- Promoting the project.

Project deliverables:

Package 1:

• Participation in joint cross-border activities (220 people).
• 2. Two Municipal Adaptation Plans, including an action plan. - Concepts for greening and the management of rainwater and snowmelt;
• Pilot action: testing of implemented micro-adaptations in accordance with the concept for greening and stormwater and snowmelt management for the twin cities of Gubin and Guben, as well as Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Küstrin-Kietz.

Package 2:

• Participation in joint cross-border activities (525 people).

Project outcome:

Two cross-border MPAs, along with their annexes, tested within the project in the form of the Concept for Greening and Rainwater and Snowmelt Management for the cities of Guben and Gubin, as well as Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Küstrin-Kietz. These two MPAs and their appendices will constitute two comprehensive documents in substance. However, due to differing legal conditions in Poland and Germany, they can formally be separated into documents pertaining to the respective cities. The process of adoption of the tested, evaluated and revised plans by individual cities will consist of:

• The transfer of documents to Polish cities by means of a City Council resolution within one year of the project’s completion will serve as proof of transfer.
• The transfer of documents via a handover protocol and their incorporation into municipal records in German cities within one year of the project’s completion will also serve as proof of transfer.

Lead Partner: Instytut Ekologii Terenów Uprzemysłowionych

Project Partners: STIC Wirtschaftsfördergesellschaft Märkisch-Oderland mbH, Fundacja Natura Polska, Miasto Kostrzyn nad Odrą

Associated Partners: Miasto Żary, Gmina Gubin o statusie miejskim, Miasto Guben, Amt Golzow, Gmina Letschin

Project implementation period: 1.01.2026-31.12.2028

Project coordinator: Katarzyna Sitko, e-mail:

Project value: 1.186.394,87 EUR

Funding: Europejski Fundusz Rozwoju Regionalnego – Program Współpracy INTERREG VI A Brandenburgia-Polska 2021-2027 – 80% 949.115,89 EUR