INAWARE: Cross-border cooperation on integrated nature and water resource management between Bauska and Biržai districts

Project duration: 2006/03/01 - 2007/12/31

Due to implementation of EU nature conservation and water management policies, Latvia and Lithuania face similar challenges today. The EU Member States have been assigned new tasks in these fields setting up EU network of nature protected areas called Natura 2000; developing river basin management plans, planning of local nature conservation measures, etc.

Now regional and local authorities have a role to play in practical implementation of the nature conservation and water management policies by participating and contributing to various planning processes.
The overall goal of the project is to strengthen cooperation among Bauska and Biržai regions for better nature and water management through integration of these issues in planning processes.

Objectives:

To exchange experience and develop common approaches for protected nature areas and water resources management;
To enhance cooperation between local and regional municipalities, as well as other state institutions, NGOs in Bauska and Biržai districts;
To promote integrated planning approach by incorporating nature protection and water management concerns in planning documents;
To demonstrate nature conservation and water management measures;
To promote awareness of society in nature and water values.
In frame of the project following activities will be implemented:

Workshops:

Management of protected territories in cross-border areas
Integration of Nature and Water Resource Management Requirements in Spatial Planning documents
Public discussion forum on amendments for spatial plans
Discussion forums with youth

The case/feasibility studies:

Management plan for Nature park “Bauska”;
4 demonstration sites for a clean up of river banks in Bauska City, Ceraukste parish, Rundale parish and Biržai municipality
Reconstruction of lock-gate (Ceraukste)
Restoration of lake habitats (Biržai)

The project lead party is Bauska District Council. BEF Lithuania is a project partner being responsible for the workshop package.
Other partners of the project are: BEF Latvia, Bauska City Council, Rundāle Parish Council, Ceraukste Parish Council, Biržai Regional Park Administration, Biržai District Municipal Administration.
The project is financed by European Union Community initiative INTERREG