Financed by the European Union

1/ 2014 Newsletter of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme

Poland - Belarus - Ukraine 2007-2013

In this issue:

LOCAL COMMUNITIES' INITIATIVES PROJECTS (UMBRELLA PROJECTS)

HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

7 WAYS TO WELCOME THE SPRING WITH CBC PROJECTS

CROSS-BORDER CAPITALIZATION: ANALYSIS OF CROSS-BORDER

COOPERATION PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF "REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AND REGIONAL STRATEGY TO INCREASE COMPETITIVENESS"

CROSS-BORDER CAPITALIZATION: INVESTMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AND EFFICIENT USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES' INITIATIVES PROJECTS (UMBRELLA PROJECTS)

HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

The six projects from the Measure 3.2. Local communities' initiatives (contracted from

the 3rd Call for Proposals) shall start their activities in the first months of the year. In total

56 micro-projects are incorporated into the umbrella projects. All the activities of the

micro-projects within an umbrella project must form a globally coherent project with

common objectives. The idea of the umbrella project concept was to make the

Programme funds available for the smallest entities without experience in the

implementation of cross-border projects and to involve maximum number of local

partners in the networking and cooperation. The Cross-border Cooperation Programme

Poland - Belarus - Ukraine 2007-2013 is the only ENPI programme that takes

advantage of the umbrella projects solution. Detailed description of the umbrella

projects you can find at www.pl-by-ua.eu/contract.php?cfp=3

On 13-14 March 2014 in Rzeszów launching conference for the umbrella projects took

place. The goal of the meeting was to present the implementation rules and support

the projects in understanding of the requirements of the Programme. The beneficiaries

had also an opportunity to take advantage of group workshops and discuss the

individual case studies with the project managers from the Joint Technical Secretariat.

In total 116 representatives of the umbrella projects participated. The agenda included

presentations on eligibility of the costs, procurement and rule of origin, reporting,

changes in the project, visibility and communications as well as on general

recommendations how to avoid mistakes in the projects and increase their

effectiveness. In addition national requirements in the project implementation in the

territory of Belarus and Ukraine were discussed. All the presentations from the

conference (in Polish or Russian) can be found here. The picture gallery of the event

you can find here http://www.pl-by-ua.eu/en,news,132

7 WAYS TO WELCOME THE SPRING WITH THE CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS

We enclose websites of selected projects where you can find more information about

their implementation progress and a lot of inspiration how to discover the border

regions. The spring has sprung and you may follow the projects when planning your

excursions.

Proposal 1. Bicycle route - Traces of Bug River Secrets

www.szlak-rowerowy.pswbp.pl

Proposal 2. Partner project of development of common tourism based on new

youth sport and leisure centers

youthtourism.org.ua/en/

Proposal 3. Geo-Carpathians – Creating a Polish-Ukrainian Tourist Route

geokarpaty.net/

Proposal 4. Lubaczów-Yavoriv two potentials, joint opportunity

www.citig.lubaczow.pl/

Proposal 5. Stimulation of the tourism development in the Carpathian Region by

tourist’s service and security improvement.

rovin.com.ua/index.php/en/our-projects/tourism/stimulation-of-the-tourism-development

Proposal 6. Improvement of cross-border region attractiveness through the

introduction of enthno-cultural resources into the tourist activities (a trip to the

ethnic fairytale)

www.suwalki-turystyka.info.pl/index.php?id=110,189

Proposal 7. Creation of Polish-Ukrainian Center of Breeding and Promotion of

Hucul Horse

www.huculy-polska-ukraina.eu

Series of cross-border capitalization articles

Svitlana Halko, Assoc.,

Senior Scientific Associate

Institute for Economic Research and Political Consulting

Analysis of cross-border cooperation projects

in the field of "Regional development and regional strategy to increase

competitiveness" within the Cross-border Cooperation Programme

Poland - Belarus - Ukraine 2007 – 2013

Border regions are active zones, which play a significant role in the

rapprochement of the national economy and the world, because they are on the verge

of global and national economic area. Therefore, cross-border programme, including

Poland, Belarus and Ukraine is a specific mechanism which allows us to begin the

process of border regions approximation with a further popularization of this experience

throughout the country.

It should be noted that the driving force to increase regional competitiveness and

stimulate economic interaction processes, both on internal and inter-regional level, is a

unique combination of resources, potential and peculiarities of the geographical location

of regions. Therefore, when it comes to the competitiveness of the region, its

development and strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the region, it should be

immediately noted that the process is quite complicated, conditioned by many

interacting factors, but the high competitiveness of the region clearly contributes to

better investment attractiveness, higher standard of living and effective use of

resources, including the use of existing economic potential of the region.

This article aims to present the results of the overall analysis of cross-border

cooperation projects in the field of "Regional development and regional competitiveness

increasing strategy" within the cross-border cooperation Programme Poland - Belarus -

Ukraine 2007-2013 which submits proposals towards the development of further

cooperation in specific sectors. We have examined 15 projects (list of projects is shown

in Table 1), five of which are intended to increase the competitiveness of border areas,

nine projects concern improvement of quality of life of the population, in particular,

assurance of efficient and secure borders, and one project intends to support

cooperation initiatives of local border communities.

Svitlana Halko at the Programme conference

І. Local border communities’ cooperation initiatives

We begin our analysis from the Project which aims to support local community

initiatives in the border regions, namely, "Cooperation of local authorities of towns Rivne

and Lublin as part of the development of cross-border area." This project, in our opinion,

is quite exemplary and should be the model to build the foundation of successful

cooperation, because every development originates from establishing direct and close

contact and common understanding of certain matters. Precisely such an approach

represents a first step towards the development of regions.

The main objective of this project lies in the intensification of the cooperation

between state institutions in the cities of Rivne and Lublin within the limits of supporting

socio-economic development of the region. Moreover, the cooperation is not limited to

the municipalities of the two cities, but provides for establishing and maintaining regular

contacts between representatives of municipal and other institutions of the two cities in

such fields as culture and education, youth and sports development, investment and

entrepreneurship, health and social care infrastructure and public services.

We must admit that the current difficulties between employees of different cities

arise from seemingly quite simple things, such as low understanding of language,

limited knowledge of modern technologies, including Internet and, as in the case of the

Rivne, minute knowledge of the programme of the European Union, project

management, the possibility of cross-border cooperation. Implementation of this project

will consist in overcoming the gap between those partners. Contacts established in this

way and exchange of experiences with more experienced partner is a good support and

stimulus for further fruitful cooperation in all areas in the future.

Proposals for the development of further cooperation in the given field

1. Active promotion of EU programmes concerning the possibility of cross-

border cooperation in border regions.

2. Strengthening of horizontal communication between partners, and at the

same time devoting sufficient attention to cooperation, which goes from the

bottom up and not only from the upper management level.

3. Establishing common priority directions of neighboring border regions

development and ensuring their documentary approval by each partner.

4. Taking into account the risk of a conflict of interest at the local, regional or

national level.

5. Dedication of special attention to practical skills regarding preparation for the

submission of project documentation (project-estimate documentation) and

implementation of Cross-Border Cooperation Projects.

6. Creating the conditions for "leveling" the basic understanding of the problems

of regional development on the part of the representatives of local authorities.

7. Finding new and innovative directions of regional integration efforts.

8. Shaping a systematic approach to create a platform for cooperation.

Preparations for serious proposals for institutional development are an

institutional platform for future cross-border cooperation. .

ІІ. Increasing competitiveness of the border area

Next range of subject Projects we have discussed concerns improvement of

competitiveness of border areas by increasing access to the region, namely the border

areas, by improving the quality and accessibility of social and economic infrastructure in

transport, security and water supply.

Roads are subject on which depends the intensity of the flow of goods as well as

tourist traffic. Potential availability of border regions to the tourism will be increased

through repair and restoration of roads. . Integrated investments in road infrastructure in

border areas are very important, because in addition to improving the standard of living

of the population, they foster the development, as well as the attractiveness of tourist

and economic areas of the border area, and, thus, have an impact on attracting

potential investors. As an example we can present projects for improving the quality of

roads within the Polish-Belarusian border. The first of these plans the repair of a road

over a length of 33 km from the Polish side, located in the Biebrza National Park and

the renovation of 11 km road on the territory of Belarus situated near Augustow

Channel. The successful implementation of this project will increase the influx of tourists

to the protected areas, thus promoting the unique sights and encouraging increased

revenues from tourism and entrepreneurship. However, at the same time, it is important

not to forget about exerting influence on the environment, and a good proof of this is

another project Development of the transport infrastructure in the area of Augustow

Channel, which provides for the placement of the new road surface, which will reduce

noise, minimize the presence of dust and, by speeding up the movement of transport,

will reduce emission of toxic substances.

There is no doubt that the projects for the development of transport infrastructure

will improve the attractiveness of the border area, but apart from that, they will have

social impact due to the fact that the population of the region and the tourists will be

able to benefit from a safe and high-quality transport infrastructure.

Outdated water supply system is one of the important factors that reduce the

living standards of the population and restricts the access of investors. In addition, the

poor condition of the water supply system affects the quality of drinking water and poses

a potential threat to residents, visitors and businesses in these cities. Implementation of

project “Clean Water at the Bug Estuary - A Cross-Border Water Supply System for

Hrubieszów and Volodymyr Volyns’kyi - Stage I and II”, which aimed to repair the

sewerage system, water supply and construction of new wastewater treatment plant, is

a good illustration of the social and economic impact on the region's inhabitants,

because it attracts tourists, which will improve the provision of tourism services.

Proposals for the development of further cooperation in the given field

1. Actively promote the implementation of the renewal and repair of roads and

transport infrastructure of modern technologies and innovative and

environmentally friendly materials.

2. Actively promote the successful results of projects concerning increasing access

to the border regions.

3. Development of a system for prioritizing the common ways to increase the

competitiveness of the border area and to present the results of the

implementation of projects as part of achieving the common strategy of

developing the competitiveness of the region (the common border areas).

4. Engage the public to observe the progress of the projects in order to obtain its

further support for the development of cross-border cooperation in order to

increase civic engagement and encourage participation in decision making and

management of the territory. Therefore, it would be reasonable to start the

organization of the strategic planning process of development of common areas

with public participation (or consider the possibility of greater participation of

citizens in the current process) in order to define a common vision for the future

establishment of an area and setting strategic goals and objectives.

ІІІ. Improving the quality of life

Undoubtedly, the main subject of the region is its population, this is where people

implement their economic interests and endeavor to meet their needs. There is no

doubt that cross-border cooperation projects will bring significant benefits to the people

living on both sides of the border, so in order to increase the competitiveness of the

border, it is worthwhile to focus attention on the level and quality of life.

Most of the projects in this sector are focused on "opening" the borders for

people, goods, services, and movement. Therefore, it is very important to improve the

efficiency of cross-border infrastructure and customs procedures and increase border

security.For example, realization of the project The reconstruction of international

automobile border crossing point (IABCR) “Ustylug”, Jagodzinski Customs Office will

enable border checks of about 7.000 people (currently - 4200 per day), at least 8

coaches (currently - 3 per day), 2.700 cars (currently - 1600 per day). Average time to

carry out customs procedures will be reduced to one hour and will improve the

effectiveness of measures to fight against smuggling.

Project concerning Construction of road border crossing at Dolhobyczow will fill

an important gap in border infrastructure, which so far has not been sufficiently

developed in the 139 km stretch of road from the Polish-Ukrainian border, and will

provide more accurate and regular division of the border crossings between Poland and

Ukraine, which is a subject of interest of both countries. Creation of the functional

module “Border crossing point filter” in the international automobile border crossing

point (IABCP) “Rava-Ruska”, providing with equipment and facilities of the border

crossing points “Krakivets”, “Shegini” and “Yagodyn” will allow the implementation of a

new technical equipment and modern methods of control of illegal traffic and

transportation between Ukraine and Poland.

However, of course, focusing on reconstruction and new border infrastructure

equipment is currently not sufficient. There should be implemented new technologies

and innovative approaches to effective and efficient implementation of control

procedures at the border (electronic environment, electronic management, transition to

"paperless" technology, implementation of modern information technologies for the

exchange of information between departments of border and customs control of both

partner countries). Modern methods of control should be aimed at improving the

management of electronic documentation, implementation of, among others, the

"common window", in which trading details and documents necessary for state control

concerning the import, export or transit, etc. are entered once in electronic form.

However, in order to introduce such innovations, modernization of the IT infrastructure

is needed. Partially and hopefully, initially these measures will be implemented through

project Development of IT Infrastructure of Ukrainian Customs and Border Guards

Services at Ukrainian – Polish Border.

Generally speaking, it can be seen that the implementation of projects aimed at

improving infrastructure at border crossings will increase the level of support for border

security, reduce illegal migration and the growth of cross-border economic activities in

the border areas, which in turn will help improve the level of employment in border

regions and quality of life. The modernization of the transport infrastructure of driveways

to the checkpoints will help reduce the risk of collisions and accidents, as well as

intensify cross-border flow of goods.

If we look in a more global way, higher level of border infrastructure development,

customs services’ labor productivity, checkpoint bandwidth improvement allow the

activation of transit of goods, implementation of mutually beneficial cross-border

economic cooperation with neighboring countries in case of handling transport and

forwarding cargo and development of intermodal transport.

New border-crossing Budomierz – Hruszew, partly financed by the Programme.

Proposals for the further cooperation development in the given field

1. Continuation of supporting projects aimed at simplifying the procedures at the

border control, customs, immigration and other types of control as factors that

significantly impact the development of cross-border cooperation.

2. Support for new projects concerning creation of logistics centers and

development of cross border trade as a tool for effective use of geographic

potential of border areas.

3. Support for new projects involving the development and implementation of

electronic system to transmit information concerning goods and means of

transport crossing the customs territory of regional partners (the issue of the

implementation of innovative forms of customs control and customs - including

the "common window" system).

4. Supporting projects concerning creation of conditions for network-based cross-

organizational exchange of business information.

In conclusion, it should be noted that examined in this study projects on regional

development and regional strategy to increase competitiveness within the limits of

cross-border cooperation Programme Poland - Belarus - Ukraine 2007-2013 are

sufficiently useful and up-to-date, and their full realization will initiate closer cooperation

in many other areas of cooperation in the border regions of Poland, Belarus and

Ukraine.

Table 1

List of projects within the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland - Belarus -

Ukraine 2007–2013 discussed in this article

Project Name in Polish Project Name in English

Czysta woda na Pobużu -

Transgraniczny System Zaopatrzenia

w wodę Hrubieszowa i Włodzimierza

Wołyńskiego – Etap Pierwszy.

Clean Water at the Bug Estuary - A

Cross-Border Water Supply System

for Hrubieszów and Volodymyr

Volyns’kyi - Stage I.

Czysta woda na Pobużu -

Transgraniczny System Zaopatrzenia

w wodę Hrubieszowa i Włodzimierza

Wołyńskiego – Etap II.

Clean water in the Pobuże region –

Water supply cross-border system for

Hrubieszów and Volodymyr-Volynskyi

– Stage II.

Rozwój infrastruktury transportowej

wokół Kanału Augustowskiego.

Development of the transport

infrastructure in the area of Augustow

Channel.

Udostępnienie obszarów cennych

turystycznie i gospodarczo – poprawa

jakości dróg pogranicza polsko –

białoruskiego.

Providing valuable areas of tourism

and economy – to improve the quality

of roads bordering the Polish-

Belarusian.

Podniesienie dostępności powiatu

bieszczadzkiego i rejonu

starosamborskiego poprzez

zintegrowane działania w zakresie

infrastruktury transportowej.

Enhancing the accessibility of

Bieszczady and Staryi Sambir

Counties by integrating the actions in

transportation infrastructure.

Budowa infrastruktury drogowego

przejścia granicznego Połowce -

Pieszczatka - Etap III (granica polsko-

białoruska) -powiat hajnowski RP -

obwód brzeski RB.

Making infrastructure of the road

frontier crossing point Polowce -

Pieszczatka– stage III (Polish-

Belarusian border) – poviat of

Hajnowka RP – Brest district RB.

Budowa drogi dojazdowej do przejścia

granicznego Budomierz – Hruszew.

The construction of the exit as part of

the construction of the road to border

crossing Budomierz – Hruszew.

Budowa i wyposażenie drogowego

przejścia granicznego Pieszczatka – 3

Etap.

Construction and instrumentation of

the road border checkpoint

"Peschatka" – stage III.

Budowa drogowego przejścia

granicznego w Dołhobyczowie – 4

budowle.

Construction of road border crossing

at Dolhobyczow – 4 buildings.

Rozbudowa i modernizacja

infrastruktury przygranicznej.

Development of modern border guard

sections infrastructure.

Stworzenie modułu funkcjonalnego

„Filtracja przejścia granicznego” na

międzynarodowym, samochodowym

przejściu granicznym Rawa Ruska,

wyposażenie przejść granicznych

„Krakowiec”, „Szeginie” i „Jagodzin”.

Creation of the functional module

“Border crossing point filter” in the

international automobile border

crossing point (IABCP) “Rava-Ruska”,

providing with equipment and facilities

of the border crossing points

“Krakivets”, “Shegini” and “Yagodyn”.

Modernizacja drogowego przejścia

granicznego Ustiług.

The reconstruction of international

automobile border crossing point

(IABCR) “Ustylug”.

Budowa systemu X-ray skanowania

dla kontroli pojazdów na przejściu

granicznym Bruzgi.

Construction of relocatable X-ray

scanning control system of vehicle on

the road checkpoint «Bruzgi».

Rozwój infrastruktury informatycznej

służb celnych i granicznych na

terytorium Ukrainy na granicy polsko –

ukraińskiej.

Development of IT Infrastructure of

Ukrainian Customs and Border Guards

Services at Ukrainian – Polish Border.

Współpraca samorządów miast

Równe i Lublin jako element rozwoju

obszaru trans granicznego.

Cooperation between Rivne and Lublin

municipalities as an element of the

development of the cross-border

region.

Series of cross-border capitalization articles

Investment in environmental protection and efficient use of natural resources.

Analysis of the cross-border cooperation projects by Alla Voytsikhovska,

National University "Lviv Polytechnic".

One of the most important topics of cross-border cooperation of neighboring

countries, such as Poland, Belarus and Ukraine are issues related to protection of the

environment in the border areas, since they create the conditions necessary for the

normal existence and development of society.

Alla Voytsikhovska at the Programme conference

Complex environmental situation, timeliness of the problems of rational use of

natural resources requires the necessary efforts of all participants, the provision of

which is the condition of the ambient air, soil, water reservoirs, intended for

expenditures on environmental protection by local authorities and regional border

areas.

The main issues to be resolved within the limits of cross-border cooperation

concerning the Programme Poland - Belarus – Ukraine: construction, reconstruction

of sewage; construction, modernization of the sewerage system; construction of

drainage systems; use of alternative fuels; renewable energy sources; proper

segregation and secondary use of waste; safe and environmentally friendly recycling;

hazardous waste disposal; equipping fire services with vehicles; technical and

specialized facilities and equipment for the liquidation of natural disasters’

consequences; special units training, especially in the case of chemical disasters.

Class of air pollution in the border areas is determined by: the degree of

pollution, position of pollution objects, size and direction of transboundary pollution

impact. This applies above all to Lublin Upland and Volyn. The main artificial sources

of air pollution include: permanent sources - industrial plants, heating plants and

mobile sources – means of transport.

Negative phenomena arise due to significant differences in the levels of

environmental protection in the border areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. These

are such as:

cross-border transport of air pollution in the Polish border areas;

significant contamination of water surface throughout the border area;

more than twice higher emission of air pollutants in the border regions of

Ukraine;

more than 10-fold difference of the expenditure related to environmental

protection in border regions.

Appropriate cooperation of neighboring countries in the field of environmental

protection helps not only to foster improvement of the environment, but also

contributes to creation of the necessary conditions for further cooperation.

Development of cross-border cooperation concerning the environmental

protection will provide:

acceleration of the integration process in the European area;

improvement of living standard in the border areas;

sustainable development and competitiveness of regions;

free movement of goods, people and capital;

the use of European experience of developed countries within the regional

development policy;

development of transport infrastructure, information and entrepreneurship;

solutions to common problems of ecology and environmental protection.

Under Priority 2 "Improving the quality of life", including project 2.1 "Protection

of the environment in the border areas", there are 13 projects implemented by

partners from Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. The main aim of the projects is

improvement of the environment in border areas, conservation and efficient use of

natural resources.

After the analysis and discussions with beneficiaries regarding the projects

which aim to protect the environment, it is worth paying attention to the deepening of

environmental education, education in general and public awareness.

An integral part of environmental education is the practical activities of every

person, aimed at environmental protection and environmental protection facilities in

the place of residence. The sense of responsibility for the environment and direct

involvement in environmental activities may become deciding factors of

environmental healing in the place of residence, work and rest, and improvement of

the global environmental situation. Such activities will be the most effective means of

environmental education - shaping the personality of unquestionable values of

humanism, morality, with a high level of aesthetic spiritual and physical development.

The increase in the number of beneficiaries and improvement of their

ecological awareness will bring positive results in the environmental sector in the

border areas. A significant segment in improving the environmental awareness of

final beneficiaries is creation of websites, preparation and publication of educational

materials and information, considerable environmental and advertising campaign.

Polish-Belarusian cooperation in the field of environmental protection is very

important at this stage of the relationship of neighboring countries. Determination of

their uniqueness and addressing environmental problems in cross-border

cooperation will have a positive impact on the environment.

At the given stage of cross-border cooperation in the field of environmental

protection there are a number of problems related to the protection of the

environment in the border areas. Their solution will depend on the implementation of

common projects and the integration of environmental financial resources of the

partner countries and the European institutions. Therefore, cooperation in the field of

environmental protection should have integrated approach to the development of

important issues:

forecasting changes in the biosphere;

improvement of methods and techniques of fighting with pollution of the

biosphere;

rational use of natural resources;

inclusion in the budget of regions and cities financial resources allocated to

environmental protection.

Recommendations for further effective cross-border cooperation in the field of

environmental protection can be divided according to the following themes: protection

of water resources, protection of atmospheric air, waste management.

The San arises in the Carpathian Mountains near the village of Sianky, exactly on the Polish-

Ukrainian border and forms the border between Poland and Ukraine for approximately its first

50 km. Photo © Adam Krzykwa

Protection of water resources

The condition of water resources protection system requires deepening of

cross-border cooperation between Poland, Belarus and Ukraine:

Water and water resources are the main natural resources that are the basis

of human life and the functioning of society and biosphere. Recovery issues,

preservation, protection and use of water resources should take the primary place

among the main elements of national and international (regional) security. Small and

large rivers at Ukrainian and Belarusian border territory are the basis for maintaining

adequate stability of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and the global water cycle. Ukraine

continues to be the European country which is the least provided with water. Over the

past 50 years, ecological reservoirs has significantly deteriorated - small and large

rivers, lakes and artificial reservoirs.

As a result of neglect and poorly planned management in the areas of rivers

and reservoir pools, water level dropped, conditions shaping the slope are commonly

affected. Water quality has deteriorated significantly. Still there are contradictions

between water demand and the possibility of its fulfillment. Despite the overall

reduction in water consumption, amount of contaminants including the specific ones

has increased. The ability of aquatic ecosystems to renew themselves constantly and

steadily decreases. At the same time, due to natural or anthropogenic causes

number of catastrophic events in the area of river valleys has increased. All this leads

to various negative impacts on the conditions of human existence (including

microclimate, access to drinking water, adequate quantity and quality of water,

damaging effects of floods, etc.), condition of aquatic ecosystems, wetlands,

biodiversity, stability of the processes occurring in the biosphere. The management of

water resources at the state level in the border areas still leaves much to be desired.

One of the main problems concerning protection of Western Bug River surface

waters is continuous discharge of untreated and under-treated sewage. This

phenomenon is caused by the use of outdated technology and unsatisfactory

condition of municipal sewage treatment in the border cities that do not provide return

water purification in accordance with the requirements of the standards. On the

territory of Ukraine in the Western Bug River pool there are over 40 municipal

sewage treatment plants. Draining of untreated municipal and industrial wastewater

to surface water reservoirs occurs due to the use of outdated wastewater treatment

technology, depreciation of sewage and drainage systems’ technical equipment, and

as a result of insufficient funding for the construction, repair and reconstruction of the

infrastructure.

Monitoring the condition of water resources and water management in border

towns is necessary to track the condition of water resources, operation of the network

of water supply and drainage of water, collection, preservation, processing, analysis,

synthesis, interpolation, transmission and use of information about the condition of

surface and groundwater zones in settled influence points, and the condition of

network operation, construction of water supply, drainage and sewage, drinking water

quality and the degree of wastewater contamination, its impact on the ecological

situation in the rivers used for sewage draining, assurance of the development of

ecological forecast of water reservoirs, justifications for the protection of water

resources systems, ways to prevent hazardous phenomena and processes,

maintaining the stability of water supply and water drainage system, rapid detection

of network failures and their rapid elimination.

There are no online monitoring stations supervising the quality of cross-border

water drains. Installing these stations will allow running systematic monitoring of

water surface quality in cross-border areas, instantly responding to cross-

contamination of water runoff and taking immediate action to eliminate

contaminations.

Recommendations for ensuring cross-border water protection resources:

1. Continued cooperation in the field of construction and reconstruction of

sewage discharging into cross-border water drains.

2. Continued cooperation concerning sewerage system construction in the

border towns.

3. Creating of cross-border water drains quality online monitoring points.

4. Development and implementation of environmentally friendly drinking water

and wastewater treatment.

5. Water surface quality monitoring in the border areas.

Two countries, one nature, common pollution problems. Photo © Adam Krzykwa

Atmospheric air protection

Condition of atmospheric air protection system requires deepening of cross-

border cooperation between Poland, Belarus and Ukraine:

Each year worldwide emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is more

than 15 billion tons of carbon monoxide, 200 million tons of hydrocarbons, more than

500 million tons of ash and 120 million tons of other impurities. The main pollutants

that are released into the atmosphere when burning a fuel are solids (ash, soot),

sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3), nitrogen oxides (NО, NО2). During incomplete

combustion of fuel in the emission of gaseous pollutants there may accumulate

carbon oxides (СО), hydrocarbons row (СН4, С2Н4) polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons, benzopyrene (С20Н12) and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). The latter

two compounds belong to a class of highly dangerous. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and

sulfur trioxide (SO3) are the main ingredients of environmental pollution during fuel

combustion. The experience of European countries prove that the investment and

development of energy efficient technologies and renewable sources of energy can

stimulate development of innovation in the countries, improve industry's

competitiveness in foreign markets, greatly reduce the impact of pollution on the

environment and residents. In addition, it will create thousands of new jobs,

especially in the regions affected by the crisis.

Coordinated policy of countries focused on reducing energy consumption,

reducing energy absorbency of the economy, intensive development of renewable

energy sources is extremely important. The strategy of the partner countries should

become the concentrated basis of the general energy savings policy. Such an

attitude gives a chance to join the leading countries in Europe and build the economy

on the principle of sustainable development.

Recommendations:

1. Monitoring of emissions to the atmosphere by major polluting companies in the

border areas.

2. The use of alternative fuels.

3. The use of renewable energy sources by municipal enterprises.

4. Implementation of environmentally friendly incineration of waste technologies

(high-temperature pyrolysis).

5. Thermal efficiency improvement of municipal business premises.

Waste management

Condition of waste management system requires deepening of cross-border

cooperation between Poland, Belarus and Ukraine

One of the most important and most urgent problems in the border areas is

production and collection of waste, the volumes are growing at a very fast pace, and

it has already far exceed the ability of safe processing, treatment and disposal in the

border areas. Collecting large amounts of residue from human activities has a

negative impact on the environment. Negative effects caused by permanent

municipal waste affect the increased incidence of disease in adults and children,

decrease in the standard of living, reduced ability to work and deterioration of the

environment and human health.

According to statistics, Ukraine processes only 3.8% of municipal solid waste.

4.2% is subjected to burning and 92% is stored. In comparison with other European

countries Ukraine occupies the last place in the management of SUW. Thus, for

example, Switzerland processes 34% of all SUW, burns 49%, 17% is compostable; in

Germany 48% is processed, 34% burned, 14% composted and only 4% utilized.

Alternative methods of using the components of municipal solid waste are very

diverse.

From one ton of municipal solid waste there can be generated 150 - 200 m3 of

biogas formed inside the dump as a result of the anaerobic decomposition of organic

waste components. 40 - 60% of the gas contains methane (СН4), the remaining part

- is carbon dioxide (СО2) with slight composition of other gases. Combustion heat

from waste dump gas is 15 - 20 MJ/m3, or 1 m3 in terms of heat generation, the

equivalent of 0.5 liters of fuel oil or 0.3 m3 of natural gas.

Problematic is the management of toxic wastes that come from state-owned

mining, petrochemical, energy companies and military-industrial complex. These are,

among others, hexachlorobenzene, chlorinated materials; persistent organic

pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls et al.), waste from nitrochlorobenzene, acid, oil,

tar and sludge waste containing heavy metals and others. Chemical hazard is

associated with the presence of objects which use hazardous chemicals with

significant pollution and accumulation of large volumes of waste. Landfills of

hazardous substances are a particular danger for society and the environment.

Due to the increasing scale of production the impact of human activities on the

environment increases. Mining and processing of ore and rock mountain from borrow

pits, which are collected on the surface of the earth, interfering with the natural

landscape, polluting the atmosphere through hard substances and gas,

contamination of water reservoirs by the water containing sludge, soil contamination

has significant impact on the environment. For every thousand tons of mineral-

extraction with underground method falls 110-150 m3 of mountain rocks collected on

the surface, for a thousand tons of enriched coal - 100-120 m3of stored mountain

rocks.

155 industrial companies operate in the area of Polish bordering voivodeships.

Every year, volume of waste in the Lublin and Subcarpathian province is about 5.3

million tons of industrial waste, 80% of which is a result of the mining operations.

Each year, about 90% of industrial waste is subjected to the process of

transformation, of which 6.3% is disposed by combustion. Lviv Oblast has the most

waste from all border regions - 8.1 million tons. In the border areas of Ukraine 1

million tons of waste resulting from the extraction of coal contaminates the

environment, this waste is located on the open face of the earth. Therefore, Polish

experience in the use of waste resulting from the extraction of coal in the form of

recycled materials is a prospective view of the cross-border cooperation scope.

Cities with high levels of industrial development are threatened by toxic

pollution industry. In recent years, a new type of dominant waste - electronic waste,

which is considered to be one of the key problems present in the waste management

sector and a significant threat to the environment, has come into being. A strategic

approach to international chemicals management classifies global problem of

electronic waste as one of four biggest issues. Collection of electronic waste is

growing rapidly due to the large scale of used electronic goods and so-called "white"

waste (household appliances - refrigerators, washing machines and microwave

ovens). Every year around 50 million tons of electronic waste is produced around the

world, most of which are highly toxic (e.g. one battery, so-called "mignon",

contaminates 400 liters of water or 20 m2 of soil). In developing countries and during

transformation period over the next five years there is a predicted three-fold increase

in the amount of electronic waste in contrast to developed countries, including the

EU, where 50 to 80% of electronic waste is subjected to disposal.

The use of effective models of municipal waste management and home

appliances, which are formed in the final stage of the life cycle of such products, is

one of the most important problems of the present time in almost all countries in the

world. An essential element of economic mechanisms and strategic programs for the

protection of the European Union environment is implementation of system of waste

management of household appliances and electronics. The development of such

mechanisms is envisaged in the legislation of the European Union and individual

countries, and their implementation in the Member States has been used in practice

for years. The lack of effective waste management systems of home appliances and

failure to use or unreasonable use of such equipment components as a secondary

raw material have negative impact on the environment regarding its contamination by

harmful ingredients.

Even now, when determining the root cause of the accumulation of electronic

waste in Ukrainian landfills instead of in the recycling companies, lack of adequate

legal space regulating the process of managing electronic waste, such as production

or import of equipment for organization of waste collection, treatment and recycling of

waste equipment and batteries, is pointed out.

The city of Lviv is getting prepared to electrical equipment waste management.

Recommendations:

1. Segregation of municipal solid waste.

2. Combustion, composting, processing, secondary use of municipal solid waste.

3. The use of waste as alternative fuels.

4. Implementation of safe disposal and disposal of hazardous waste.

5. Development and implementation of safe management of medical waste.

6. Equipping with specialized equipment and devices for selective collection of

municipal solid waste at the border regions.

7. Implementation of Polish experience within the scope of safe disposal of coal

mining in the border areas of Ukraine.

8. Construction of modern municipal solid waste landfills with double-layer water-

proofed seal, drainage and treatment of water infiltration.

9. The use of methane and biomass generated in landfills for alternative energy

sources.

10. Implementing the safe management of waste from the processing of ore

sulfur in the border areas.

11. Implementation and promotion of environmentally friendly packaging.

12. Alternative use of sludge from wastewater treatment plants.

13. Developing strategies for "turning waste management costs into product

prices."

Joint Technical Secretariat

Cross-border Cooperation Programme

Poland - Belarus - Ukraine 2007-2013

The Center of European Projects

39a Domaniewska St.

02-672 Warsaw

Tel: +48 22 378 31 00

Fax: +48 22 201 97 25

e-mail: pbu@cpe.gov.pl