PBU project interviews

Roztocze – a multicultural area shared by Poland and Ukraine - possesses its unique geography and nature as well as valuable biodiversity. The beneficiaries of the PLUARoztocze project have created new elements of cycling infrastructure of the Roztocze in a linear configuration to new geotouristic information centres located on the route. The main investment was the building and upgrading of a 327 km cross-border cycle route on which wooden sheds, information boards, and cyclists' service points were built.

The route involves the most valuable natural and cultural objects of the region. In addition, the environmental degradation has been reduced in the area and the awareness of nature protection has been raised within local communities. For that purpose, Yavorivskyi National Natural Park (YNNP) has created a Centre of Ecological Education YNNP in Vereshchytsia (UA). A similar Geotourist Centre was built and equipped in Lipsko-Polesie (PL). Both centres have become educational base, place of nature and culture exhibitions with space for meetings of youth and folklore groups as well as tourist information points. Informational and tourist publications on natural heritage were also prepared and distributed.

The PLUARoztocze project is dedicated to the inhabitants of Lubelskie Voivodeship and Lviv Oblast, tourists and finally cyclists visiting the area on both sides of the border. Project partners want to increase their awareness of the activities, improving tourist infrastructure and potential of the Roztocze. Common promotion and preservation of the existing natural heritage of both neighbouring countries enhances the local audience to visit this beautiful region.

Stray animals may transmit several infectious diseases as they come into contact with humans and wild animals. The regions of Vynohradiv (UA) and Rzeszów (PL) have struggled with this problem – insufficient control and immunization, poor equipment base and finally irresponsible attitude of the owners of the animals. Sterilization and vaccination are main preventive methods to control stray animals’ population.

To reduce epidemiological risk the CBC4animals project partners decided to introduce joint preventing activities. The project has carried the treatment, chipping, vaccination, sterilization of 100 stray animals in Vynohradiv and 100 in Rzeszów as well as chipping 900 of them in Rzeszów. Furthermore, the Animal Protection Organization in Rzeszów has modernized the hall with kennels including installation of heated floors and the replacement of metal grids by glass walls. On the Ukrainian side the Animal Control Centre has been created in Vynohradiv with units of: Veterinary Service, Catching of Animals Service and Waste Utilization Station. There is a space to accommodate animals, quarantine zone, animal walking zone, crematorium. Both centres have also been equipped with specialized medical devices (laparoscope, endoscope, X-ray and USG machines, operating tables, blood testing machine and many others) as well as specialized transporting cars. Moreover, there was the exchange of surgery experience and other professional skills between the staff of the Ukrainian and Polish entities. Both partners conducted a set of educational activities on handling with stray animals as well.

The main project benefit for the border area of Poland and Ukraine was the creation of conditions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among local residents. The control of the stray animals’ population and their immunization significantly decreased the direct epidemiological threat. The exchange of experience between the partners and educational campaign improved the level of services and possibility of finding owners for homeless animals.

The BugUnitesUs projects' partners decided to create new conditions and perspectives of the Bug River and its surroundings. Two new water trails have been offered to the visitors along this river, together with proper signage, information points and almost 40 resting spots along. First kayak trail leads from Verkhobuzh (UA) to Wyszków in Poland (ca. 700 km), another one from Bielin to Brest in Belarus, along the Dniepro-Bug Canal and Muchaviec River (ca. 100 km). Moreover, three Centres of Kayak Tourism have been created in Sokal (UA), Bielin (BY) and Drohiczyn (PL) promoting natural heritage and kayak tourism in the area. Visitors are able to rent kayaks and necessary equipment free of charge, choose the most suitable kayak in an outdoor pool, attend kayak workshops and shows. Additionally, the Centre in Drohiczyn has created a museum of kayaking and a unique kayak simulator for young, elderly or disabled visitors, where they could try themselves in a dry environment. All centers are equipped with portable electronic translation devices for foreign tourists.

The BugUnitesUs project has improved the touristic infrastructure supporting the local potential and economic growth. What is not less important, the partners have strengthen the cooperation and exchange experiences together solving common problems. The new kayak trails enable the nature-loving people to discover the untouched beauty of the Bug River on the cross-border area.

In the scope of the project, both hospitals from Ostrołęka (PL) and Lviv (UA) purchased equipment for laparoscopic surgery for gynecologists, urologists and surgeons units. This kind of treatment replacing the traditional, invasive one will enable faster recovery of patients and shorter waiting time. Moreover, the modernization of the operation theatre and conference hall in Lviv hospital was carried out. In order to exchange modern medical knowledge by doctors working in the both hospitals, partners have opened the Telemedical Centre in Lviv, where laparoscopy trainings and other workshops are provided. What is important, it is now possible to conduct the transmissions from the operating room. Finally, pro-health actions were carried to raise people's awareness of factors impacting human health.

Thanks to project activities, twice as many surgeries as currently can be offered to the patients. Retrofitting the hospitals with modern laparoscopic devices affects the safety and efficiency of services and reduces the waiting time for surgical procedures. Due to creation of Telemedical Centre in Lviv, new generations of educated surgeons can render surgical services in the Polish-Ukrainian borderland for many years after the project completion.

Broadcast on a regional radio station promoting the effects of the BugGuardians project in the Polish Programme area.

Broadcast on a regional radio station promoting the effects of the PLUARoztocze project in the Polish Programme area.

Broadcast on a regional radio station promoting the effects of the SOSRescue project in the Polish Programme area.

Broadcast on a regional radio station promoting the effects of the ICTCompet project in the Polish Programme area.