Big Project progress - seen from High above

The fourth partner meeting for our Interreg project URBforDAN was held in Ivano-Frankivsk, in the western Ukraine. Three very creative, productive and funny days on project presentations, discussions and workgroups for our project goal, the Management and Utilization of Urban Forests as Natural Heritage in Danube Cities.

Ivano-Frankivsk as a great host 

On the evening of the day before the start of the Meeting, traditionally a guided tour around the city of Ivano-Frankivsk was organized with approximately 20 participants. The next day the Vice Mayor of the City of Ivano-Frankivsk, Bohdan Bilyk, warmly welcomed the participants and stressed out the importance that transnational projects have for the City of Ivano-Frankivsk. Uliana Sydor (picture) and Ihor Popadyuk from the City of Ivano-Frankivsk welcomed the participants as hosts.

Review and outlook on all work packages

Luka Sešel from the City of Ljubljana and the URBforDAN project leader presented the project progress, that was achieved in the first year. All the others work package leader followed up presenting their progress, i.e. on stakeholder cooperation, the collection of data for the seven pilot areas, the preparation of integrated multi-use Management Plans for the forests or on internal and external communication.

A visit from Joint Secretary Budapest

This partner meeting also had a special additional guest, Ms. Simone Ene from the Joint Secretary in Budapest. She welcomed all participants and stressed out the importance of the review for the partnership and future work. After meeting day 2 Simona Ene commented, that she sees a very well-functioning partnership of a good project and she also complimented the presentations from all project partners.

And a field trip with higer goals

Highlight of the meeting was the field trip on Vovchynets Hills, the project area of the partner in Ivano-Frankivsk. All partner got acquainted with the area and its characteristics. And for the first time photos of the area and the participants were taken from high above by a drone. The area is managed by the state enterprise “Ivano-Frankivsk Forestry”. Three main strategic priorities that are reflected in the plan are: preserve nature on the strategic area, ensure multifunctional use of the area and to assure safety and coexistence of all users.