Wetland restoration – Velka Krcava and Zitavsky luh (Acronym: 2WetRest)

„Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe“

PROJECT NAME: “Wetland restoration – Velka Krcava and Zitavsky luh”

PROJECT CODE: ACC04P04

PROGRAMME: „Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change“ co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014 – 2021 and the State Budget of the Slovak Republic

CALL NAME: „Restoration of degraded wetland ecosystems“ (ClimaLocal)

PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATOR: Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic

BENEFICIARY: SLOVENSKÝ VODOHOSPODÁRSKY PODNIK, štátny podnik

PROJECT PARTNER: Slovenská ornitologická spoločnosť/BirdLife Slovakia, a civic association

TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROJECT GRANT: 999 670 EUR

PROJECT OBJECTIVE: The objective of the project is the restoration of two important wetlands in two locations in southern Slovakia, which have been degraded as a result of water management in the past and the overall change of the landscape and its use. The wetlands in question have great potential and importance in terms of water retention in the landscape, protection against drought and biodiversity conservation, but are currently threatened by land degradation, overgrowth and drying out. The project will implement technical measures that will create conditions for the irrigation and retention of water in the wetlands, especially during periods of sufficient flows in the watercourses. Another focus of the project is to create lateral connectivity of the wetlands and to prevent runoff of water intercepted by the wetlands. The overall design and implementation of all parts of the revitalisation represents a comprehensive approach to revitalising the areas and includes all elements and current challenges of biodiversity conservation, improving the favourable condition of NATURA2000 sites and ensuring water retention in the landscape in the context of the challenges posed by climate change.

Norway Grants represent Norway’s contribution to a green, competitive and inclusive Europe. Through the Norway Grants, Norway contributes to reducing economic and social disparities and to strengthening mutual relations with beneficiary countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea Region. Norway cooperates closely with the EU through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Together with other donors, Norway provided EUR 3.3 billion through grant schemes between 1994 and 2014.

Norway grants are funded exclusively by Norway and are available in countries that joined the EU after 2003. For the period 2014-2021, Norway Grants amount to EUR 1.25 billion.

The programming period priorities are:

#1 Innovation, research, education and competitiveness

#2 Social inclusion, youth employment and poverty eradication

#3 Environment, energy, climate change and low carbon economy

#4 Culture, civil society, good governance and fundamental rights

#5 Justice and home affairs
All projects are 15% co-financed by the state budget of the Slovak Republic.

To find out more about programmes and projects funded by Norway Grants in Slovakia, please visit www.norwaygrants.sk

The project “Wetland restoration – Velka Krcava and Zitavsky luh” received a grant from Norway in the amount of 849 719,5 €. The project is co-financed in the amount of € 149 950,5 by the state budget of the Slovak Republic. The primary objective of the project is the restoration of two important wetlands in two locations in southern Slovakia.

Expected Project results/outputs:

– 155 ha of restored wetlands in 2 wetland ecosystems (70 ha in Velka Krcava lake, 85 ha in Zitavsky luh)

– water management infrastructure constructed (2 water sluices/gates constructed, 1 water sluice reconstructed, 1 flow diversion structure, 1 dike repaired, 3000 m of water channel reconstructed;

– 2 manipulation regulations elaborated and approved

– 2 wetland habitat and species monitoring reports elaborated

– 2 information billboards installed by the project sites

Opening event – press conference

Monitoring report_Zitavsky luh

Monitoring report_Velka Krcava

World Wetlands Day – press conference, interim

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