We invite you to participate in an online conference on April 16, 2026 – „Application of NBS to Ease Agricultural Impact on Water Resources in the Face of Climate Change” – the launch of the LIFE Riverease project. This will be an excellent opportunity to understand better the challenges related to the impacts of climate change in rural Europe.
Thanks to the participation of experts and practitioners from Poland, Denmark, and Germany – co-beneficiaries of the RIVEREASE project – as well as representatives of other LIFE projects related to agriculture and water – we will explore challenges and possible solutions from different perspectives. There will be good practices for applying nature-based solutions in rural areas, an in-depth discussion on river basin management, IT support, and an exchange of experiences among experts involved in testing effective management and technical measures.
Take part in the conference – use this link to enter!
Who is it for?
The event is primarily aimed at those involved in river basin management and adapting agricultural land to climate change in Poland, the European Union, and associated countries. This includes, in particular:
- representatives of public institutions, academic communities, NGOs, and businesses from Poland and abroad involved in sustainable agriculture, nature conservation, water management, climate change adaptation, etc.;
- representatives of agricultural advisory centres, land managers in agricultural areas, and farmers;
- representatives of local governments in agricultural areas facing similar challenges related to climate change;
- representatives of other LIFE projects with similar themes.
What’s in the program?
The conference consists of two parts. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CET, we invite you to the plenary session, which we will broadcast live from the studio in Poddebice. In this part, moderated by Karolina Maliszewska (Sendzimir Foundation), we will begin by defining the challenges related to climate change in agricultural areas in Europe and show how the LIFE Riverease project plans to respond to these challenges. We will also discuss barriers and best practices in river basin management, which is an important strategy for adapting to climate change.
After the break, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM CET, we invite you to a two-hour online workshop, which will be held simultaneously in smaller groups. There will be space for discussion, exchange of experiences, and sharing of your own best practices.
The conference program is as follows:
Plenary (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
10:00-10:20: Official opening of the conference by Piotr Sęczkowski, Mayor of the Poddębice Commune (LIFE Riverease Project Leader), and representative of the grantees, Director Andrzej Muter (National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management)
10:20-11:25: What climate change related challenges are occurring in agricultural areas in Poland and the European Union?
Iwona Wagner, PhD (FPP Enviro), will discuss observed and projected climate change in Europe, as well as its primary and secondary consequences for agriculture. Primary effects include, among others: Increasing droughts, soil degradation, declining water retention, deteriorating water quality, and biodiversity loss. Secondary consequences include growing uncertainty in agricultural production and challenges related to adaptation and potential maladaptation in the agricultural sector.
This presentation will serve as an introduction to a panel discussion on the key challenges facing agriculture in the face of climate change, moderated by Tomasz Jurczak, PhD (UNESCO Chair of Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, University of Lodz). We have invited Agnieszka Bednarek, PhD (University of Lodz), Mariusz Merta, PhD (Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH, Germany), and Łukasz Nowacki (Transformacja Foundation).
11:25-11:55 How does the LIFE Riverease project plan to address the identified challenges?
This part of the conference will be dedicated to presenting our plans, what we intend to achieve through the LIFE Riverease project, and how we will share knowledge:
- Karolina Szarkowska (FPP Enviro) will present the project’s goals and objectives.
- Emilia Skłucka (FPP Enviro) will present the concept of an integrated decision support system that will support the management of agricultural catchments in the time of climate change as part of the LIFE RIVEREASE project. She will demonstrate how integrating spatial, hydrological, and environmental data with analytical tools and modelling will enable the planning of adaptation measures, the assessment of their effectiveness, and data-driven decision-making. She will emphasise the role of technology as a tool that supports, rather than replaces, decision-making processes.
- Agnieszka Bednarek, PhD (University of Lodz) will discuss the role of NBS solutions and renaturalization measures proposed in the project in catchment management to support the adaptation of agricultural areas to changing climate conditions. She will also discuss how nature-based solutions will contribute to better stormwater retention in the catchment, counteract the effects of drought, and improve biodiversity.
- Grzegorz Plewiński (Poddębice Municipality) will present the conceptual framework for the Educational Demonstration Park, which we plan to implement in Poddębice as part of the project.
- Karolina Maliszewska (Sendzimir Foundation) will discuss stakeholder engagement in the management of the demonstration area and present planned educational and dissemination activities, which will be available to various audiences.
- Lars Briggs, PhD (Amphi International APS, Denmark) and Mariusz Merta, Phd (Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH, Germany) will discuss replication activities planned for catchments in Denmark and in Germany.
11:55-12:00 Break
12:00-13:00 Why is it impossible to effectively adapt agriculture to climate change without river basin management?
The panel discussion, moderated by Emilia Skłucka (FPP Enviro), will focus on the role of river basin management as a key framework for effectively adapting agriculture to climate change.
The following speakers will participate: Wojciech Frątczak, PhD (Institute of Technology and Life Sciences – National Research Institute), Tomasz Jurczak, PhD (University of Lodz), Włodzimierz Lewandowski (Lodz Agricultural Advisory Centre), and Marzenna Rasmussen (Amphi International APS).
Experts will discuss the limitations of a sectoral approach to water management, the consequences of climate change for agricultural areas, and the need for river basin-wide planning. The discussion will combine scientific, advisory, and implementation perspectives, demonstrating how interinstitutional cooperation can translate into real support for farmers and more effective implementation of adaptation measures.
1:00-1:30 Break
Workshops (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
In the afternoon, we invite you to participate in one of three workshops, which you can choose from in the registration form.
These workshops will allow us to share our experience, knowledge, and best practices more interactively and to deepen the discussion on selected topics. One of the workshops will be conducted in English, the other two in Polish – no translation is planned for the workshops.
Workshop 1. LIFE Riverease in dialogue with other LIFE projects (in English)
Moderators: Alfred Figueras (Amphi International APS, Denmark), Lars Briggs, PhD (Amphi International APS, Denmark)
This interactive workshop will bring together representatives of other relevant LIFE projects working in the fields of water management, biodiversity, and agriculture. The session aims to exchange knowledge on ongoing activities, identify complementarities, and explore concrete opportunities for collaboration. Through structured discussion, participants will reflect on potential joint events, communication synergies, and knowledge-sharing actions. The outcomes will help strengthen cooperation between projects and enhance the overall impact of LIFE initiatives at the European level.
Workshop 2. Best Practices for Combating the Impacts of Climate Change in Agricultural Areas in Europe (in Polish)
Moderators: Agnieszka Bednarek, PhD (University of Lodz), Iwona Wagner, PhD (FPP Enviro)
During this workshop, project partners will exchange experiences regarding water management in agricultural areas using nature-based solutions (NBS) – at both the strategic and technical levels. The meeting will provide an opportunity to identify best practices from various European countries and inspire planning study visits and testing new adaptation solutions.
Workshop 3. User Needs and Challenges in Using Modern Technologies for Adapting Agricultural Areas (in Polish)
Moderators: Mariusz Merta (Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH, Germany), Emilia Skłucka (FPP Enviro)
This workshop will focus on exchanging experiences and identifying needs related to the use of modern technologies in adapting agriculture to climate and environmental challenges. Participants will jointly identify currently used solutions, their limitations, and information gaps hindering effective planning and management of river basin-scale activities. The conclusions from the discussion will serve as an important reference point for further project activities.
Organizational Information
The conference will be held online using the Zoom platform. Those interested in participating are invited to complete the registration form. Participation is free.
Take part in the conference – use this link to enter!
The conference is organised as part of the LIFE Riverease project, which is co-financed by the LIFE Programme – the EU fund for the environment, climate and energy, which supports the most ambitious and innovative environmental initiatives in Europe – and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, CINEA or National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. Neither the European Union nor the granting authorities can be held responsible for them.
Do you have any questions about the conference? Contact us at: magdalena.niezabitowska-krogulec@sendzimir.org.pl
