THE FIRST WORKSHOP HELD WITHIN THE “WATER-GUIDE” PROJECT
The Public Scientific Research Institution “Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska” organized the first workshop within the “WATER-GUIDE” project, which is being implemented under the DALIA project, with the aim of developing guidelines for the revitalisation of water bodies and strengthening dialogue on sustainable water resource management. The WATER-GUIDE project is focused on preparing comprehensive guidelines for ecological revitalisation, with a special emphasis on the Sava River Basin, through the application of best international practices and their adaptation to local and regional conditions.
The workshop was of particular importance because it represented the initial step in the process of involving relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the project. According to the project documentation, one of the key objectives of WATER-GUIDE is the active involvement of institutions, experts, local communities, and other interested parties in the preparation of the guidelines and the creation of long-term sustainable solutions for the revitalisation of aquatic ecosystems.
During the workshop, the objectives and activities of the WATER-GUIDE project were presented, and participants also had the opportunity to learn more about experiences within the DALIA project. According to the programme, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Dr. Predrag Ilić, introduced the attendees to the project, Dr. Srđan Šabić delivered a presentation on the project’s objectives and activities, while Prof. Dr. Suzana Gotovac Atlagić spoke about experiences within the DALIA project. The presentations were followed by a discussion, which further contributed to the exchange of views and the definition of the next steps in project implementation.
The particular value of this workshop lies in the fact that it was focused on knowledge exchange, stakeholder involvement, and capacity building for the future application of the guidelines, which is also one of the fundamental principles of the WATER-GUIDE project. The project foresees the organization of several workshops, public consultations, and other forms of participation in order to ensure that the guidelines are based on actual field needs and on broad consensus among relevant stakeholders.
Although the event was held in synergy with a seminar in the field of chemicals, the main focus of this activity was precisely the WATER-GUIDE project and the opening of a broader dialogue on the revitalisation of water bodies. In the welcoming address given during the integrated event, it was emphasized that WATER-GUIDE opens space for discussion on the sustainable revitalisation of water bodies, through the development of guidelines based on best international practices and their adaptation to the local context. At the same time, it was highlighted that this project does not view water protection merely as a technical issue, but as a shared social responsibility that requires cooperation, knowledge exchange, and a long-term vision.
The WATER-GUIDE project, within the DALIA initiative, is based on an approach that includes the organization of workshops, public participation, the development of practical guidelines, and the dissemination of knowledge to both the professional community and the wider public. For this reason, this first workshop represents an important step toward creating the foundation for future activities, cooperation with different stakeholders, and the preparation of high-quality guidelines for ecological recovery and sustainable management of water bodies in our region.