An important environmental technical assistance project funded by the European Union has been launched under the Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine Programme 2021–2027: ‘Protecting the biodiversity of cross-border areas in Ukraine and Poland from invasive populations of hogweed (Heracleum)’
Project beneficiaries:
Lead partner: Lviv Agrarian Chamber;
Partners:
Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after S. Z. Gzhytskyi,
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University;
University of Life Sciences in Lublin;
Lublin Chamber of Agriculture.
Project objective:
The main objective of the project is to take joint action to prevent risks and build resilience to local threats posed by human activity, part of which involves invasive species, including Sosnowski’s hogweed.
Project objectives:
The specific objectives of the project are to assess the distribution, genetic and biochemical diversity, as well as to control and monitor invasive populations of Sosnowski’s hogweed in the border areas of Poland and Ukraine.
The practical objectives of the project are to test and implement effective measures to combat invasive hogweed, prevent its spread, and restore habitats in the context of biodiversity in the cross-border territories of Ukraine and Poland.
Project tasks:
– Identification, development of a digital map and a mobile app for monitoring populations of Sosnowski’s hogweed in Ukraine and Poland;
-Assessing methods for the eradication of hogweed and the control of its spread (reduction);
– Strengthening the technical capacity of scientific laboratories and target communities and their municipal enterprises in the fight against hogweed;
– Mechanical eradication and partial renaturalisation of the territory in 9 target communities in Ukraine;
-Organisation and delivery of thematic awareness-raising and educational events and conferences;
Project duration: 2 years – from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2027
Estimated project cost:
Total project budget: €1,676,036.47, including:
– EU grant: €1,508,432.82
– Partners’ contributions: €167,603.65
Total project budget for Ukraine: €889,463.87, of which: EU grant for Ukraine – €800,517.48; contributions from Ukrainian partners – €88,946.39.
Target communities in Ukraine:
Kozivska, Skolivska, Slavska, Borynska, Starosambirska, Strilkivska, Turkivska, Khyrivska, Skhidnytska;
Target communities in Poland:
Lublin Voivodeship: the municipalities of Tyshovce, Belzec, Yarchuv, Krynice, Lubicha Królewska, Laszchuv, Rakhani, Susec, Tarnavatka, Telatin, Tomaszuv Lubelski, Ulgovek, Długobyczów, Horodło, Hrubieszów, Mircze, Trzeszczany, Uchanie, Werbkowice, Zamość, Łabunie, Męczyń, Końskowola, Lublin and Fajsławice; Podkarpackie Voivodeship: the municipalities of Ustrzyki Dolne, Bircza and Bukowsko; Podlaskie Voivodeship: the municipalities of Piątnica and Rutki;
Source: Lviv Agricultural Chamber