On December 20, 2023, in the online format, the NGO "Primavera" held an interactive seminar and training within the framework of the project "Development of capacity for the creation of WUO for water resources management for sustainable agricultural production in the Volyn region." The project is implemented under the support of the  Government of the Netherlands.

The objective of the interactive seminar was to discuss with stakeholders at the local level several tasks related to the creation of WUO within the framework of the functioning of the Krychevychivska drainage system, which is a pilot in the project and is located in the Kolodyazhe territorial community of the Volyn region.

The participants discussed possible models and stages of creating water user organizations within the framework of the functioning of the drainage system, which has a multifunctional purpose (water regulation on agricultural lands for the cultivation of agricultural products, drainage for the protection of settlements during floods and maintaining a favorable water regime in the adjacent forest areas). The assessment of the necessity and directions of improvement of the existing legislation regarding the creation of WUO on multifunctional drainage systems was also debated.

One of the important results of the workshop was the development of a project roadmap for the implementation of the most acceptable model of WUO for the conditions of the pilot area. This model was chosen by the participants based on the discussion in working groups.

After the seminar, the experts of the NGO Primavera held a training session on the topic "Innovative approaches to the water resources management on drainage systems for agricultural production and reaching compromises regarding the preservation of biodiversity and local water resources use." 

During the training, participants were provided with information on the application of principles and methods of sustainable water and land resources management within the framework of drainage systems, soil water regime management for agricultural production on drainage systems of dual regulation, modern methods of monitoring and water resources management on reclaimed lands, taking into account the conservation of local water resources, wetlands, and biodiversity.

In total, more than 20 participants took part in the online meetings of the project, including the representatives of government organizations and international projects, representatives of the pilot area, and experts from the NGO Primavera.