13 August 2019 - First large infrastructure project starts implementation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary as Managing Authority of the Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine ENI CBC Programme 2014-2020 signed the first grant contract for implementation of a large infrastructure project awarded in the 1st Call for Proposals. The project with an EU allocation of EUR 3.71 million will be implemented from today, during 36 months by the Tisza River Basin Water Resources Directorate from Uzhhorod, in partnership with the Upper Tisza Regional Water Directorate from Nyíregyháza, Vynohradiv Interrayon Department of Water Management, Vynohradiv Rayon State Administration and the Public organisation “Ekosfera”.

The SAFETISZA project will strengthen the water management between the Zakarpattia Region and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County and reduce the risk of flood damages in the area. The main project outputs are the reconstruction of strategic water management infrastructure that has common interest for Ukraine and Hungary, and functions as cross-border flood protection system. As result of project implementation the flood risk in the area will be decreased due to reconstruction of a flood dike which will protect the settlements on the both sides of the border. It will also support the adaptation to climate changes considering more frequent and intensive floods in the region.

This cross-border cooperation and joint management of water resources will make possible effective flood mitigation measures and experience transfer from an EU to a non-EU country. The new technologies of dike crest covering will be applied on both sides of the border and up-to-date local flood protection centres will be established. The project foresees the interrelation of the flood protection activities and increase of population awareness on environmental issues, and educational activities for youth.