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Cooperation between the Bełżec commune and Belz town

Cooperation between the Bełżec commune and Belz town

18.06.2025

In addition to their similar names, located on two sides of the Polish-Ukrainian border, Bełżec (PL) and Belz (UA) also share similar challenges. A sewerage network is nowadays a standard to which everyone should have access and this is also one of the areas supported by the PL-UA Programme. Within both partners, the sewerage and water supply network is incomplete, in addition, there are cases of illegal sewage disposal and the discharge of waste outside the designated areas. All this further aggravates the condition of soils and waters, including the Sołokija (UA) and Krynica Bełżecka (PL) rivers flowing through the project area. Krynica Bełżecka is a right tributary of Sołokija, which in turn flows into the transboundary Bug River. This generates, among other things, a risk of epidemic threats and definitely reduces the quality of life of the inhabitants of these border areas. Partners decided to join forces and face these problems by implementing a joint project entitled ‘Improvement of natural environment’s quality in the border area in the Belzec Municipality and the Town Council of Belz’ (acronym: SewageLink).

On 16th May, one of the two conferences launching the project took place in Belz (UA). During the event, representatives of the partners emphasised the role played by international cooperation in the implementation of joint projects and the importance of cross-border projects for the development of the region and the strengthening of ties between communities on both sides.

Where history begins – the future is born

Oksana Bereza – Mayor of the City of Belz

A similar event also inaugurating the project took place a week later, on 23rd May, in Tomaszów Lubelski (PL). Not only the people involved in the project, but also the residents themselves shared their experiences.

We are happy that in our district the local authorities are cooperating with the local authorities of our neighbours, here in Belz, Ukraine, and that such projects to improve the quality of life are being implemented, and as residents we are grateful for this investment

Aleksandra Wołoszyn-Banaś – councillor in the Tomaszów Lubelski district

The project is very good because it really improves the lives of the inhabitants, these basic needs. If the effect of this project is the construction of a modern treatment plant in Brzeziny, in a village which is deprived of this and the construction of a sewage system (…) it is a completely new opening for the inhabitants in terms of quality of life’

Tomasz Zieliński – deputy to the Polish parliament

The project involves the construction of a sanitary sewerage network (approximately 3.7 km long) and 2 sewage treatment plants – in Brzeziny (PL) and Belz (UA). About 540 people will be connected to the network (PL – 290, UA – 250). Promotional activities include: information and promotional meetings inaugurating the project in Belz and Bełżec, 2 study visits in Ukraine and Poland, an international scientific and information conference ‘Ecology and environmental policy of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland. Objectives, methods of implementation and examples of good practice’ in Bełżec (PL). In addition, an international scientific and practical conference ‘European integration and environmental policy’ will be organised. At the end of the project, the partners have planned a campaign in the local and regional media. It is planned that 175 people will take part in joint cross-border activities.

The total budget of the project is more than 2.7 MEUR, of which 2.4 MEUR will be financed by the PL-UA Programme.

More information about the project HERE.