Projects and Activities

Since 2005 we have realized multiple projects and activities in different areas of sustainability. We have an unrivaled experience in developing and applying innovative tools for science-policy integration, knowledge brokering, and stakeholder engagement, as well as interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral projects and research.

This experience has been gained via the EU Framework Projects (Horizon 2020, 7th and 6th FPs), subcontracts for National Science Foundation and International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, collaboration with European Forum Alpbach, European Commision, African Development Bank, OECD, and the Balaton Group, and in many other solution-oriented projects.

Contact us to discuss the possibilities of collaboration

 

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2024 – 2026 


Funding:
Horizon EU

MultiFutures explores and assesses the viability for Europe of various economic paradigms beyond growth, such as Degrowth, Doughnut Economics, and Sufficiency Economics. By analyzing these paradigms’ assumptions about human behaviour, it seeks to identify new policy goals and mechanisms to achieve a post-growth future. This requires innovative measures to bridge theory and practice, evaluating their impact on different dimensions such as social, economic, environmental, and political aspects. Ultimately, it aims to understand the feasibility and acceptance of transitioning to alternative futures for building a climate-neutral, just, and resilient society.

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NetZeroCities

2021 – 


Funding:
Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme

NetZeroCities plays a key role in the EU’s Mission of “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”. It is a driving force behind cities’ efforts to develop carbon-neutral strategies, improve their capacity for systemic change through innovation, provide a platform for key services and expertise, and accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality. In addition, NetZeroCities aims to support cities in overcoming structural, institutional and cultural barriers to the adoption of low-carbon lifestyles.

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PLUS Change

2022 – 2027


Funding: 
Horizon Europe

PLUS Change aims to develop strategies and decision-making processes for land use that effectively address challenges related to climate change, biodiversity, and human well-being. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and examining case studies from various regions in Europe, the project emphasizes the interconnectedness between urban, regional, and peri-urban areas.

The Centre for Systems Solutions is among 23 partners included in the PLUS Change project. We have been chosen for the design and development of social simulations within the project.

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2022 – 2026

Funding: Horizon 2020

The PARATUS project aims to develop an open-source platform for dynamic risk assessment that allows the analysis and evaluation of multi-hazard impact chains, risk reduction measures, and disaster response scenarios in the light of systemic vulnerabilities and uncertainties.

The Centre for Systems Solutions is among 19 partners included in the PARATUS project. We have been chosen for the design and development of social simulations within the project.

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CASCADES

Partners: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, SEI, SYKE, CMCC, ETH, University of York, and others

Funding: Horizon 2020

CASCADES identifies how the risks of climate change to countries, economies, and peoples outside Europe might cascade into Europe. It does so by analyzing how these risks interact with major challenges facing European societies. We are working with a diverse range of stakeholders – both within and outside Europe – to address these risks from a multitude of approaches.

Centre for Systems Solutions leads the stakeholder involvement process and is responsible for developing the Strategic Simulation and the CASCADES multiplayer serious game.

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Up to You!

Partners: Austrian Foundation for Development Research, Rogers Foundation for Person-Centred Education, Vienna University Children’s Office

Funding: Erasmus +

In the project Making Europe’s Future Sustainable! A simulation-based learning program for schools, a comprehensive game-based learning and teaching program on sustainable development for cross-curricular education in secondary schools will be developed.

In the project, we are responsible for developing an online multiplayer simulation Up to You!

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2022 – 2024

Partners: Common Thing Foundation, Stanisław Brzozowski Association, Phronesis SA

Funding: EEA grant

The context of the Education to citizenship project is the need to develop and consolidate civic education tools for adults. To meet these expectations, the Common Thing Foundation and its partners will create a range of attractive tools for adult civic education.

We will take the lead in developing an innovative educational game (social simulation).

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RURITAGE: Rural regeneration through systemic heritage-led strategies

Partners: University of Bologna, Consulta Europa, ICLEI, UNESCO, TECNALIA, CARTIF, Polytechnic University of Turin, and others

Funding: Horizon 2020

The project aims at setting a new heritage-led rural regeneration paradigm in order to turn selected rural areas into sustainable development demonstration laboratories through the enhancement of their unique cultural and natural heritage potential.

We will be responsible for the design and development of social simulations within the project. The developed tools are expected to reveal already tested solutions that proved effective in selected role model sites. They will be further collaboratively elaborated on to discover possible implementation strategies that could be applied in the specific areas.

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2020 – 2022

Partners: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, Brandenburg University of Technology, and others

Funding: EIT CLimate-KIC

REBOOST project aims to support stakeholders in three European lignite regions (Lusatia in Germany, Konin in Poland, and Gorj in Romania) in the transition from the current high economic dependence on lignite to a low-carbon future. The three regions share some characteristics that make the transition process difficult, including the economic downturn, aging populations, lack of job opportunities, and weak stakeholder cooperation.

Centre for Systems Solutions will design for each case study a policy simulation. The main goal of the simulations will be to involve and empower local stakeholders in the design and exploration of alternative future pathways.

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Partners: Climate-KIC, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Dark Matter Labs, and more

Funding: EIT Climate-KIC

The Long-Termism project is focused on the transformation of mindsets and the establishment of mechanisms to enable shifting towards long-term thinking to facilitate sustainable behaviours and investments into sustainability.

The Centre for Systems Solutions is responsible for developing and running social simulations events to make the long-term approach a common practice.

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Climate-KIC

Partners: adelphi, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Switzerland

Cascading Climate Impacts simulation session during the training for young Swiss diplomats organized by adelphi for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland. 

The Centre for Systems Solutions modified the contents of the Cascading Climate Impacts to bring forward the topics that were critical to our partners. We also highlighted the Swiss perspective on the included issues.

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Climate-KIC

2020

Partners: Cyprus University of Technology

Funding: EIT Climate-KIC

The Journey’s unique education format is designed to support graduates in forming the Knowledge Innovation Community with the base knowledge needed to be system innovators, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs.

The Centre for Systems Solutions is responsible for delivering a workshop using The World’s Future social simulation.

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Climate-KIC

Partners: Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus Energy Agency

Funding: EIT Climate-KIC

The program, initiated and funded by the EIT Climate-KIC, aims to foster a systemic view on current climate challenges and empower young people to develop innovative solutions through Problem-based Learning (PBL) experiences.

As part of the project, the New Shores simulation developed by the Centre for Systems Solutions is being translated to Greek and used as a basis for Problem-Based Learning on sustainability and civic responsibility among youth.

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Climate-KIC

Partners: Climate-KIC, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Dark Matter Labs, and more

Funding: EIT Climate-KIC

The Long-Termism project is focused on the transformation of mindsets and the establishment of mechanisms to enable shifting towards long-term thinking to facilitate sustainable behaviours and investments into sustainability.

The Centre for Systems Solutions is responsible for developing an online Policy Simulation prototype as a platform for creative experimentation around systemic levers.

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Climate-KIC

Partners: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre

Funding: EIT Climate-KIC

Forging Resilient Regions is an EIT Climate-KIC funded project that supports European regions on their pathways towards a net-zero emission and climate-resilient future.

Centre for Systems Solutions is one of the cross-cutting partners and cooperates with the regional governments and city authorities of Andalusia (Spain), Nouvelle Aquitaine (France), the Dolomites (Italy), and Glasgow (UK) on forging resilience of these regions.

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Partners: University of Macedonia, Hellenic Institute of Transport/Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Ergo Ludo Editions, Systems Dynamics Italian Chapter, Society for Responsible Consumption Romania

Funding: Erasmus+

The project aims to commence and promote sustainable literacy among students of higher education (and young people in general) through an innovative and student-centered educational program.

We are responsible for the design of a game that will be further developed and included in the university course by project partners.

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Climate-KIC

Partners: Climate-KIC

Funding: Climate-KIC

This intensive three-day online course is targeted at trainers, educators, academics, business owners, NGOs, public administration managers and scientists, willing to adopt an innovative game-based approach to communication about climate change and the transition to a sustainable economy.

Via various blended learning methods, participants will gain practical knowledge and skills how to set up and engage their audience in a transformative learning experience, using The World’s Future Online social simulation.

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This workshop is dedicated to scholars, researchers, students, and practitioners who are interested in natural and social sciences and sustainable management.

The two-day workshop will be held in English and centered around the following topics; Systems Thinking (Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) dynamics), Resilience and Adaptive Management.

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2017-2019

Nauru Game for Active Citizenship of Youth

Partners: Tandem n.o., Rogers Foundation for Person-Centred Education

Funding: Erasmus+

The project aims to shape the citizenship attitude and increase the awareness of social participation, sustainable development and climate change among young Europeans.

We coordinate the project and develop a multiplayer online game New Shores that enables players to face both societal and environmental challenges. In collaboration with partners, we are also developing a game-based workshop scenario and prepare three train-the-trainer workshops for 300 educators from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.

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susfish+

Partners: APPEAR, BOKU, University of Vienna, and others

Funding: Austrian Development Cooperation, OEAD, APPEAR

The main goal of the project was to produce reliable knowledge and improve policies, management, research and education in the field of fisheries. The project focused on the Nakambe (White Volta) basin in Burkina Faso, which faces important development and environmental challenges.

The Centre for Systems Solutions was tasked with designing and facilitating the Nakambe basin strategic simulation, which would further engage stakeholders in the process of identifying the water- and fish sector-related issues in Burkina Faso

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Partners: The Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change and International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Funding: Austrian Climate Research Program (ACRP)

The main objective of the project was to analyze the existing policy implementation gaps in Austria’s Climate and Energy Models (CEMs) program.

The analysis was carried out from three different angles and aimed to further accelerate Austria’s transition to a low-carbon future. 

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Partners:International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Funding: Internal international Institute for Applied Systems Solutions project

Project addressed the question how equity and fairness in resource use can be obtained through creation and use of the rules.

The research in this project used adapted version of the Forest Game created by Centre for Systems Solutions for the purpose of the behavioral experiments. 

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The World's Future logo

Partners: International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The World’s Future is an experimental playground for learning and understanding synergies and interconnections between Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop, run at the OECD headquarters in Paris, was oriented towards clarifying the role and value of the Policy Coherence for Development approach in SDG implementation and towards identifying possible areas of action.

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logo Nexus Game

Partners: African Development Bank

The African Development Bank connects many African countries in an overarching goal to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction.

We run the Nexus Simulation for the AfDB’s employees to provide them with an opportunity to take a different approach to the water-energy-nexus. Assuming the roles of inhabitants of two bordering countries, players were able to discover many analogies between the simulation and the problematic situations that they encounter in their day-to-day work.

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The World's Future logo

Partners: International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), European Forum Alpbach

We run a session of the World’s Future social simulation for the participants of European Forum Alpbach. The simulation addresses major challenges of implementing the SDGs and raises questions referring to common responsibility for the planet.

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2017

Bengaluru Quest: Politics of sustainability in the city of burning lakes

Partners: International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), European Forum Alpbach

Alpbach-Laxenburg Group members include some of the best minds in the world today from academia, governments, business leaders and civil society; people who, independent of national and financial interests, are willing to place their collective knowledge, expertise, experience, and reputation at the service of the world community at this pivotal point in Earth’s development.

We run an interactive activity for Alpbach-Laxenburg Group to facilitate discussion about the importance of worldviews for tackling behavioral, social and institutional problems related to global transformations.


EDUCEN: European Disasters in Urban Centres

Partners: Wageningen University, ICatalist, Stockholm Environment Institute, Politecnico di Milano, Netherlands Defense Academy, and others

Funding: Horizon 2020

The project established an international expert network to explore the role of culture in disaster risk management.

 

Our task was to design and apply policy exercises that supported stakeholders’ involvement in project’s case studies in Spain, Greece, and the Netherlands. We also created a set of social simulations that were used for the purpose of dissemination of the project’s outcomes. Both simulations and policy exercises succeeded in facilitating a complex interplay between culture(s) and disaster risk reduction, and they are still being used by disaster educators in Europe.

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Climate-KIC

2016

ACCURENT: Accelerating Urban Energy Transitions

Partners: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Estonian Ministry of the Environment, Free Entrepreneurs Association

Funding: Climate-KIC

The project resulted in developing and market-testing a capacity building tool that supports energy transition initiatives from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The tool consists of a social simulation followed by a facilitated session that allows participants to develop systemic innovations necessary for renewable energy adoption.

We designed and developed the simulation and the workshop around it. We also applied this workshop in Germany, Estonia, and Poland.

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Climate-KIC

2016

Spotlight: Innovation for Accelerated Energy Transition

Partner: Climate-KIC

The project’s aimed to increase the entrepreneurship competencies and to foster innovations in international and intercultural environment, with special focus on energy transition. The resulting course was addressed to public authorities, energy sector managers, green energy start-ups, researchers, and scientists.

We designed, developed, and applied the course and the energy transition-themed social simulation that was its core activity.

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2016

New Earth: Catholic Church educators increase the climate sensitivity among students and believers

Partners: Obserwatorium Społeczne

Funding: Climate-KIC

The project focused on addressing climate change-related themes by the means of an easily accessible tool that could be used by the Catholic Church educators.

We designed and developed the board game Laudato Si’ accompanied by the set of lesson scenarios. As a result, more than 4500 young people took part in the game-based lessons.

 

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2015 – 2016

MAFMETIS: Multi-Agent Financial Modelling in Energy efficiency Towards an Investment Strategy

Partners: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Institute for Sustainability

Funding: Climate-KIC

The project’s goal was to assess ways to commercialize multi-stakeholder financial models, in particular in districts with sustainable energy systems. The methodology combined decision making know-how with stakeholder processes expertise and financial modelling in order to build a business model that was then evaluated with customers and stakeholders.

CRS was responsible for designing and conducting the stakeholder process.

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2014 – 2016

Green Games

Partners: Information Society Development Foundation, Foundation for Sustainable Development

Funding: EEA Grants, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management

The goal of “Green games. Libraries and non-governmental organizations involve youth in the game for nature” project was to promote the knowledge about biodiversity, the economic value of ecosystems, and climate change.

CRS was responsible for the project coordination and the development of four games; three board games focused on shaping pro-ecological attitudes, and one online game aimed at raising climate change awareness.  We also trained librarians and NGO workers from Poland in using these games. As a result,  more than 10 000 young people took part in Green Games workshops.

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2014 – 2016

Budget Game

Partners: Municipality of Lublin, Municipality of Świdnik, The Polish Cities Association, Citizens Foundation

Funding: EEA Grants, Stefan Batory Foundation

The project promoted active participation of Lublin’s and Świdnik’s residents in city budgeting processes.

The main part of the project was a simulation game adapted and applied by CRS. A total of over 430 participants took part in the game session. The simulation was later used also in other Polish cities – Wrocław, Częstochowa, Białystok.

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About that Forest

Partners: International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), European Forum Alpbach

The main topic of this seminar was how to apply new cutting edge gaming methodologies to tackle complexity and to improve political decisions under uncertainty.

We run a special version of the About That Forest social simulation during the seminar.

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P.I.P.E.S. LOGO

Partners: MSU School of Criminal Justice and Environmental Science and Policy Program

Funding: ESPP Flint Funds Proposal

The main goal of the project was to support trust among stakeholders and to facilitate the out-of-the-box creative solutions in the context of aging water infrastructure in the area of Flint, Michigan.

We designed the PIPES – Public Infrastructure Participatory Engagement Simulation, to facilitate the dialogue between members of a Michigan community and Michigan’s municipality administration.

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Partners: University of Colorado

Funding: National Science Foundation

The project sought to develop new knowledge on the conditions under which effective local governance arrangements of tropical forest ecosystems are likely to emerge.

We were responsible for the design and development of a social simulation that was further used in experiments in the area of adaptive governance conducted in the project in Uganda.

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Forest@Risk

Partners: International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), European Forum Alpbach

The participants of the seminar explored cases in the realm of disaster risk management, health care or climate change mitigation and adaptation. Together they were discussing how experts, consumers, and policymakers can learn from each other to improve risk communication and make sound decisions.

We run a special version of the Forest@Risk social simulation during the seminar.

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Climate-KIC

2013 – 2014

Green Infra: Catalysing Green Infrastructure

Partners: Deltares, ARCADIS, Alterra, Wroclaw Research Centre EIT+

Funding: Climate-KIC

The project developed a globally applicable framework for stakeholders that makes them consider the advantages of transition ‘from grey to green’ and thus catalyzes the development of green infrastructure.

We were responsible for the work package focused on selecting innovative SME products enabling the application of the framework.

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from 2013

Pioneers into Practice

Partners: Climate-KIC

Pioneers into Practice is Climate-KIC’s professional mobility programme that looks for the next generation of climate innovators.

We take a part in the programme since 2013, providing placements for Pioneers from various European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Estonia, Germany, and Hungary.

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psi-connect-logo

Partners: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Cranfield University, University of Osnabrück, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), VITUKI

Funding: EU 7th Framework Programme

The project promoted a step change towards more effective interactions between policy and science communities in the context of climate change impacts on freshwater management.

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2010

Workshop on the sustainable water and wastewater management in Karpacz

Partners: The Sendzimir Foundation, Wojewódzki Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej we Wrocławiu

Funding: The Sendzimir Foundation, Wojewódzki Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej we Wrocławiu

The workshop’s goal was to explore possible benefits of the wastewater treatment plant in the ecological station “Storczyk” for the city of Karpacz.

We facilitated this participatory process with local stakeholders.

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2007 – 2010

Challenges of Sustainable Development

Partners: The Sendzimir Foundation, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt

Funding: EEA Grants, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management

The project’s objective was to introduce the principles of sustainable development into the everyday practice of Polish companies, enterprises, as well as public institutions and local governments.

CRS was responsible for the development of ChallengeSD – the first Polish social network website focusing on sustainability. We also developed an online multiplayer game Beeune and contributed to the first Polish handbook on sustainable development.

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SCENES

Partners: Finnish Environment Institute, University of Kassel, International Institute for Systems Analysis (IIASA), Deltares, Alterra, and others

Funding: EU 6th Framework Programme

This research project proposed and tested the methodology that could be applied to create credible scenarios for the effective management of surface waters in Europe by 2025.

We provided conceptual models to support the research leaders in better understanding and analysis of the identified research problems and scenarios.

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2006 – 2007

Green Enterprise Zone “Business Park Zawiła”

Partners: The Sendzimir Foundation, Association Zielona Strefa Przedsiębiorczości “Business Park Zawiła”, Foundation Partnerstwo dla Środowiska

Funding: The Sendzimir Foundation, Association Zielona Strefa Przedsiębiorczości “Business Park Zawiła”, Business Center Alstar

The project’s objective was to promote sustainable development in business context. The project was implemented in the Green Enterprise Zone “Business Park Zawiła” (BPZ) in Cracow, Poland. It gathered BZP member enterprises and their, cooperating companies, as well as researchers, representatives of non-governmental organizations, self-government authorities, and the local community.

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2006

Water-sewage management in Dziewin

Partners: Foundation “Zielona Akcja”, Municipality of Ścinawa, Municipality of Dziewin

Funding: The Sendzimir Foundation, Municipality of Ścinawa, Wojewódzki Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej we Wrocławiu

The workshop aimed to create a model partnership (of residents, students, local governments, entrepreneurs, and professionals from outside) to develop a solution to the problem of sewage management in Dziewin, a 150-person village located in the administrative district of Lubin, Poland.

CRS facilitated this participatory process with local stakeholders.

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