Interreg FloodBOTI project increases resilience against flooding on the Tisza and Bodrog rivers using natural solutions. But it’s not just about infrastructure - the initiative also focuses on community engagement, with cleanup drives, eco-awareness events, and educational programs to inspire environmental stewardship.
Cooperation as key ingredients to balance river ecosystems: Slovak and Hungarian water management bodies join forces across borders to protect the Bodrog and Tisza
- 17 December 2024
The watersheds of the Bodrog and Tisa rivers are among the areas most at risk of flooding, and extreme rainfall in recent years has posed an increasing threat to local residents and ecosystems. Both Slovak and Hungarian water management teams face similar challenges, including water transport issues due to invasive species, poor floodplain and oxbow conditions, and the need to retain wetland water effectively. Thus, the Slovak and Hungarian partners joined forces in a Cohesion Policy funded FloodBOTI project to address these challenges through the restoration of floodplains, wetlands, and regulation of watercourses to help the Bodrog and Tisa rivers return to a state that is resilient to climate challenges. The three partner organizations teamed up to implement three main project elements.
Hungary: Tree planting and wetland revitalization.
The North Hungarian Water Directorate is responsible for restoring 60 ha of pasture and mowing the right bank of the South Borsod Tisza floodplain, planting 20 hectares of ancient and native tree species, felling invasive, alien shrubs and trees on 10 hectares, and reconstructing wetlands on 10 hectares in the area of former cubic pits and material extraction sites.
Slovakia: Cleaning of the Bodrog and new, eco-friendly water management solutions.
The Slovak Water Management Enterprise leads the cleaning of the Klin nad Bodrogom canal from invasive vegetation on a section of about 20 km. 2 new sluice gates will be built on the “Old Bodrog”, which will ensure the necessary water supply between Klin nad Bodrogom and Streda nad Bodrogom, and 1 dam outlet will also be reconstructed.
Education and awareness: River clean-ups, eco-days for the public, educational activities for schools.
In addition, it is important to clean up areas from waste arriving by the floods, and to prevent environmental pollution through educational and awareness-raising activities. Therefore, under the leadership of Agency for the Support of Regional Development Košice, 2 Bodrog clean-up days and 2 eco-days are being organized, 5 lectures for the local municipalities and 15 lectures for school children will be held on topics of environmental protection, waste management and climate change.
FloodBOTI offers more than just flood protection – it is a comprehensive project focused on ecosystem restoration, improving water management, and revitalizing green areas. The project also contributes to supporting biodiversity and ecological balance, as the restored wetlands and floodplains will create conditions for the return of native plant and animal species.
The FloodBOTI project started on 1 July 2024 is co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg Hungary-Slovakia Program 2021-2027, with EU funds contribution: 1 118 577,60 €.