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International seminar-discussion “Implementation of the Water Framework Directive: national experiences, challenges, and future perspectives in managing agricultural pollution”
2025.10.08
Despite continuous efforts, agricultural pollution remains one of the most significant factors preventing the achievement of good ecological status of water bodies. It is projected that by 2027, the final deadline for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), a substantial share of water bodies in the Baltic Sea region will fail to reach good status due to agricultural impacts.
In order to discuss key issues related to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), on 25–26 September the partners of the “LIFE SIP Water” project organised an important two-day international seminar-discussion in Vilnius entitled “Implementation of the Water Framework Directive: national experiences, challenges, and future perspectives in managing agricultural pollution”. During the event, guests from Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Poland, and Ireland shared their experience and best practices in planning and implementing agricultural pollution reduction measures. The discussions also addressed the prospects and timelines for achieving the objectives of the WFD.
The meeting aimed to establish closer links between representatives of responsible institutions and experts from Baltic Sea region countries, encourage cooperation, knowledge and experience sharing, and coordinate actions to identify and implement the most effective solutions for improving the status of water bodies.
According to Dr Jurgita Vatiekūnienė, an expert at the Environmental Policy Centre, the seminar provided valuable insights and opportunities, and the cooperation established will undoubtedly contribute to future progress towards achieving shared goals.
The event was organised within the framework of the “LIFE SIP Water” project “Integrated Water Management in Lithuania” (No. 101104645 — LIFE22-IPE-LT–LIFE SIP Water), financed by the EU LIFE Programme and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania.
Results
we aim to achieve
Reduced negative environmental impacts on the country’s surface waters and improved status of surface water bodies.
A cooperation platform developed by experts from participating institutions, ensuring more effective management of surface water bodies.
Investments mobilised through the project will secure funding beyond the project’s lifetime and expand the scale of its results.
Public outreach and communication activities will increase public engagement and encourage behavioural changes that contribute to improving the status of water bodies.
