Belarus 2020 Q1: Achievements

The Ministry of Natural Resources In February, the RCAC laboratory participated in and Environmental Protection, in consultation a proficiency test for determination of metals with the regional Executive Committee and nutrient elements in water. A needs and the EUWI+ team, have agreed to pursue assessment and procurement of consumables a pilot study in Southern examining for the analytical methods trainings commenced possibilities for surface water resources use in Q1 to allow successful delivery of trainings on for irrigation and melioration while respecting site. The Republican Unitary Enterprise “Research environmental flow requirements. This region is and Production Centre for Geology” submitted particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate four final draft reports on the monitoring design change, and changing agricultural practices in for a new groundwater body, the transboundary this region has to be assessed in terms of benefits coordination of groundwater bodies with to the economy, environment and citizens. Also , the assessment of pollution in the in the Gomel region of Belarus, the second round South Eastern part of the Pripyat basin and the of public consultations on Pripyat RBMP took repetition of the groundwater survey in 2018. In place on 31 January, with comments received total, 70 monitoring sites have been subject from a range of stakeholders including the NGO to sampling and comprehensive laboratory community. On 26 March, a second training analysis. was held in on the development of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the A public procurement contract for the supply draft Strategy for Water Resources Management was signed in March, resulting in € 59.995,00 in the context of Climate Change for the Period contracted value. until 2030. This event was attended by local experts in person, with international experts and the EUWI+ project team joining remotely as part of the project’s response to keeping activities moving in response to Covid-19.

+ EUWIEU WATER INITIATIVE Action funded by the FOR EASTERN PARTNERSHIP EUROPEAN UNION Look ahead to Q2

The Pripyat Basin Council is scheduled to Work on monitoring documents (RBMP meet in Mozyr in May-June 2020. This meeting monitoring chapter, thematic summaries, is currently subject to review and monitoring monitoring development plans and ecological in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EUWI+ status classification system) continues as planned team are working on adaptation measures and in and is expected to be finalised by the end of Q2. particular, the implementation of an information campaign on RBMP. The study on water for EUWI+ will continue to support the laboratories irrigation in Gomel oblast will be launched, as in Minsk and Gomel that are responsible for well as the improvement of RBMP national analysis of surface water and groundwater technical guidelines and communication samples through trainings on quality activities. management and on new equipment, as well as through some renovations, additional Planned spring surface water surveys have been equipment and specialised software. postponed however, preparation will continue regarding site selection, logistics and contracting The further work on transboundary to ensure continuation as soon as the situation harmonisation and monitoring, together allows. It might be necessary to find alternatives with Ukraine, will be prepared and hopefully to such transboundary activities, like sub-regional contracted. workshops and transboundary fieldwork. In Q2, suppliers will deliver equipment required The work on the SEA of the draft Water for biological monitoring of surface waters. Strategy in the context of climate change Conceptual preparations for introducing for the period until 2030 will continue with investigative monitoring are ongoing. the draft Environmental Report expected to be completed by the end of Q2.

+ EUWIEU WATER INITIATIVE Action funded by the FOR EASTERN PARTNERSHIP EUROPEAN UNION