1st stakeholder meeting for the Puck bay use-case

On November 27, a key stakeholder meeting was held at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Gdańsk University of Technology, bringing together scientists, public institutions, and regional organisations to address urgent environmental challenges related to soil, land, and groundwater management. The event took place as part of three international scientific projects: SOILPROM, AQUIGROW, and DATASET, all focused on supporting sustainable development through data-driven decision-making.

Collaboration between science, administration, and industry

The meeting gathered representatives of universities and research institutes from across Poland, alongside state administration bodies, water utilities, and organisations from the Pomeranian region. Through interactive workshops, participants worked together to identify social and environmental needs connected to the sustainable use of soil and groundwater resources.

A major focus of the discussions was how the results of ongoing research projects—such as environmental databases and modeling tools—can be effectively used to support evidence-based decision-making at local, regional, and national levels.

Key environmental challenges in the Pomeranian region

The workshops addressed several pressing environmental issues affecting northern Poland, particularly:

• Sensitivity of aquifers to pollution, especially in agriculturally and urbanized areas
• Transport of nutrients in soil and groundwater in the Puck Bay catchment
• Sustainable groundwater management on the Vistula Spit, with special attention to the impacts of climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing water demand

These challenges highlight the need for integrated approaches that combine hydrogeological research, land-use planning, and climate adaptation strategies.

Science responding to real social needs

The stakeholder meeting demonstrated how international research projects can directly respond to regional environmental problems and social expectations. By combining scientific expertise with the practical experience of public institutions and water managers, the initiatives contribute to more resilient water systems, better soil protection, and long-term environmental security in the Pomeranian region.

Such cooperation strengthens the link between research, policy, and practice, ensuring that scientific translate into tangible benefits for society and the environment.