CAKE at the 2nd Central and Eastern European LIFE Projects Meeting 2026

The CAKE Team actively participated in the 2nd Central and Eastern European LIFE Projects Meeting 2026, held in Warsaw from 22–24 April 2026. The conference was organised by REC, Kampinos Wet LIFE and Univeristy of LIFE Sciences in Warsaw.

CAKE Team representatives – Aneta Tylka, Marta Rosłaniec, and Maciej Pyrka, LIFEENSPIRE coordinator – were actively involved in conference activities, communication sessions, workshops, networking meetings, and discussions throughout the event. The team also presented the LIFEENSPIRE project during the Open Project Fair.

On the first day of the conference, participants engaged with key topics related to the LIFE Programme and its development. It was also an excellent opportunity to present the LIFEENSPIRE project during the fair and to network with representatives from eight European countries, as well as organisations such as CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, ELMEN, DG Environment, and NFOŚIGW. Aneta Tylka chaired a table during the communication working group discussion.

The second day provided valuable insights into Integrated LIFE (IP LIFE) projects from countries including Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, and Estonia. Participants also had the opportunity to observe the practical outcomes of LIFE projects implemented in Poland during field visits. We thank the organisers for this opportunity to witness the impressive scale and impact of projects carried out in the LIFE PL Pilica Basin, Kampinos National Park wetlands, and along the Vistula River. We also thank all the LIFE projects: LIFE-IP Grassland-HU, LIFE-IP ForEst&FarmLand, and LIFE-IP LatViaNature for their presentations.

On the third day, Maciej Pyrka, representing CAKE / KOBiZE / IOŚ-PIB and the LIFE ENSPIRE project, actively participated in a panel discussion entitled “How are LIFE projects influencing policies at all levels?”. During the session, he presented the evolution of CAKE projects – from LIFE Climate CAKE PL, through LIFE VIEW 2050, to the currently implemented LIFE ENSPIRE – highlighting their impact on policy development in Poland. We extend our thanks for the insightful discussion to Przemysław Ogiński (DG Environment), Inga Piksena (DABA), representatives of BROZ, and Bécsy László (CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency). The day also featured an excellent presentation by the LIFE Department of the Polish NCP NFOŚIGW, delivered by Andrzej Muter.

We would like to warmly thank Michał Miazga and Karolina Bukowicka (REC), Ioana Lucaciu, Marta Kaczyńska and Zbigniew Karaczun (ELMEN EEIG), László Bécsy, Boyana Vassileva and Licinia Pereira (CINEA), and Przemysław Ogiński (DG Environment) for their valuable contributions and engaging discussions. Finally, we thank all panellists and colleagues from other LIFE projects for the inspiring exchange of knowledge and experience. We look forward to the continued development and strong future of the LIFE Programme.