SB MANTA Interreg South Baltic

27/04/2026

On March 23, 2026 MANTA Interreg South Baltic project visited the most innovative Marshal’s office in Poland.

West Pomeranian Department of Territorial Cooperation and Tourism invited to show presentation about project’s goals and planned events, during the study visit for regional guides and local travel organizers.

Together with project partners of we hopefully managed to inspire this experienced group to encourage visitors to support nature and local communities while traveling. The event was finished with guided tour around passive, ecological and the most modern office building in Poland.

Platforma Obywatelska Pomorze Zachodnie
Pomorze Zachodnie News

13/04/2026

On March 28, 2026, as part of regional workshops and the SB MANTA Interreg South Baltic project, Slowinski National Park organized a meeting dedicated to the collared plover (Charadrius hiaticula). 🪽

The meeting was open to anyone who expressed interest by registering online. The meeting began at the Museum in Czołpino with a welcome for the participants, followed by an overview of the project itself—focusing in particular on its objectives, participating countries, and funding.

This was followed by a presentation on the conservation of the ringed plover within the Słowiński National Park. The theoretical session was followed by a field component, involving direct bird observation. 🪶

We walked a 2-kilometer stretch along the beach, and of course, our star bird did not disappoint us. Everyone was able to get a good look at the ringed plover, as we had also brought a spotting scope with us.

Participants were given notebooks bearing the project’s logo to record their observations, and we provided binoculars for anyone who wanted to use them. The participants’ enthusiasm exceeded our wildest expectations. 👁️

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their active involvement, and to the project team—Marta Krzyżanek, Anna Krukowska, Łukasz Fuglewicz, and Andrzej Demczak—for organizing this event. Special thanks to Magdalena Jędro for her wonderful presentation. We would also like to thank Marcin Kamiński from Radio Koszalin for participating in our event and promoting our project on the radio. 🫶

photo: Andrzej Demczak 📸

25/02/2026

Bird monitoring as part of the SB MANTA Interreg South Baltic project 🐦🐦🐦

Last Saturday (February 21, 2026) the first testing of activities within the project took place in Wolin National Park (Poland).

The meeting began by explaining the importance of monitoring for all nature, why we need such data, and what we can glean from it, for example, whether the habitats in the Park are still in good condition or whether anything is changing.🌳

To this end, participants split into two groups and walked the entire length of the beach to monitor bird populations in the Baltic Sea. 🌊

It was the first warmer day after the prolonged frost, and although it was slightly rainy, the participants of the event still managed to observe various bird species, such as red-breasted mergansers, long-tailed ducks, velvet scoters, common scoters, goldeneyes, and even a white-tailed eagle. 🪽

Participants also completed an evaluation survey to gather feedback on whether our proposed activities could be incorporated into a permanent volunteering program.

We are delighted that people from outside parks' district, and even from other voivodeships, also participated in the event. 🫶

The SB MANTA project – "South Baltic natural and cultural heritage assets management as tourist attractions" – is co-financed by the European Union under Interreg South Baltic. 🇪🇺

✒ B. Dylawerska
📸 W. Nawrocka, A. Łepek, B. Dylawerska

28/01/2026

Spreding the word about SB Manta project. 👍

On 28 November 2025, students of grades VI and VIII at the Primary School in Stowięcino took part in educational classes led by an educator from the Słowiński National Park, where they learned about forms of nature protection and the background of the SB MANTA project.🏡

The meeting highlighted how protected areas and their managing institutions can successfully apply for funding and implement international projects. 🤝

Another information and promotional activity was an educational walk entitled “Identification of Trees and Shrubs in a Leafless State”, held on 13 December 2025 along the Rowokół nature trail. The walk was preceded by a short information meeting at the Słowiński National Park headquarters, where participants learned about the project objectives and its co-financing under the Interreg South Baltic Programme. 🌳🇪🇺

24/11/2025

SB MANTA in “Volunteer Fair”.🤝

On November 22, the “Volunteer Fair” was held in Klaipėda (Lithuania) where all visitors could get acquainted with the volunteer activities offered by various organizations.

At the event Lithuanian protected areas were represented by representatives of the Directorates of the Lithuania Minor Protected Areas and the Curonian Spit National Park (both are partners of SB MANTA project). Representatives presented what volunteer activities in the protected areas each resident can contribute to, introduced the volunteering map of the protected areas and invited all to participate in fun quizzes.

The representatives also presented Interreg South Baltic program international project SB MANTA, that with the help of volunteering, creates sustainable and environmentally friendly tourist activities in European protected areas.

03/11/2025

We successfully completed the second international test of the SB MANTA Interreg South Baltic project! 💪

In the last days of October over 40 people from Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark tested environmental initiatives that could become entirely new tourist attractions in our region.

Project partner Woliński National Park prepared and implemented an incredibly interesting test program. For two days, volunteer testers performed small tasks to protect the environment and valuable ecosystems:
🍂 we removed biomass from grasslands,
🦆 we participated in wintering bird counts,
🌳 we planted beech trees that will complement the forests' biodiversity for the next 100 years.
The mission has been completed once again. 🙂

03/10/2025

On September 20th, the 10th anniversary festival “Sveika Neringa” took place in Juodkrantė (Lithuania). 🎋

This is a festival that has been carrying a significant mission in the Curonian Spit for several years. 🌊

During this festival, volunteers from various Lithuanian cities contribute to the preservation of the unique landscape and biodiversity of the Curonian Spit National Park. 🇱🇹

Volunteers who willingly return to Neringa every year, including high school students from various corners of the country and young families, perform the same, but very important work.
They remove pine saplings, an invasive plant - broomrape, and also make protective dune fences. This festival is much more than a one-day help. It is a celebration of community, determination and belief in common goals. Volunteering here becomes not only a help to the nature, but also an opportunity to experience how strongly people are united for the future of their land. 🫶

During the festival, the SB MANTA project and its activities, opportunities to volunteer and contribute in the work carried out by the Curonian Spit National Park Directorate were presented. Only by understanding and acting together we can preserve what is precious and pass-on this beauty to future generations. 👨‍👩‍👧🌳🌿

26/09/2025

The fifth environmental festival “Darom prie jūros 2025” was held in Melnragė on August 22–24 and brought together nature lovers from all over Lithuania. 🌊🇱🇹

Despite strong wind and rain, more than 250 volunteers gathered for the clean-up work. They collected garbage from Melnragė pier to Giruliai beach and proved once again that community mobilization can bring great results. 💪🤝

This year, the Directorate of Curonian Spit National Park also joined the initiative. On August 22, the international project SB MANTA, which unites partners from Lithuania, Poland and Germany, was presented to the festival participants. 🇪🇺

The project’s goal is to create new sustainable tourism activities in the South Baltic region, giving visitors the opportunity to get involved in the indirect management of protected areas. This is an invitation to volunteer in meaningful work – from environmental management to biodiversity conservation – and become part of a community that cherishes natural and cultural heritage. 🫶🌲🦔🌿

16/09/2025

The Youth Affairs Office of West Pomeranian Voivodeship and Wolin National Park invite volunteers to the second test of the SB MANTA project in Poland! 🇮🇩👫

What we will be testing?
💚 An environmentally and soul-friendly way to spend your free time!
💚 Attractions for those who are curious about the world, love nature, and want to help it.

More information you can find below. ⬇️

Macie ochotę przeżyć coś całkiem nowego i niesamowitego? Sekretariat ds. Młodzieży Województwa Zachodniopomorskiego i Woliński Park Narodowy zapraszają na II testy projektu MANTA!
Co będziecie testować?
💚 Przyjazny środowisku i duszy sposób na spędzanie wolnego czasu!
💚 Atrakcje dla ciekawych świata, kochających przyrodę i pragnących jej pomagać.
𝗝𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝘄𝘆𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗰𝘇𝗸𝗮 𝗽𝗼ł𝗮̨𝗰𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝘇 𝘄𝘆𝗸𝗼𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰 𝗻𝗮 𝗿𝘇𝗲𝗰𝘇 𝗽𝗿𝘇𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗰𝘇𝗲𝗸𝗮 𝗻𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘀! Zanim się zapiszecie:
- testy trwają w dniach 28-29 października 2025 r. (całe 2 dni)
- zapewniamy noclegi i pełne wyżywienie w dniach 27-30 października 2025 r.
- opłacamy koszty transportu ze Szczecina do Wolińskiego Parku Narodowego (w dwie strony)
- na miejscu liczne atrakcje dla testerów
- okazja do poznania ciekawych ludzi z Litwy, Szwecji i Niemiec
- osoby niepełnoletnie mogą przyjechać z opiekunami / rodzicami
Liczba miejsc dla testerów z Polski jest BARDZO ograniczona. Tylko 10 osób zakwalifikuje się do testów.
Chcecie testować? Wysyłajcie maila z tytułem TESTY MANTA na maila [email protected]
W treści maila podajecie swoje imię, nazwisko, datę urodzenia, numer telefonu. My kontaktujemy się z Wami i ustalamy szczegóły.
Zapisy mailowe tylko do 19 września lub do wyczerpania miejsc.
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Działania projektu South Baltic MANTA są współfinansowane ze środków UE w ramach programu Interreg South Baltic.




Pomorze Zachodnie News Olgierd Geblewicz

09/09/2025

Discover. Help. Protect. 🤝

This is the motto of the international project SB MANTA, in which organizations and their volunteers from three different countries participate.

This Year (On May 21st-23rd), more than 40 volunteers from Lithuania, Poland and Germany carried out various activities in the protected areas of the Lithuania Minor region, related to improving the condition of recreational, tourist and natural objects in the protected areas of the region. 💁🙋‍♀️

This visit of volunteers from different countries at the Lithuania Minor region was part of the international SB MANTA project, which main goal is to create new sustainable tourism objects and activities for tourists, involving them in the management of the natural and cultural heritage values ​​of the South Baltic region. 👐🫶🌳🪺

During their visit to Lithuania Minor, volunteers and accompanying persons from the partner organizations of the SB MANTA project carried out various activities in the Rambynas, Nemunas Delta and Pajūris regional parks. They also had a great opportunity to know the natural environment and region culture better.

05/09/2025

Get to know the international project SB MANTA! 🤝

In order to create new sustainable tourism products for tourists, involving them in the management of natural and cultural heritage values of the South Baltic region, seven partners from Lithuania, Poland and Germany prepared a project application and received funding from the 2021–2028 Interreg VI-A South Baltic Cooperation Programme for the joint project SB MANTA (South Baltic natural and cultural heritage assets management as Tourist Attraction), No. STHB.03.01-IP.01-0012/23-00. 🇪🇺

The goal of the project - to create new kind of tourism product for people searching for places to experience unspoiled nature and show that South Baltic protected areas are such destinations. 🚣‍♀️

Participation in management processes, such as nature restoration and leisure by education may occur one of the most appreciable sources of visitors satisfaction and should be developed and promoted jointly by units responsible both for nature management and tourist development. Developing the management of protected areas as a tourism product would provide additional alternatives for tourists, create new sustainable tourist destinations and bring more benefits to local communities. 🏡

Project partners:
🔸Lead Partner - Administration of Lithuania Minor Protected Areas (Lithuania);
🔸Partner No. 1 - EUCC Baltic Office (Lithuania);
🔸Partner No. 2 - West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland);
🔸Partner No. 3 - Wolinski National Park (Poland);
🔸Partner No. 4 – Słowiński National Park (Poland);
🔸Partner No. 5 - EUCC – Coastal Union Germany (Germany);
🔸Partner No. 6 - Administration of Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania).