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• 2008

S&T and Ekoportal – Polish ecology’s Internet window to the world

S&T’s task is to design central repository of data and IT system that would ensure communication and flow of data between databases and registers on environment that are handled by public institutions, to present these data at Ekoportal employing GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techniques, to provide different possible levels of access to these data, and to train future administrators and users of the system. These would be mainly employees of state and local administration who manage databases on environment in Poland . Currently, the data are derived from many different databases, registers and catalogs, often varying when it comes to patterns of the data gathered, their scope, and frequency of updating. Such circumstances make it impossible to consistently analyze data and present them to users through one, convenient interface.

Ekoportal service ( www.ekoportal.pl ) discloses information on subjects related to protection of environment in Poland , and also on available funds on environmental causes. It also releases data on ecotourism, protection of nature and utilization of waste. “Due to flexibility of the newly designed system of interactive communication with citizens, the system itself can be also influenced by users, employees of administration, green activists, scientists, and people interested in environmental issues. I am glad since it will improve ecological awareness of society, support pro-environmental behaviors, promote active life, and will create new opportunities for Ekoportal as Polish ecology Internet window to the world” - said Cezary Starczewski, Director of the Center of Environmental Information.

S&T company was selected following a public tender announced by “Cooperation Fund” Foundation – Financing and Contracting Unit. The project is financed from the EU Transition Facility fund, which is an extension of well-known Phare fund. These funds are allotted to new member states and are meant to improve their administration and to adjust their systems to the EU requirements. From the formal standpoint the contract is managed by “Cooperation Fund” Foundation, while the beneficiaries are Ministry of Environment and the Center of Environmental Information .

S&T has already commenced implementation of the project. Despite protests by other tenderers, Office of Public Orders has agreed that the contract would be signed with immediate effect. “Cooperation with the beneficiary has been very smooth, which is of paramount importance for the whole project. All the works are on schedule, despite very tight timeframe which is described to weekly modules” – added Ryszard Niżnik, Director of Public Administration Solutions at S&T.