Vinnytsia’s specific project idea was supported by Connective Cities in the framework of a targeted virtual local project workshop over three sessions in November 2020. The time between the first Connective Cities event and the virtual local project workshop was used by the City of Vinnytsia to inform the Mayor about the project idea and gain his support, as well as to bring together relevant local stakeholders. Furthermore, the municipality appointed a coordinator role for this project within  the Vinnytsia Institute for Urban Development (the local municipal planning company focusing on strategic local governance projects and international cooperation) and a small municipal river, the Diohtianets river, was identified as a pilot river for the revitalisation project.

Two technical experts of the Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband advised the city of Vinnytsia on the planning as well as the environmental aspects of the pilot project. The Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband is a municipal water and wastewater management company operating in several municipalities in one of the largest metropolitan area in Europe, between Dortmund and Duisburg, and in the neighbouring Lippe Region. Having extensive experience in the post-industrial conversion and natural restauration of the Ruhr area which was characterised by heavy industry, the two experts of the Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband could provide insights on the planning and execution of river revitalisation and on the ecological redevelopment of small river area. 

Over the three sessions the German experts provided practical examples on how the Emscher main river and its smaller rivers in the Ruhr area were restored in the post-industrial time, including information on waste water treatment, water quality and its monitoring as well the mapping of the river discharge points and of possible contamination sources. Important aspects such as biodiversity, stream development as well as the development of rivers as recreational areas and public participation were also illustrated and discussed. The German experts could also get a better idea of the local river area in Vinnytsia through a video of it created using drone images and showing the diversity of the municipal areas next to the riverbanks throughout the river length. Based on this video the experts could target their insights to the local context and give feedback on the draft project plan developed by the Vinnytsia municipality for the Diohtianets river.

Over the three sessions the German experts provided practical examples on how the Emscher main river and its smaller rivers in the Ruhr area were restored in the post-industrial time, including information on waste water treatment, water quality and its monitoring as well the mapping of the river discharge points and of possible contamination sources. Important aspects such as biodiversity, stream development as well as the development of rivers as recreational areas and public participation were also illustrated and discussed. The German experts could also get a better idea of the local river area in Vinnytsia through a video of it created using drone images and showing the diversity of the municipal areas next to the riverbanks throughout the river length. Based on this video the experts could target their insights to the local context and give feedback on the draft project plan developed by the Vinnytsia municipality for the Diohtianets river.