The HungAIRy LIFE integrated project has reached its half-way point and we are presenting the results achieved so far at today's event - said Péter Bozzay, Managing Director of the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., the project coordinator, in his welcome speech at the workshop for local governments and government authorities.

In his speech, the Managing Director emphasized that in addition to developing emission databases, creating community cycling systems and operating a national network of experts and advisors, we are also carrying out comprehensive awareness-raising and information activities with our 19 project partners.

The Deputy State Secretary for the Environment of the Ministry of Energy said that the HungAIRy LIFE integrated project, which was launched in 2019, has a total budget of HUF 5.2 billion, 40 percent of which is financed from national sources. The 8-year project will implement air quality plans in 10 municipalities in 8 regions of the country, including the development of emission databases and comprehensive awareness-raising programmes.

In her presentation, Nikoletta Keszthelyi also reported on several other projects and government measures that also aim to improve air quality. As an example, she highlighted the "Borrowed Air" programme, launched in February this year, which explains the importance of good air quality to primary school children.

Awareness-raising, sensitisation, knowledge transfer - these are the key elements of the project for the population, said Barbara Bezegh, Director of the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd. Directorate for International Projects. Among the objectives, she highlighted the creation of an air pollution prevention advisory network, support for decision-makers with local data and models, and dissemination of knowledge and best practices at national and international level.

Tamás Szigeti, Project Lead Expert, pointed out why it is important to talk about air pollution. The quality of human life is fundamentally determined by the quality of air and air pollution is a major health hazard. It is therefore in the public interest to continuously reduce emissions of pollutants and improve air quality. The main sources of small particulate matter in the air are inadequate domestic heating and combustion and the illegal incineration of waste.

Ildikó Babcsány, the Head of the Eco.manager Knowledge Centre, who was  one of the workshop's initiators, gave a presentation on the Eco-manager Network. The experts who make up the network act as liaisons, facilitating the exchange of information between the municipality, the public and other stakeholders, and coordinating the implementation and review of local air quality plans.

The rest of the programme included presentations by project partners and experts from the coordinating beneficiary, which are available only in Hungarian.

Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd.