One of the key objectives of the LIFE IP HungAIRy project was to establish an eco-manager network dedicated to air quality protection. The experts working within the network act as local coordinators, facilitating the flow of information between local authorities, residents and other stakeholders. They also identify additional potential partners who could become involved in activities aimed at improving air quality in their municipalities.

Strengthening Local Authority Capacities

The eco-managers work in ten partner municipalities and two municipal companies. By the end of the project, 19 eco-managers were working across the ten partner municipalities and two municipal companies, supporting the planning and implementation of local air quality measures.

The network is coordinated by the Eco-Manager Knowledge Centre, which operates within HungaroMet. The Knowledge Centre provides continuous professional and technical support to eco-managers and helps them develop their skills through regular training sessions.

As part of the project, HungaroMet also developed a knowledge base to support awareness-raising activities, along with other educational materials. Local authorities are free to use these resources and adapt them to the specific needs and characteristics of their municipalities. In addition, digital and printed training materials were produced to provide eco-managers with the knowledge required for their work in various fields, including environmental protection, with a particular focus on air quality protection, awareness-raising and project management.

Some of the training materials, presentations and videos are freely available in the project's e-learning knowledge base.

Eco-managers regularly attend meetings organised by the Eco-Manager Knowledge Centre, where they expand their professional knowledge, report on their activities, exchange experiences and support one another by sharing good practices.

The Scope of Eco-Managers' Activities

The work of eco-managers combines professional coordination, cooperation with local authorities and direct engagement with residents. They help coordinate local measures and keep the public informed. They also actively contribute to the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans and workplace mobility plans, while helping municipalities and residents successfully apply for national and EU funding aimed at improving air quality.

Eco-managers participate in the development and review of awareness-raising plans and organise campaigns, workshops and other events based on these plans to protect air quality in their municipalities. They also give presentations at educational institutions and events marking environmental awareness days, as well as on the project's key thematic areas. These activities promote knowledge about environmentally friendly solid fuel heating, composting, energy efficiency, cycling, environmentally conscious driving and e-mobility.

Eco-managers regularly contribute to European Mobility Week events and use local events and festivals to raise participants' awareness of the importance of protecting air quality.

They also coordinate the implementation and review of local air quality plans. These plans are reviewed by local authorities in cooperation with the competent county government offices, HungaroMet and, where necessary, additional external experts.

The ATMO-Plan modelling application supports a more effective review of air quality plans. The tool allows different scenarios of air quality improvement measures to be modelled and the expected impacts of planned measures to be visualised. Eco-managers are responsible for developing and assessing the various scenarios.

Thanks to regular professional meetings and the support provided by the Knowledge Centre, eco-managers form a nationwide knowledge-sharing network through which successful local solutions can quickly be shared with other municipalities.

Continuous communication between project partners, eco-managers and the central stakeholders involved helps facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience and strengthens cooperation between local authorities working towards the objectives of air quality plans.

The eco-manager network is one of the most important legacies of the HungAIRy project. Even after the project has come to an end, it will continue to support cooperation between municipalities in the field of air quality protection and promote the dissemination of good practices.