Czech Villages Vohančice and Hranice Launch Water Retention Initiatives

The municipality of Vohančice on the Brno region completed an eight‑year, CZK 80 million programme that reshaped 33 ha of land. New ponds, wetlands, erosion‑control dikes and the planting of thousands of trees were built to capture rainwater, restore groundwater levels and reduce summer heat in the 200‑person village.

In the border town of Hranice, Czech officials together with German partner Rögnitzlosau started the "Together for Water and Climate" project. The plan revamps the Trojmezí pond to protect the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) and adds public pathways, green infrastructure and a cross‑border education centre. The Czech side will finance roughly CZK 30 million, 85 % of which comes from the EU Interreg programme, with completion targeted for 2027.

Both initiatives aim to mitigate drought, improve water security and enhance biodiversity in the region.