In a call for tenders coordinated by the KU, 21 institutions from all over Europe applied to plan a restoration project and receive funding for it. In contrast to the usual research tenders, this one was aimed specifically at local and regional authorities. This is a challenge in view of the fact that the majority of nature conservation research is driven by universities and non-governmental organizations. The aim of this funding policy is to specifically integrate authorities into the research, which will play a key role in the planning and implementation of future nature conservation projects. In addition, authorities from countries already represented in the Restore4Life project consortium were excluded from the application process in order to avoid duplicate funding.
KU Floodplain Institute: Five new areas for Europe-wide restoration project
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After reviewing and evaluating the applications with the help of other partner institutions from the project consortium, five areas were selected that will be playing a key role in Restore4Life project from now on. Projects in the Belgian city of Aalst, in Lviv in Ukraine, in Östergötland in Sweden, in Ponte de Lima in Portugal and in Ararat in Armenia are being supported. "The diversity of the locations should also highlight the goal of focusing on different ecosystems and challenges and developing tailored solutions in each case", explains the deputy director of the Floodplain Institute, Prof. Dr. Barbara Stammel.
Each of the selected areas will receive 100,000 euros in funding to plan a new restoration project based on the Restore4Life approach and implement the first steps. The KU is responsible for disbursing these funds and is involved in the scientific monitoring and evaluation of the projects. Over the next six months, workshops will be organized in the new so-called “Associated Regions” to promote exchange both among the Restore4Life partners and with local interest groups. "The aim is to create a ‘community of practice’ in order to take into account the perspectives of different interest groups", explains Stammel. She says, examples of participants are local experts, educational institutions, tourism organizations and landowners. Due to the current situation, cooperation with the Ukrainian partner will mainly take place online or outside Ukraine. "Nevertheless, it is still important to actively involve this region in the research consortium."
The Restore4Life project, which runs until 2027, focuses on the areas of ecology, remote sensing, citizen science, environmental education and nature-based business models. Based on this, individual and scientifically substantiated plans for implementation are now being developed for each of the five selected project areas. "Restore4Life offers the opportunity to see the restoration of wetlands across Europe as a common challenge and thus work towards the sustainable restoration of these important ecosystems", explains Stammel.
Information on Restore4Life project
The Restore4Life project is part of the EU mission to improve the condition of oceans and water bodies through research, public participation and targeted measures – the focus is on the restoration of wetlands in the Danube basin. Wetlands are important ecosystems and play an important role in water purification and storage as well as protection against floods and droughts. However, more than 70 percent of the wetlands and floodplains in this area have disappeared or been severely damaged. Restore4Life, funded by the EU Horizon Europe program, aims to develop measures for the restoration of wetlands in the Danube region on a scientific basis, with the involvement of local stakeholders. The project has a duration of four years and 31 organizations are involved. The KU Floodplain Institute is one of the six institutions involved in the project’s management.
Further information on the project can be found at https://restore4life.eu
Sustainability at KU
The KU has set itself the goal of integrating, living and continuously developing sustainability as an integral part of all areas of university life, teaching and research. In this context, the KU has a vision for a sustainable future: Ecological and social responsibility should go hand in hand for developing sustainable solutions that have a local and global impact. As a committed university, the KU therefore works closely with a wide range of partners in all areas of society and the economy. In its role as a pioneer, it also wants to be a role model and initiator for the successful implementation of the sustainability goals.