Upscaling the natural sponge functions of freshwater ecosystems to deliver multi-benefit green deal solutions

ongoing

The project “SpongeBoost - upscaling the natural sponge functions of freshwater ecosystems to deliver multi-benefit Green Deal solutions” gathered a consortium of 10 partners from 7 European countries with interdisciplinary backgrounds in research, policy and management, to collect and recommend the best solutions for effectively increasing or restoring the natural water retention function of the landscape. By compiling available knowledge and best practice tools, combined with adapting and testing new innovative approaches, a roadmap will be developed to engage regions and communities in active implementing of transformative measures to improve resilience to extreme events. By synthesising knowledge for policy-making, hands-on restoration, and adaptive land-use planning, as well as showcasing successful examples of sponge restoration and the multifunctional benefits, stakeholders from the local to the European scale will be engaged and supported in implementing cost-effective and innovative solutions for restoring the sponge function of soils in wetlands and groundwater surface water systems. The active participation in development and testing ensures that innovative solutions are moved closer to the market. Thus, SpongeBoost will contribute to achieving the ambitious targets of the EU Climate Change Adaptation Mission and its Implementation Plan to maximize climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity and other societal benefits from nature-based solution. SpongeBoost consortium members are involved in various restoration projects and work closely with relevant actors promoting networking and knowledge exchange and creating synergies at regional level and across all regions of Europe. They contribute to SpongeBoost's overarching goal of making a lasting positive impact on sponge restoration for climate change adaptation.