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Through the SpongeWorks Associated Regions programme, 8 European regions will be selected and receive support to enhance the sponge function of their landscapes, improving water retention, soil health, and climate resilience.
Up to €100,000 for each region in grant funding will support the development and implementation of innovative sponge measures and strategies tailored to their territory.
Eligible actions include:
Evaluation and analysis
- Assess existing sponge measures already implemented in the associated region.
Implementation of sponge measures
- Restore and maintain rivers, lakes, aquifers, connected wetlands, and oxbow lakes.
- Reconnect and restore floodplains, disconnected meanders, and remove riverbank protections.
- Restore and maintain meadows, pastures, buffer strips, and shelter belts.
- Apply soil conservation and improvement practices (e.g., crop rotation, intercropping, conservation tillage).
- Afforest upstream catchments or enhance urban greening, including green cover, mulching, and targeted planting for rainwater infiltration.
- Implement urban water management solutions like green roofs, rainwater harvesting, permeable paving, swales, soakaways, rain gardens, detention basins, retention ponds, and urban channel restoration.
Strategic development
- Co-develop integrated sponge strategies.
- Develop financing plans for implementing sponge measures and strategies.
Community building
- Participate in SpongeWorks events and workshops.
- Establish local or national sponge communities of practice.
Engagement and support activities
- Support social media campaigns, workshops, webinars, training sessions, and participate in SpongeWorks landmark events.
- Conduct stakeholder consultations and foster citizen involvement and engagement.
