Governance of Wetlands in Italy-Croatia cross border region - GREW

GREW

March 01, 2024 until August 31, 2026

• Programme: Interreg VI-A Italy - Croatia 2021.-2027.
• Programme priority: Green and resilient shared environment
• Specific objective: 2.1 Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches
• Lead partner: IUAV University of Venice (Italy)
• Project duration: 01/03/2024 - 31/08/2026
• Project budget: 2.619.620,00 €
• EU co-financing: 2.095.696,00 €

PARTNERS:

• Riviera Friualana Community (IT)
• Ferrara Plain Reclamation Consortium (IT)
• Agency for Employment and Development of the North Barese / Ofantina area Soc.Cons. limited liability (IT)
• Public institution Natura Histrica (HR)
• Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County (HR)
• Zadar County Rural Development Agency - AGRRA (HR)
• Public Institution Brijuni National Park (HR)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:

Adriatic Sea and Coasts are acknowledged as a priority eco-region and contain major biodiversity hotspots. Specifically wetlands are complex ecosystems of paramount importance: they are considered among the most productive environments of the World, providing the resources upon which countless species of plants and animals depend and they perform important environmental and economic functions. Furthermore Wetlands reduce flooding events, improve water quality and represent a valuable cultural and natural heritage. In addition to its ecological value, the economic value of the biodiversity and the services it provides have been recognised. Coastal wetlands of Italy-Croatia cross-border region are facing severe impacts and consequent environmental modifications due to CC impacts. To cope with this open challenges a joint cross-border effort is needed as a “community of practice” represents a stronger response than isolated approaches. Exchanging and comparing strategies and solutions is a corner stone for adaptation to such a complexity as CC impacts in the area. Because of these threats, the management of wetlands and the protection of their biodiversity requires to overcome the sectorial and localised approach implemented until now and needs to tackle the problem from an eco-systemic point of view and an integrated approach.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:

• Developing joint CC adaptation strategies for coastal wetlands through an ecosystem-based approach engaging local stakeholders and administrations
• Developing joint solutions for implementing site-specific coastal wetland CC adaptation measures through an active involvement of local stakeholders and citizens, in order to demonstrate the added value of taking action in the framework of a a Wetland Contract and to build trust in such a governance approach
• Spreading the role and features of Weltland Contracts for CC adaptation through public events and capacity building initiatives at local and cross-border level

The project GREW networks 8 organizations (Riviera Friualana Community, Ferrara Plain Reclamation Consortium, Agency for Employment and Development of the North Barese / Ofantina area Soc.Cons. limited liability, Public institution Natura Histrica, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Zadar County Rural Development Agency - AGRRA and Public Institution Brijuni National Park) from 2 Programme countries.

Contribution from the EU co-financing and the Interreg Italy - Croatia programme.