The Horizon Europe SpongeWorks project successfully concluded its Open Call, receiving an outstanding 70+ proposals from European regions and organisations eager to implement Nature-based Solutions that promote natural water retention, known as “sponge measures”. This strong response underlines the rising recognition of “sponge measures” as a crucial tool for climate adaptation, mitigating floods and droughts, and addressing soil degradation.
Funded by Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), SpongeWorks is a 4-year, €15 million initiative promoting the adoption of “sponge measures” and their large-scale integration into landscapes through “sponge strategies”.
An apple orchard in the Pinios river basin, where sponge measures like mulching will be implemented. The experience of the 3 SpongeWorks demonstrators will be shared with the 8 Associated Regions.
The project focuses on 3 large-scale demonstrator basins—Lèze (France), Pinios (Greece), and Vecht (Netherlands/Germany)—where 19 different sponge measures are being implemented across 4,000 hectares of land and 47 kilometers of river. The enthusiastic response to the Open Call signals a strong appetite for replicating and upscaling sponge measures across Europe.
Next Steps: Guiding 8 Regions in Sponge Strategy Development
Aiming to upscale SpongeWorks outcomes beyond its 3 demonstrators, 8 associated regions will now be selected to receive targeted support of up to €100,000 in developing customised sponge strategies tailored to their local landscapes and their particular challenges in terms of soil and water management, and climate resilience.
The SpongeWorks team will provide these regions with:
- Strategic planning support: Institutions will receive guidance in drafting sponge action plans and proposals, and integrating them into existing policies and management frameworks.
- Technical assistance: Experts will guide local authorities, natural resource managers, and land planners in assessing needs, and using accurate modelling tools to select suitable sponge measures.
- Financial expertise: SpongeWorks will provide hydro-economic modelling tools to help regions assess economic costs and benefits, as well as identify relevant funding opportunities.
- Capacity-building and training: Associated regions will benefit from workshops, on the ground experiences, and tailored knowledge-sharing.
By providing hands-on technical support, financial guidance, and governance expertise, we look forward to working with selected regions to turn interest into action, to implement and upscale sponge measures effectively.
Blaise Dhont, OiEau, Lead for SpongeWorks’ outreach to Associated Regions.
These efforts will empower regional governments, land managers, and water authorities to design, implement, and sustain sponge strategies, contributing to Europe-wide climate resilience.
About SpongeWorks
SpongeWorks is a leading Horizon Europe initiative in nature-based climate adaptation, bringing together 28 partners and 23 knowledge institutions. The project is developing practical, scalable solutions for sponge measure implementation which address critical questions about effectiveness, financing, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
The amazing response to the SpongeWorks Open Call confirms that regions across Europe are keen to embrace sponge measures and strategies at scale.
Christian Albert, SpongeWorks Coordinator, Leibniz University Hannover.
