Reducing light pollution in the NSR contributing to biodiversity and dark ecological corridors
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North SeaDescription
Thematic information
Priority: (VI-B_NS_3) Priority 3: A climate resilient North Sea region
Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution
Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility
Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure
Partners (14)
Lead Partner: Universite de Bretagne Occidentale
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR68192903466
Address: 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, 29200 Brest, France
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.univ-brest.fr
Total budget: EUR 791 472.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 474 883.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 316 589.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Landmakers Cooperatie U.A.
-
Name: Landmakers Cooperatie U.A.
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL862663490B01
Address: Tuorrebout 59, 9251TB Burgum, Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs
Website: http://www.holwerdaanzee.nl
Total budget: EUR 596 030.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 357 618.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 238 412.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
-
Name: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL001932706B01
Address: Broerstraat 5, 9712CP Groningen, Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.astro.rug.nl
Total budget: EUR 543 250.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 325 950.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 217 300.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Stichting Van Hall Larenstein
-
Name: Stichting Van Hall Larenstein
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL811083238B01
Address: Larensteinselaan 26A, 6882CT Velp, Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.hvhl.nl
Total budget: EUR 124 885.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 74 931.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 49 954.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Niedersachsen Ports GmbH + Co. KG
-
Name: Niedersachsen Ports GmbH + Co. KG
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE814172304
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 5, 26506 Norden, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Enterprise, except SME
Website: http://www.nports.de
Total budget: EUR 235 196.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 141 118.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 94 078.00
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER
- Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersaechsisches Wattenmeer
-
Name: Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersaechsisches Wattenmeer
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE815181684
Address: Virchowstrasse 1, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: http://www.nationalpark-wattenmeer.de
Total budget: EUR 178 417.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 107 050.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 71 367.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Gemeente Heerenveen
-
Name: Gemeente Heerenveen
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL823765908B01
Address: Crackstraat 2, 8441ES Heerenveen, Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.heerenveen.nl
Total budget: EUR 114 888.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 68 933.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 45 955.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Esbjerg Kommune
-
Name: Esbjerg Kommune
Partner’s ID if not PIC: EK 29189803
Address: Torvegade 74, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website (not verified): http://www.esbjerg.dk
Total budget: EUR 4 834.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 2 900.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 1 934.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg
-
Name: Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE246571598
Address: Finkenau 35, 22081 Hamburg, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Total budget: EUR 287 857.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 172 714.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 115 143.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg - Bezirksamt Altona
-
Name: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg - Bezirksamt Altona
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE118509725
Address: Jessenstrasse 1-3, 22767 Hamburg, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: https://www.hamburg.de/altona/
Total budget: EUR 260 375.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 156 225.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 104 150.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Common Wadden Sea Secretariat
-
Name: Common Wadden Sea Secretariat
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE811779398
Address: Virchowstr.1, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: International organisation, EEIG
Website: https://waddensea-worldheritage.org/
Total budget: EUR 113 741.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 68 245.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 45 496.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg
-
Name: Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE811184499
Address: Faculty VI Health Sciences and Medicine; Ammerländer Heerstr 114- 118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website (not verified): http://www.uni-olenburg.de/auw
Total budget: EUR 340 805.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 204 483.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 136 322.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Brest metropole
-
Name: Brest metropole
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR94242900314
Address: 24 rue Coat-ar-Guéven, 29200 Brest, France
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.brest.fr
Total budget: EUR 443 745.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 266 247.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 177 498.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
- Aarhus Universitet
-
Name: Aarhus Universitet
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DK31119103
Address: Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.phys.au.dk
Total budget: EUR 181 125.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 108 675.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 72 450.00
GBER schemes / de minimis:
Partners map
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million
Project acronym: DARKER SKY
Project ID: x8M9yrZ2M
Project start date: 2023-05-01
Project end date: 2026-10-31
Project status: ongoing
Relevant mentions and prizes:
- false
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 4 216 620.00
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 529 972.00
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%
Co-financing sources:
- ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 529 972.00. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Infrastructure investments:
- The technical requirements as well as the relevant permits can only be determined in the first year of the project. Since the municipality and residents are co-owners of the Holwerd aan Zee project, we do not expect any obstacles. - EUR 0.00 -
- These will be available when the details plans are being rolled out. - EUR 0.00 -
- No building permits needed, the technical requirements can be made available when elaborated. - EUR 0.00 -
- Regarding building permits, BA as landowner and responsible for infrastructure planning has a framework contract with public-owned Hamburger Traffic Facility Ltd. and will grant authorisations for construction. Purchase of luminaires and construction services will be tendered on a legal three-offer tender process. - EUR 0.00 -
- None, because the project partner BM is in charge of public lighting, construction permissions and is competent and qualified in this field of public policy. - EUR 0.00 -
- None, because the project partner BM is in charge of public lighting, construction permissions and is competent and qualified in this field of public policy. - EUR 0.00 -
Deliverables:
- Regional public communication events / Coordinated by MH and organised by regional pilot coordinators, 2 public communication events at pilot areas are organised. A first event takes place before pilot installation in 2024 to raise awareness and encourage municipal practitioners and citizens to actively take part in co-design, install and monitor envisaged light installations (A2.3-2.7). A second event in 2026 provide regional target groups with lighthouse examples for an uptake in municipal light infrastructure.
- Internal working meetings / A1.1 shall be deleted following the technical assessement
- Internal working meetings / A2.1 shall be deleted following the technical assessement
- Internal working meetings / A3.1 shall be deleted following the technical assessement
- 3D Modelling / 3D environments of 4 selected demonstrator sites (1x DE, 3x NL) (M10) are developed to support co-design/informed decision-making with stakeholders (A2.5). Coordinated by HAW, virtual reality is created from spatial data, imported into a game engine to combine digital maps with virtual elements. Tutorials + App-package provided by HAW to relevant project partners and target groups (public lighting planners) ensures capacity building (A2.3) and use of this innovative participation tool (A2.5).
- Transnational public awareness campaign / Coordinated by the project Communication Manager (CM) and based on communication material to be developed as outlined in the communication plan (M3), all project partners share news (website, social media, press releases) about and raise awareness of target groups on light pollution, to inform municipal planners and decision-makers on environmental impact and potentials to mitigate light pollution. Networks for exchange with experts for A1.3-1.6 and for active involvement of target groups in WP2 are built up in each partner region.
- Transnational public awareness campaigns / 1 mid-term transnational communication event and 1 NSR-wide light challenge will be organised in 2025. Besides awareness on ongoing project activities, target groups across the NSR will be provided with project outputs, lighthouse examples and networking opportunities for a roll-out of environmentally sound lighting solutions. Furthermore, the light challenge encourages citizens, entrepreneurs and municipalities to submit own innovate ideas to combat light pollution in public/private space.
- Policy Screening / Led by HAW, all project partners (PPs) analyse European, national and local policies and guidelines at the interface between light pollution and biodiversity. A report (M6) summarises relevant policy instruments for a potential uptake (A3.3, 3.5), applicable lighting norms, targeted standards and requirements for environmental sound lighting solutions. Exchange with associations (IDA, AFE, LiTG, NSVV) and A1.4 provide expertise on suitable technical/systemic solutions and financial models.
- Transnational Co-Design approach / Coordinated by RUG, designated regional pilot coordinators form the transnational pilot (TPCG) coordinators group (LP + one coordinator for demonstrator site: RUG, BM, HAW, NLPVW, LM). Besides developing a common co-design approach (M8) for community-based planning and evaluation in each partner region, the TCPG regular exchanges (digital meetings, study visits) on progress, challenges, success and NSR-wide transferability of demonstrator planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Regional roll-out of pilots and integration into spatial planning processes / Regional policies nature protection and lighting infrastructure are improved by co-developing cross-sectorial action plans for a regional roll-out of light reduction solutions and tangible steps for a policy uptake of environmentally-sound lighting infrastructure planning. Regular dialogue and 3 workshops/partner region with relevant decision-makers are established, providing knowledge, expertise and guidelines (WP1 +2 outputs) to identify and prioritise future intervention fields.
- Transnational Good Practice Exchange / Study visits to NSR Dark Sky Parks and initiatives, desk research and exchange with experts and policy makers on already implemented technical/systemic solutions, financial models and policy instruments considering light pollution will be used to develop and disseminate a Good Practice Report (M20), led by NLPVW. The GP-report aims at a) creating (financial) incentives and b) improve capacities for municipalities to plan and implement environmentally sound lighting solutions (A2.5).
- Assessment of demonstrator sites / Coordinated by UBO and regional pilot coordinators, 8 status-quo assessments of demonstrator sites (M14) regarding to light pollution, environmental habitat, and stakeholder needs is conducted. The latter includes identification of end-users, establishment of regional stakeholder groups as well as legal, technical and security standards to apply. All data feed into the co-design and implementation (A2.5, 2.6), as well as comparative analysis after demonstrator setup with results of A2.7 (A2.8).
- Cooperation with relevant initiatives / Coordinated by CWSS, all PPs initiate/deepen collaborations with initiatives to create multiplier effects for the development of transnational Dark Ecological Corridors. Already established networks: municipal communities (e.g. Lower Saxony, Friesland), Covenant of Mayors (e.g. Brest, Hamburg), projects (e.g. Biodiverse Cities, BEGIN, Noz Breizh), associations (e.g. IDA, LiTG, AFE, AITF), commissions (e.g. CIE, ISO), transnational networks (TWSC, UNESCO World Heritage Marine Programme).
- Light Pollution Mapping Framework / Coordinated by HAW, up-to-date methods and tools to measure, identify and monitor light pollution from different sources will be gathered to develop a common methodology approach (M6) for project pilots (A2.4, 2.7) and regional/transnational measures (A3.3, 3.5). Lighting design and engineering experts (HAW, CVO) bring in their expertise on light illumination measurements on the ground. Innovative sky brightness measurement methods will be provided by KID-project partners (RUG, CVO, AU).
- Co-Design lighting master plans with regional stakeholders / Coordinated by HAW, regional pilot coordinators organise 2 workshops per pilot area with regional stakeholders to co-design lighting solutions for selected demonstrator sites. The aim is to engage all relevant stakeholders and end-users with VR participation tools in selected pilot regions to balance legal/technical/security requirements, stakeholders' needs, end-user acceptance and environmental benefits, and co-develop feasible and environmentally sound lighting master plans.
- Identification of NSR Dark Ecological Corridors / Coordinated by CVO, supported by RUG and AU, NSR-wide sky brightness measurements and a GIS-based map is created and correlated with radar data analysis on migrating birds to prove effects of ALAN on fauna. Results will feed into policy processes and expert groups, such as the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative, Trilateral Governmental Council, EU Zero-Pollution Action Plan, Covenant of Mayors (A3.4) for strategical intervention for creating/strengthening NSR dark ecological corridors (WP3 output 2).
- Ecological Effects Monitoring Framework / Coordinated by UBO, and supported by environmental experts (VHL, RUG) a common monitoring protocol (M7) for each demonstrator site and habitat (marine and terrestrial) will be developed. The new focus on effects ALAN on diurnal/nocturnal taxa groups and species improves current biodiversity assessment approaches and shall widely disseminated to leading scientific platforms, such as BiodivERsA Partnership, IPBES Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, JPI Oceans.
- Pilot Installation / Based on the master plans (A2.5), regional pilot coordinators coordinate the work of engineers, electricians, and responsible lighting infrastructure planners with regard to the installation of 8 selected light solutions in 5 partner regions (2x FR, 4x NL, 2x DE). As ownership of all sites is held by project partners (see section on Infrastructure investments), required permits for construction and regulations for maintenance are organised by related partners.
- NSR-wide light pollution knowledge hub / Coordinated by LM, input by all PPs, DARKER SKY uses the Wadden Sea World Heritage Exchange Platform for setting up a light pollution knowledge hub. Results, methods, tools shall be presented in tailored formats (fact sheets, video tutorials, guidelines, thematic sections) to provide municipal practitioners, policy makers + entrepreneurs across the NSR with expert knowledge on planning procedures, light reduction solutions, measuring/monitoring methods, light pollution maps, and networking.
- Pilot Monitoring / Coordinated by UBO and regional pilot coordinators, all 8 installations (A2.6) are monitored (M34) regarding light illumination, sky brightness effects and environmental impact (based on WP1 output). UBO acts as a sounding bord and adapts with partners he common monitoring protocol (A1.6) to local specificities (incl. site visits). In addition to research partners, citizen science and trainings (Friesland, Brest) will involve and build capacities of non-experts into the monitoring process.
- Pilot evaluation framework / Coordinated by RUG, a common evaluation scheme (M10) with regard to all demonstrators will be developed. Results of A1.5 and 1.7 will feed into the evaluation framework. The aim of the scheme to be used in A2.8 is to provide an analytical multi-method framework to assess the overall success of pilots with regard to technical, regulatory, financial application, stakeholder needs and user-acceptance and the environmental impact of implemented light reduction solutions as basis for replication.
- Final Dissemination Event / A final dissemination event with regional, national and European policy and decision-makers from ministries, public authorities, associations, NGOs, initiatives as well as other practitioners and citizens active in lighting planning, nature protection and biodiversity assessment provides awareness, knowledge transfer and networking opportunities to further activate collaborations and initiatives beyond the project lifetime. Led by the PM-Team, all PPs contribute with input + joint presentations.
- Pilot evaluation / Coordinated by RUG, conducted by regional pilot coordinators/partners, following the framework of A1.7, the overall success and challenges regarding technical, regulatory, financial application, user-acceptance and environmental impact will be evaluated. Analysis of data from A2.4-2.7 and survey of user-acceptance will feed into a cross-regional evaluation report (M37) with recommendations for decision-makers for planning and constructing environmentally sound lighting solutions.
- Synthesis report / To ensure cross-regional transferability beyond the partnership and inform experts and the wider public, pilot evaluation results will be translated into non-technical and easy-to-understand messages. Several fact sheets on different aspects of planning, implementing and monitoring environmentally sound lighting solutions will form a compendium of key findings and recommendations to be widely communicated (A3.2 - 3.7). Coordinated by LM, all partners feed their expertise.
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- Within the action "Environment and Oceans", DARKER SKY contributes to the key area "protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems" by introducing sustainable approaches with regard to public lighting infrastructure aiming at reducing light pollution for the benefit of nature and the humankind.
- Although light pollution as a main stressor for biodiversity loss is not (yet) considered in the Strategy, the European Parliament resolution (2020/2273(INI) calls on the Commission to set an ambitious reduction target for 2030 on the use of outdoor artificial light and to propose guidelines on how artificial light at night can be reduced by the Member States (cf § 128). DARKER SKY contributes with Best Practices and Lighthouse Demonstrators.
- The action plan is one of the very few policy instruments at EU level directly mentioning light pollution. Key results from EU-funded R&I projects shall be considered in upcoming 'Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook' reports. DARKER SKY will contribute by providing updated light pollution maps on regional and NSR level linking marine and coastal environments.
- The CMS resolution 13.5 endorses National Light Pollution Guidelines for some groups of migratory wildlife. With a view to complementing those guidelines, the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) agreed upon and adoption of those guidelines on how to effectively avoid and mitigate the indirect/direct negative effects of light pollution for those taxa not yet in the focus. DARKER SKY contributes with new monitoring data for insects and migrating birds both on local/regional and NSR level.
- The revised GPP gives attention to reducing light pollution, lessening energy consumption, and improving overall durability of fixtures. Although not a binding law, it advises stakeholders on new lighting installations, retrofitting of different luminaires, light sources, or controls in existing installations, and simple replacements. DARKER SKY can provide up-to-date knowledge and guidelines on environmentally sound lighting techniques and systems.
Programme Common Output Indicator:
-
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
Delivered output indicator(s):
- (RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 256
- (RCO84) Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects: 756
Programme Common Result Indicator:
-
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
-
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:
Delivered result indicator(s):
- (RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 9
- (RCR104) Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations: 8
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North Sea
Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme
2025-02-03
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
65 / 65 (100%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
791 / 791 (100%)
Notes on the data