BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

Wet and healthy peatlands have a strong natural potential to save carbon and, due to their water buffering capacity, play an important role in managing periods of excessive rains or droughts. Yet, in NWE regions large areas of peatlands are drained for peat mining, agriculture or forestry, which makes them CO2 emission sources rather than sinks. By restoring the capacity to buffer carbon and water, BUFFER+ partners aim at climate change adaptation and mitigation in NWE regions, while at the same time restore biodiversity and create new revenue streams. BUFFER+ involves 21 partners and 7 Associated Organisations from regions which represent all peatland types across NWE. Knowledge-based organisations, land management authorities, private companies, network facilitators and public authorities join their capacities and expertise, when building on previous projects’ results. Jointly they will work on: 1) Sustainably rewetting, restoring and preserving peatlands and shaping new landscapes to create buffers for carbon and water and increased biodiversity. 2) Developing new or scaling up existing business models, to boost sustainability transitions in order to mitigate and adapt to climate change, while stimulating a sustainable local economy. 3) Improving governance of peatlands by involving and engaging stakeholders from industry, academia, public authorities and citizens in decision-making processes and in taking responsibility for co-creation and scaling up of new found solutions. To realise this, partners apply and test new approaches like water farming, payments for ecosystem services, nature-based solutions to rewet and improve water quality and forming new peat. Ahead of a sales ban on peat-based potting soil, peat-free substrates will be developed. Biomolecular and biodiversity monitoring and testing digital twinning will be part of the new approaches as well, while also sharing expertise on cooperatives, and applying bottom-up community approaches.

Actual Achievements (EN):

In this period the focus was on getting the project started and organizing the kick-off, and writing the communication strategy together with all partners. Communication strategies were refined through feedback, emphasizing clear and accessible language tailored to regional contexts. Updates on project progress are shared through online partner meetings and website integration. Several BUFFER+ partners joined the Power to the Peatlands conference in Antwerp in September 2023 where they exchanged knowledge and ideas with the international peatland community. During the first BUFFER+ partner meeting in October 2023 the partners were introduced to the challenges and developments of Groeningen, the fen peatbelt around the city of Groningen, The Netherlands. On Wednesday, October 11, the BUFFER+ partners and several stakeholders left by bus to the peat areas 't Roegwold, the Onnerpolder and the Southern Westerkwartier to listen to and to discuss the plans for the peat meadow area, wet nature and peat restoration, collaboration through the Innovation workshop in Hellum and how nature development and water storage go well together. The municipalities, province and waterboards were involved, but also nature organisations and schools and universities spoke in the area about their work and the challenges that arise. Nowadays peatlands are mainly used for farming. Groningen aims at water infiltration and wet crops in Groeningen and explore the possibilities together with farmers. Westerkwartier and Hanzehogeschool cooperate on the Waterfarm as a new business model for peatlands. At the same time the peat restoration activities in the pilot areas have begun. Partners are in contact with local farmers and other landusers of the peatlands, who provide with information about their business models and soil and water systems. Bioclear Earth gathered information from four pilot sites determining the optimal scope of soil sampling and the precise number of samples required. BeeOdiversity set up a BeeOmonitoring system in three out of four planned sites, involving collaboration with partners and local beekeepers. Sampling kits were dispatched to beekeepers, and the collection of pollen samples took place over specific periods. Data on pesticides, heavy metals, and biodiversity were processed and shared through an online system. The first two periods' results were presented to the BUFFER+ community. HAEDES reviewed literature on wet/peatland ecosystems and restoration, analyzing case studies to establish a framework for the Digital Twin approach for the Belgian pilots. They partnered with Natuurpunt to build a data inventory for Belgian pilots and designed communication tools to aid regional authorities in discussions with stakeholders. UoV focussed on developing and testing processes to initiate and develop business models for landowners of peatlands, as well as for enterprises, farmers, and forestry. Ökowerk develops peat substitutes for horticultural substrates together with HTCL, HSEL, AC3A, CRAPDL, Bioclear and UoV and on turning this into a business model in cooperation with stakeholders (e.g. plant substrate producers, gardeners, farmers). Partners were actively engaged in all project partners' meetings and contributed to discussions regarding the development of new regional governance models aimed at facilitating a policy transition in peatlands. They started their stakeholder analysis and governance models activities, securing access to mapping data and the future cooperation of key stakeholders. In this reporting period the focus was on community engagement. During the partner meeting in Geel this was one of the main topics. But also in partner regions, e.g.many meetings with local stakeholders on the different restoration peat (meadow) pilots (WP1), working on new business models (WP2) and as part of the stakeholders analysis, governance modelling and innovation workplaces (WP3) there has been a lot of local involvement. Groningen partners organized dialogues focused on peatland transitions and conducted 4 expeditions involving farmers (young and established). and stakeholders in the value chain to gather essential insights on their perspectives on current and future scenarios. The UMR continued with the data collection and coordination for the stakeholder analysis and initiated a student’s project seminar on the topic of peatland protection and rewetting (as an inspiration event for young people). Activities on monitoring and digital twinning have also asked much attention and big steps were taken. Building on the experiences from the first reporting period, HAEDES, in close collaboration with the BUFFER+ partners, developed an initial rough version of a digital twin in the MIRAX program designed by HAEDES. In this first developing phase, collaboration was established with project partners from the province of West Flanders, with a particular focus on their project areas Beverhoutsveld and Romboutswervepolder. Through various meetings and in-depth discussions, the needs and wishes of the partners were identified. Additionally, the partners provided relevant information sources, such as data and maps. This information was then integrated into the MIRAX tool, which was further constructed. HAEDES presented the initial findings and progress at the partner meeting in Geel to the relevant/needed partners in this stage. During the two-day meeting, MIRAX was also introduced through bilateral discussions with other partners, including the province of Groningen in the Netherlands and AC3A in France. As a result, additional bilateral meetings where organised resulting in further development of the Digital Twin respective project zones as designated through the partners. With regard to BeeOmonitoring Period 2 focused on presenting and analyzing preliminary results from the 2023 monitoring of plant diversity and pollution at three pilot sites. A new BeeOmonitoring was successfully launched at a pilot site in Brittany. Training and preparation for new beekeepers were completed, and smaller kits for ongoing sites were distributed. Despite weather challenges impacting the first collecting period, progress continued, with pollen collected from Normandie, West Vlaanderen, and Groningen. Great process was made regarding the development of peat substitute for plant substrates Bioclear Earth contributed by sending molecular kits for soil sampling. Soil samples were collected from three different treatments: peat/peat-free substrate, reed/peat-free substrate, and autoclaved reed/peatfree substrate, all planted with Chinese cabbage. HTCL processed reed straw by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). They used 20 kg of pelletized reed from Ökowerk Emden to produce 50 liters of wet HTC-Product (humidity about 60%), which is similar to black peat. This was back to Ökowerk Emden in order to perform further tests. A cress-test in Emden with the wet material revealed a negative influence of some volatile ingredients. With dried material the results were better. The University of Vechta (UoV) designed a series of workshops aimed at entrepreneurs and stakeholders to explore and promote alternative uses of peatlands. These workshops are structured to provide a range of opportunities and insights for sustainable peatland utilization In addition, communication plans for each of the WPs have been set up and discussed and regular online meetings were organised on WP and project level to dive deeper into certain delievrables or topics. The website has been updated regularly and so have the social media channels. WP1: Restoration activities took place in the pilot areas: Natuurpunt placed dipwells for groundwater level monitoring. VLM got approval for the Uitkerse Polder pilot area by Flemish government and started the measurements needed for the expropriation procedure and the technical design. ProvWF worked on riverbank adjustments to prevent flooding and improve water availability and a groundwater monitoring network was installed to track water levels before and after interventions. ProvGroningen started the digital twin together with the waterboard, municipality and Haedes. Bioclear earth started soil sampling in the Roegwold nature reserve to assess how the duration of restoration influences microbial community assembly, soil health, and carbon fixation. BeeOdiversity collected and analyzed pollen from the pilot sites Normandy, WestVlaanderen, Groningen, and Brittany. SKDP made significant progress in terms of identifying a potential small pilot site as well as another large site on which we can develop a rewetting plan - returning the site from forestry back to its natural peatland state. This work has involved linking up with two crucial stakeholders in Udaras na Gaeltachta as well as Coillte and engaging with local community stakeholders in Forbart na Dromoda and the Waterville Anglers groups. Recently they have also engaged with Kerry County Council. TRT: the formation of strategic partnerships in the catchment was successful and TRT will now collaborate with Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal. CRAN: Beeomonitoring work has been carried out on the Grand Hazé marsh in the Orne department. The BUFFER+ partners work on an interactive database for landowners and governments to restore and use peatlands, building on the C-toolbox from the Interreg Project ‘Carbon Connects’. HAEDES focused on the further development of the digital twin for the pilot zones in both West-Vlaanderen (BEL) and the province of Groningen (NL) and developed a draft manual for measurement, data management and digital twinning for peatland restoration/ conservation. WP2 Analysis of key stakeholders for the development of PES. CRAN had meetings with farmers to update them on their current farming practices and adaptations, and their willingness to participate on the construction of a PSE for peatlands. A sector sheet has been drawn up on the reed sector. CRAB identified 93 farmers in the target area, and prepared the content for a meeting to identify farmers interested in testing PES. At the end of this reporting period, at least 5 farmers wish to commit to the BUFFER+ project. CAPDL worked mainly on identifying the players to be brought together to build a PES on the Erdre marshes, including farmers, local authorities (EDENN) and scientists for monitoring purposes. The 4 French BUFFER+ partners are pooling their efforts in 3 areas : the creation of a shared scientific advisory board for the 3 French pilot sites, the development of a common strategy for recruiting investors and their contribution to catalogues of alternative practices. ProvWF interviewed farmers with interest in water cattle farming and organized a carbon symposium to raise awareness of carbon compensation and foster collaborations between local farmers and businesses. Hanze, Westerkwartier and Midden-GR continued the expeditions in the agri-chain, drawing key conclusions and organizing a major stakeholder meeting. PP8: a verbal agreement with two peatland land owners was reached to provide their land and collaborate with the BUFFER+ project on a paludiculture pilot. A final selection will be made after further consultation with Mayo County Council and local agricultural advisors. PP2 analyzed the peat and substrate samples from Ökowerk’s experiment and conducted a microbial analysis as part of WP2. The experimental results were shared directly with Ökowerk and presented during the partner meeting in Emden. PP19: In a greenhouse experiment Chinese cabbage performed well on a substrate containing composted marine flotsam indicating that this material could serve as a peat substitute. Pelleted composted flotsam was sent to HTCL for HTC processing. CAPDL finalized the lab analysis of all material samples. At present, the most difficult part is mixing the hydrochar with the other non-peat elements of the soil (clay beads, coconut fiber, etc.). WP3 Focus is on learning and innovation, helping farmers adapt to changing conditions. Partners are intensifying communication efforts by highlighting the potential economic benefits of sustainable peatland management and tailoring the outreach strategies to the specific concerns of farmers. The University of Marburg worked on the stakeholder analyses and finished the data analyses. It also organized a brainstorm on governance models. In terms of communication and raising awareness: the partner meeting in Emden, the presentation at EUROSITE Annual Event and at the NWE meeting in Dublin created a lot of spin-off.

Project outputs: Jointly developed strategy and action plan for implementation of the different peatland restoring measures.(EN)
jointly developed and implemented site restorations and restoration plans (EN)
Solutions for restoring peatlands(EN)
Jointly developed strategy for the development of new business models in peatlands(EN)
Jointly developed and implemented pilots on new or upscaled business models and economic opportunities in peatlands(EN)
Solutions for novel entrepreneurship in wet peatlands(EN)
Jointly developed strategy on governance models for susainable peatlands(EN)
Website: http://bufferplus.nweurope.eu

Thematic information

Sustainable management of natural resources Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-B_NWE_1) Smart climate and environmental resilience for NWE territories

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

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: 064 Water management and water resource conservation (including river basin management, specific climate change adaptation measures, reuse, leakage reduction)

Partners (21)

Lead Partner: Provincie Groningen

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 984320111

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL0019.32.822.B01 | Kvk 0118023 | Provincie Groningen (EN)

Department: Nature

Address: Martinikerkhof, 9712 JG Groningen, Netherlands

Department address: Sint Jansstraat, 9712 JN Groningen, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.provinciegroningen.nl/

Total budget: EUR 921 502.23

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 552 901.33

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 368 600.90

Contractors:

Name: Reeleaf B.V
VAT registration or tax identification number: NL8526.23.409.B01
Name: Flextender
VAT registration or tax identification number: NL8500.13.148.B01

Hochschule Emden/Leer

Name: Hochschule Emden/Leer

Department: Faculty of Technology, Department Life Sciences

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 986039921

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE266112800 | tba | Higher education and research (EN)

Address: Constantiaplatz, 26723 Emden, Germany

Department address: Constantiaplatz , 26723 Emden, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.hs-emden-leer.de

Total budget: EUR 274 760.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 164 856.36

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 109 904.24

HTCL-Innovationsgesellschaft mbH

Name: HTCL-Innovationsgesellschaft mbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 61/207/04993 | DE315920798 | PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES (EN)

Address: Hessenweg, 49809 Lingen, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Total budget: EUR 192 338.75

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 115 403.25

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 76 935.50

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Stiftung Ökowerk Emden

Name: Stiftung Ökowerk Emden

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 884145010

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE258670045 | 14(012) | German foundation identification number (EN)

Address: Kaierweg , D-26721 Emden, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.oekowerk-emden.de

Total budget: EUR 541 037.15

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 324 622.29

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 216 414.86

Universität Vechta

Name: Universität Vechta

Department: Start-up Service TrENDi

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999882112

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE811339936

Address: Driverstraße, 49377 Vechta, Germany

Department address: Driverstrasse , 49377 Vechta, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.uni-vechta.de

Total budget: EUR 562 296.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 337 378.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 224 918.72

Province of West-Flanders

Name: Province of West-Flanders

Department: Spatial planning

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 934771541

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0207725696

Address: Koning Leopold III-laan, 8200 Sint-Andries (Brugge), Belgium

Department address: Koning Leopold III-laan , 8200 Sint-Andries (Brugge), Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.west-vlaanderen.be

Total budget: EUR 774 122.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 464 473.56

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 309 649.04

Contractors:

Name: iFlux
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE0683854156
Name: Verhegge Marc BV
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE0416189782
Name: Wombat
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE0546596483
Name: RSM Interaudit
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE0436391122

BeeOdiversity

Name: BeeOdiversity

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 905865638

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0848.557.582

Address: Avenue des Ajoncs, 1150 Brussel, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.beeodiversity.com

Total budget: EUR 274 332.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 164 599.32

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 109 732.88

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Contractors:

Name: MVC CONSULTING SPRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE 0899.197.819
Name: BKN CONSULTING sprl
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE 0715.853.763

HAEDES BV

Name: HAEDES BV

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 893660904

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0741.412.075

Address: Houtstraat , 9070 Destelbergen, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.haedes.eu

Total budget: EUR 647 446.11

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 388 467.66

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 258 978.45

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Vlaamse Landmaatschappij

Name: Vlaamse Landmaatschappij

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 954725702

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0236.506.685

Address: Koning Albert II – laan , 1210 Brussel, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.vlm.be

Total budget: EUR 383 545.09

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 230 127.05

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 153 418.04

Natuurpunt Beheer vzw

Name: Natuurpunt Beheer vzw

Department: Dienst Planning & Projecten

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935368091

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0409423736 | 409423736

Address: Coxiestraat, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium

Department address: Coxiestraat, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.natuurpunt.be

Total budget: EUR 1 179 433.90

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 707 660.34

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 471 773.56

Contractors:

Name: BELGIAN INSTRUMENTATION Produ.
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE0478957591
Name: Be Consult bv
VAT registration or tax identification number: BE1004332555

La Chambre d’agriculture des Pays de la Loire

Name: La Chambre d’agriculture des Pays de la Loire

Department: Innovation, biodiversity and water

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 939499903

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 76 184 401 354

Address: Rue André-Brouard CS 70510, 49105 ANGERS CEDEX 01, France

Department address: Rue André-Brouard CS 70510, 49105 ANGERS CEDEX 01, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.pays-de-la-loire.chambres-agriculture.fr

Total budget: EUR 229 047.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 137 428.68

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 91 619.12

La Chambre d’agriculture de Bretagne

Name: La Chambre d’agriculture de Bretagne

Department: Innovation, research & development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 921164963

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 34 183 500 016

Address: Rue Maurice le Lannou, 35000 Rennes, France

Department address: Rue Maurice le Lannou, 35000 Rennes, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.chambres-agriculture-bretagne.fr/

Total budget: EUR 197 633.08

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 579.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 79 053.24

La Chambre d’agriculture de Normandie

Name: La Chambre d’agriculture de Normandie

Department: Innovation, Research and Development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 942969884

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 01 181 400 052

Address: Rue des Roquemonts CS 45346, 14053 CAEN Cedex 4, France

Department address: Rue des Roquemonts CS 45346, 14053 CAEN Cedex 4, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://normandie.chambres-agriculture.fr/

Total budget: EUR 181 928.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 156.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 72 771.20

Association des Chambres d'Agriculture de l'Arc Atlantique

Name: Association des Chambres d'Agriculture de l'Arc Atlantique

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 948663008

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N/A | 407 566 934 | SIREN number (EN)

Address: Rue P.A. Bobierre - La Géraudière, 44939 NANTES, France

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://ac3a.fr

Total budget: EUR 378 278.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 226 966.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 151 311.20

Patchview Designated Activity Company

Name: Patchview Designated Activity Company

Department: Ireland team

Partner’s ID if not PIC: Not available yet | 709801 | Company registration number (EN)

Address: Somerton , K36 R578 Donabate, Ireland

Department address: Somerton, K36 R578 Donabate, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://theriverstrust.org

Total budget: EUR 780 288.89

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 468 173.33

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 312 115.56

South Kerry Development Partnership CLG

Name: South Kerry Development Partnership CLG

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935440065

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5895100R | CHY10567 | Charity Registration Number (EN)

Address: West Main Street, V23 P981 Cahersiveen, Ireland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.southkerry.ie/

Total budget: EUR 312 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 187 344.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 124 896.00

Philipps-Universität Marburg

Name: Philipps-Universität Marburg

Department: Geography

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999848938

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE112590692

Address: Deutschhausstraße, 35032 Marburg, Germany

Department address: Deutschhausstraße, 35032 Marburg, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.uni-marburg.de

Total budget: EUR 575 334.08

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 345 200.44

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 230 133.64

Hanzehogeschool Groningen

Name: Hanzehogeschool Groningen

Department: Research Group Sustainable Cooperative Entrepreneurship (SCE)

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 996747848

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 801441213B01

Address: Zernikeplein, 9747 AS Groningen, Netherlands

Department address: Zernikeplein, 9747 AS Groningen, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.hanze.nl/ondernemen

Total budget: EUR 188 496.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 113 098.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 75 398.72

Gemeente Midden-Groningen

Name: Gemeente Midden-Groningen

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL 8255 61 383 B.01

Address: Gorecht-Oost, 9603 AE Hoogezand, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.midden-groningen.nl/

Total budget: EUR 351 574.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 210 944.64

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 140 629.76

Gemeente Westerkwartier

Name: Gemeente Westerkwartier

Department: Physical Space Domain

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL825779315B01 | KvK: 73552208 | Chamber of Commerce (EN)

Address: Tolberterstraat, 9351 BJ Leek, Netherlands

Department address: Tolberterstraat, 9351 BJ Leek, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.westerkwartier.nl/

Total budget: EUR 336 021.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 201 613.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 134 408.72

Bioclear earth B.V.

Name: Bioclear earth B.V.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 996843490

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL009498497B01 | 02044410

Address: Rozenburglaan, 9727 DL Groningen, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://bioclearearth.nl/

Total budget: EUR 461 303.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 276 782.16

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 184 521.44

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

HTCL-Innovationsgesellschaft mbH

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Foundation Ökowerk Emden

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Hochschule Vechta

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Provincie West-Vlaanderen

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

BeeOdiversity

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

HAEDES BV

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM)

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Natuurpunt

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Agriculture of Brittany

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Agriculture of Normandy

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Association of Chambers of Agriculture of the Atlantic Arc

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Patchview Designated Activity Company

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

South Kerry Development Partnership CLG

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Philipps-Universität Marburg

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Midden-Groningen

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Westerkwartier

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Bioclear earth

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Partners and Projects info

Province of Groningen

BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million

Project name (EN): BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

Project acronym: BUFFER+

Project ID: NWE0100014

Project start date: 2023-07-01

Project end date: 2027-09-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Carbon Connects, CARE-PEAT and CANAPE (EN) | These are three previous, and partly still ongoing INTERREG projects under the NWE and NSR programmes, dealing with the three main topics of climate proof peatlands: restoration and conservation, paludiculture and peatlands use in combination with livestock. They provided a review of existing peatland restoration strategies and approaches and identified four key business models supporting the sustainable management of peatlands: carbon credits, payments for ecosystem services, paludiculture and renewable energy.
Their main output is a comprehensive ToolBox comprising all the results, including those of LIFE Pennine Peat and the INTERREG A Green Economy project. The ToolBox provides information and practical advice for revegetation, increasing water quality, and managing flood risk. In addition, it gives access to detailed information about crop species for wet conditions, with possible solutions researched and, in some cases, also small-scale trialled. BUFFER+ will complete this. Finally, the partnerships started to set up a European Peatland Management network for interested organisations to become a member.
Their final recommendations for the next steps are related to upscaling rewetting actions, developing long-term resilient business models and mainstreaming and communicating peatland governance in the relevant areas and at all levels of policy and society. The BUFFER+ three WPs are shaped to realise these recommendations. In our partnership representatives of these previous projects are taking part, among which Natuurpunt who will engage as the leader of WP1, dealing with large scale peat restoration and peat forming pilot actions. AC3A will lead the partners cooperating in WP2, where new business models are at stake. Finally, UMR is in charge of leading WP3 to supporting the partners to shape their new governance arrangements on regional as well as transnational levels. Here we will also continue and further develop the European Peatland Management network. (EN), Carbon Connects Capitalisation Initiative (EN) | In the beginning of 2021, the CConnects partnership was approved for a capitalisation initiative. It was aimed to expand the impact of the CConnects projects by incorporating market actors as a new target group and to develop a peatland market ecosystem.
The CConnects Capitalisation project established a market accelerator board, consisting of a diverse stakeholder group including economic, scientific and agriculture experts who provide feedback on the activities of the Capitalisation Initiative, in particular with regard to creating materials for accelerating project initiation. This includes methodology sets, an investor package and story maps which outline success cases.
Currently, a guideline for project stakeholders is being developed to provide stakeholders an overview of funding structures for peatland protection by region. These materials provide important input for the design of the pilot projects of Buffer+ regarding funding opportunities, pitfalls and business models. The BUFFER+ partnership will involve the market accelerator board in their WP2 activities and use the CConnects Capitalisation material for informing partners in their pilots. In addition, they will involve stakeholders from CConnects in events such as their conferences as well as project related meetings and workshops to transfer key findings of CConnects Capitalisation. (EN), LIFE Peat Restore (EN) | Partners from Poland, Germany and the Baltic states cooperated in the LIFE funded climate mitigation project “Peat Restore” from 2016 – 2022. To estimate the climate effect of their restoration measures they compared two ways of measurements: the direct GHG emission measurements collected in the field and indirect evaluations using proxy parameters, such as vegetation composition and mean water level.
One of these indirect approaches is the Greenhouse Gas Emission Site Type measurement (GEST). It is based method, which is based on GHG emissions obtained from direct measurements in sites of similar vegetation and conditions. They confirm that the GEST is a recommended approach to broadly estimate the fluxes of GHG in rewetted. Data collected on water level, chemical properties, species composition, prevailing vegetation cover and direct GHG emission measurements for model validation has improved knowledge on the GEST approach, and allowed for more accurate predicting and modelling of peatland restoration.
Compared to direct GHG measurements, the GEST approach is less expensive and time consuming; therefore, it is more attractive to be used on a wider scale. They also found that the GEST approach is most suitable for initial and long-term carbon reduction reporting after rewetting, in particular where direct measurements are not possible. Through their measurements in WP1, both Bioclear earth and BeeOdiversity will provide data for such measurements.
Next to the handbook, the Peat Restore partnership recommends to boost the quest for and development of alternatives for peat extraction, since it does not make sense to demand the cessation of peat use without peat alternatives. In The BUFFER+ WP2 this will be one of the important topics to cooperate on. (EN), Saline Farming (SALFAR) (EN) | ProvGroningen, VLM and Ökowerk together with 10 other partners cooperated in the INTERREG NSR project SALFAR. The project was finished in April 2022 and had a focus on climate change adaptation by developing alternatives for production in agriculture. They looked into innovative methods of saline farming and creating new business strategies and opportunities for farmers, food producers and entrepreneurs. Among others they cooperated on developing soil conditioners and peat substitutes. Led by BUFFER+ partner Ökowerk, they delivered a soil conditioner based on bladder wrack. Another soil conditioner was made from recycled green waste materials. By further developing peatless substrates from peat paludiculture crops, the BUFFER+ partners tap and further develop the SALFAR results. (EN), Source to Tap (EN) | The Rivers Trust (All-Ireland) was centrally involved in the INTERREG VA Source to Tap project. A key focus for the Source to Tap project was to investigate techniques for restoring formerly afforested peatland, which then can be used to benefit drinking water quality in source drinking water catchments. Water from healthy, intact peat bogs requires less treatment, as it is well filtered by the Sphagnum moss. When the bog is damaged, more carbon seeps into the water, colouring it and requiring costly treatment processes. Two methods were trialled: Cell Bunding and Drain Blocking Peatlands for Water. TRT will contribute learnings from these previous peatland pilots to the project partners in BUFFER+ in WP1 in relation to re-wetting on the basis of Nature based Solutions and WP2 regarding the development of payment for ecosystem services. (EN), SIRR: Sustainability, Innovation and Resilience in Rural Areas (EN) | SIRR is an Interreg NSR 2021-2027 project dealing with developing multi-helix structures to foster resilient economies in rural areas. The four countries involved in the project are France, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Through a diverse partnership, innovation processes will be promoted and developed in each region and cross-nationally. On the one hand, the SIRR consortium can add to the ideas of peatland alternative uses, including resilient business models involving peatland areas. On the other hand, the results of SIRR concerning different multi-helix structures can deliver insights to beneficial governance structures and hence feed back positively to the BUFFER+ outcomes. (EN), RAMSAR (EN) | The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Since then, almost 90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”. The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
The Zwin Nature Reserve in Flanders is a Ramsar reserve. https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/328. Within the province of West-Flanders other Ramsar areas are present as well, such as the Ijzerbroeken (Diksmuide) that are relevant for BUFFER + (wet and peat rich). ProvW-F is currently working on establishing a closer cooperation between the Ramsar areas Ijzerbroeken and Le Marais Audomarois (Fr). The lessons learned within BUFFER+ will benefit this process and vice versa. (EN), European Peatlands Initiative (EN) | In October 2022, the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service published an exploratory study about de benefits of a European peatlands network, thus responding to an appeal at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference to investigate whether such network could improve the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of peatlands. More than 150 peatlands experts and practitioners from over 15 countries across Europe advocated a unified and coherent voice for peatlands, backed by science and governments.
According to the survey, more viable solutions for farmers and landowners are necessary for long-term economic incentives at large-scale pilot sites. These are the core objectives in the BUFFER+ WPs 1 and 2. WP1 has a focus on large scale peat restoration activities in NL, BE, and IE and on implementation plans to be realised once the BUFFER+ project is finished. WP2 is directed to develop business opportunities for farmers and other land users, enabling them to earn their living and thus to sustain working on rewetted peatlands.
Furthermore, a common vision is demanded for the sustainable management of peatlands and coordinated actions across organisations. To this end, a government-supported network should be established to grow political awareness, identify and help unlock large-scale funding, and drive knowledge exchange on all levels. This process is supported through the activities in the BUFFER+ WP3, and in particular through the ELO as an associated organisation. They are involved in a EUKI project in which they will establish the European Peatland initiative, upscale the global peatland database, support national peatland strategies and raise awareness for specific stakeholder groups.
In addition, an integrative approach to peatlands is advocated for, with multi-stakeholder collaborations towards an transparent, cross-sectoral and open to all stakeholder levels dialogue. With its quadruple helix involvement, the BUFFER+ partnership meets this demand. (EN), Global and European peat and climate and policies (EN) | At international level, most conventions only indirectly cover peatlands. However, the Ramsar Convention, the Global Peatlands Initiatives and the International Mire Conservation Group are in place to try and fill this gap. BUFFER+ in its communication at project level, is going to associate with both, in order to mutually exchange ideas, approaches and insights.
At EU level, there are already quite powerful policies, however not specifically targeted to peatland. E.g., the EU WFD, requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters. Also, the EU Green Deal can be beneficial to climate change adaptation and mitigation. This counts for the LULUCF Regulation as well, in particular since the deal reached on the EU law regulating CO2 removals from forestry and land use in November 2022, under which member states will be assigned a carbon budget for 2026 to 2029 and a trajectory of indicative, annual values on removals and emissions.
As to carbon farming, the Commission has already promoted this approach in its recommendations on the Member States’ CAP Strategic Plans. The legislative proposal to develop a regulatory framework for certifying carbon removals still has to be published. In the Farm to Fork Strategy, the sustainable carbon cycles already were set out to communicate a green business model that rewards land managers for taking up practices leading to carbon sequestration.
Overall, there are still (parts of) policies counteracting each other. For instance, the EU CAP still supports the drainage of peatlands, which is not in tune with the Water Framework Directive, Natura 2000, climate change mitigation and biodiversity action. Of course, BUFFER+ will not change these contradictions immediately. But within the next five years, the partners will champion improvement for the benefit of peatlands, using their own networks and with the support of their associated organisations. (EN), National and regional peat and climate policies (EN) | The five countries in the BUFFER+ partnership show remarkable differences.Through their transnational cooperation, partners will gain momentum for the value and benefits of healthy peatlands.
In Belgium, there is no strategy directed to peat directly. However, for biodiversity reasons there are initiatives on a nature reserve scale embedded in nature restoration schemes from the Flemish government. In the climate change policy, peat in itself is not an objective, but Belgium stimulates organizations and governments to take significant steps for restoration of these systems.
France integrated its peatlands policy into the national and subnational strategic plans for wetlands, with implementation being realized by local initiatives that are particularly effective in reaching stakeholders.
Germany released its first National Peatland Protection Strategy in 2021, after diverse German states had already developed their regional peatland programmes. The strategy is targeted to restoration and sustainable management of drained peat soils, along with the protection of intact peatlands. It is addressed to all relevant stakeholders and built on cooperative approaches.
Ireland has a long tradition as to peatland protection. In 2020, the National Peatlands Strategy was drafted. It gives direction to Ireland’s approach to peatland management and how to optimise the benefits derived from the peatland resource over the coming decades. It also introduces the term eco-system services to describe the range of benefits that peatlands provide for human well-being.
The Netherlands, the peatland strategy is targeted to the rural peat meadow areas. It stems from the 2019 Dutch climate agreement to reduce CO2 emissions for the Dutch peatland area. The task is broken to the provinces, each developing their targeted Peatland Strategy. The process will be realised with the water boards and will include farming organisations, nature and environmental organisations and the broader public. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 9 742 961.88

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 5 845 777.09

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 5 845 777.09. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.1 - Peat restoration/forming in Grote Netewoud - EUR 290 000.00 - country: Belgique/België (BE), town: Meerhout, street: Watermolen, 7, postal_code: 2450 , Prov. Antwerpen (BE21), Arr. Antwerpen (BE211)
I1.2 - Rewetting and removal of unnatural drainage Kevie - EUR 179 000.00 - country: Belgique/België (BE), town: Tongeren, street: Oude Blaarstraat, 3, postal_code: 3700, Prov. Limburg (BE) (BE22), Arr. Tongeren (BE223)
I1.5 - Rewetting measures in Romboutswerve - EUR 350 000.00 - country: Belgique/België (BE), Prov. West-Vlaanderen (BE25), Arr. Brugge (BE251)
I1.6 - Accelerated peat growth measures in Beverhoutsveld - EUR 150 000.00 - country: Belgique/België (BE), Prov. West-Vlaanderen (BE25), Arr. Brugge (BE251)

Deliverables:

Joint plan of approach
Interactive data base of natural specifications and measures chosen
Draft manual for measurement, data management and digital twinning for peatland restoration
Preparation for the implementation of restoration measures
Monitoring and evaluation restoration measures
Realisation of concrete peat restoration/forming measures in Grote Netewoud, BE
Realisation of peat restoration and removal of unnatural drainage Kevie, BE
Realisation of peat restoration through changing the water management of the Oudlandpolder, BE
Realisation of peat restoration through re-wetting and Natural Flood Management in Ineshowen, IE
Realisation of peat restoration through measures in Romboutswerve, BE
Realisation of peat restoration through peat growth measures in Beverhoutsveld, BE
Manual for measurement, data management and digital twinning for peatland restoration
A strategy for a new long-term management plan for peatlands
Five detailed restoration plans
Small scale pilot projects
Joint monitoring agreement of natural conditions
Soil and microbial analysis and monitoring at 4 pilot sites by Bioclear earth.
Biodiversity monitoring details of 4 pilot sites by
BeeOdiversity.
WP1 communication plan
WP1 communication activities and tools
Community approaches and innovation methods
Report on results and findings and launching the
replication of the approach
Targeted training for site managers
Planned uptake of approaches in 5 other sites of
NWE region
Joint plan of approach
Joint feasibility study for new value chains
Prototype of a peatland business modelling process
2 German test locations trialled
Outroll of modelling process (Train the trainer)
Roadshow
Suitable plant materials
HTC set-up and experiments
Plant growth experiments
Market study report
Safety and regulations assessment report
Catalogue with alternative wet crops
Harvesting methodologies of successfully grown wet crops
Catalogue of alternative cattle breeding in peatland
Strategic set-up and action plan
PES implementation methodology
WP2 communication plan
WP2 communication activities and tools
Upscaling pilots
Joint approach paper
A stakeholder analysis report
Governance and policy guideline
Regional stakeholder workshops
Improved governance models
Inspiration events for young farmers, entrepreneurs
and students
BUFFER+ Communication strategy
BUFFER+ Communication Toolkit
WP3 Communication Plan
BUFFER+ Kick Off Conference
Partner meetings
Dissemination of progress of results to a broad
audience
Communication tools
BUFFER+ final conference
Upscaled or uptake of pilots
Contribute to European Peatlands Initiative (and
other EU networks)

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Belgique/België (BE), Brugge
Éire/Ireland (IE), Clonmany

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

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:

Programme Result Indicator:

PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-09-24

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

742 / 742 (100%)

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BUFFER carbon + water in peatlands: landscape-based solutions for climate adaptation

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Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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