Improving urban climate change adaptation capacities by testing and promoting the ‘sponge city’ methodology on transnational level
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B DanubeDescription
Local 'Sponge City' Action plans elaborated, peer-reviewed by project partners and citizens, and endorsed (EN)
Elaborating, testing, finetuning and spreading Sponge City Toolbox for improved hydroclimatic monitoring and planning innovative, ecosystem-based water retention measures in urban areas(EN)
Implementing small-scale demonstration investments in HU, RO, HR and SI with citizen involvement (co-designing, testing) to test the local action plans, the toolbox and showcase sponge city actions(EN)
Transnational knowledge on the construction and effectiveness of rain gardens under different hydrogeological conditions(EN)
Thematic information
Priority: (VI-B_D_2) Priority 2 - A greener, low- carbon Danube Region
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: 060 Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: others, e.g. storms and drought (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches)
Partners (13)
Lead Partner: Pécsi Tudományegyetem
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 19308681-2-02
Department: Directorate of Grants, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and IT
Address: Vasvári P, 7622 Pécs, Hungary
Department address: Szántó Kovács János , 7633 Pécs, Hungary
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://international.pte.hu/
Total budget: EUR 210 550.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 168 440.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 42 110.00
- E-zavod
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Name: E-zavod
Department: N/A
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI-46683518
Address: Čučkova, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia
Department address: Čučkova, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.ezavod.si
Total budget: EUR 108 900.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 87 120.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 21 780.00
- Asociatia de Dezvoltare Intercomunitara Judetul Satu Mare
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Name: Asociatia de Dezvoltare Intercomunitara Judetul Satu Mare
Department: Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 34007526
Address: Piata 25 Octombrie , 440162 Satu Mare, Romania
Department address: Piata 25 Octombrie , 440162 Satu Mare, Romania
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Other
Website: http://www.adijudetulsatumare.ro
Total budget: EUR 164 500.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 131 600.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 32 900.00
- Glavni grad Podgorica
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Name: Glavni grad Podgorica
Department: Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02019710
Address: Njegoševa , 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Department address: Vuka Karadžića, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.podgorica.me
Total budget: EUR 148 420.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 736.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 29 684.00
- АСПЕКТ - Мениджмънт и междукултурни отношения
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Name: АСПЕКТ - Мениджмънт и междукултурни отношения
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 201354317
Address: Studenetz , 4004 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Education/training centre and school
Website: http://www.aspectmir.eu
Total budget: EUR 142 470.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 113 976.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 28 494.00
- RARIS - Regionalna agencija za razvoj istočne Srbije
-
Name: RARIS - Regionalna agencija za razvoj istočne Srbije
Department: n/a
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 105019649
Address: Trg Oslobodjenja, 19000 Zaječar, Serbia
Department address: Trg Oslobodjenja, 19000 Zaječar, Serbia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Other
Website: http://www.raris.org
Total budget: EUR 159 400.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 127 520.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 31 880.00
- Primăria municipiului Chișinău
-
Name: Primăria municipiului Chișinău
Department: General Directorate of Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1007601010323
Address: Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Boulevard, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova
Department address: Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Boulevard, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: https://chisinau.md/
Total budget: EUR 157 770.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 126 216.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 31 554.00
- Sveučilište u Mostaru
-
Name: Sveučilište u Mostaru
Department: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy/Departmen of Hydrotehnich
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 227088130005
Address: Trg hrvatskih velikana, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department address: Matice hrvatske , 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.sum.ba
Total budget: EUR 150 300.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 240.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 30 060.00
- Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave vysoká škola
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Name: Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave vysoká škola
Department: Faculty of Social Sciences / Faculty of Natural Sciences
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK 2021385861
Address: Námestie J. Herdu , 91701 Trnava , Slovakia
Department address: Bučianska , 91701 Trnava, Slovakia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.ucm.sk
Total budget: EUR 175 100.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 140 080.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 35 020.00
- Městská část Praha 9
-
Name: Městská část Praha 9
Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ00063894
Address: Sokolovská , 19000 Prague, Czech Republic
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: https://www.praha9.cz/
Total budget: EUR 129 500.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 103 600.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 25 900.00
- BSC, Poslovno podporni center d.o.o. Kranj
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Name: BSC, Poslovno podporni center d.o.o. Kranj
Department: N/A
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI32865597
Address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia
Department address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Sectoral agency
Website: http://www.bsc-kranj.si
Total budget: EUR 146 200.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 116 960.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 29 240.00
- Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg
-
Name: Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg
Department: Department of Geoinformatics (Z_GIS)
Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU57532824
Address: Kapitelgasse, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Department address: Schillerstr. (Building 15, 3rd Floor), 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.plus.ac.at
Total budget: EUR 184 519.20
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 147 615.36
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 36 903.84
- Koprivničke vode d.o.o.
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Name: Koprivničke vode d.o.o.
Department: Central laboratory and water catchment
Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR20998990299
Address: Mosna ulica , 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
Department address: Mosna ulica , 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider
Website: https://www.kcvode.hr
Total budget: EUR 150 880.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 704.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 30 176.00
Contractors:
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Name: Enter Koprivnica d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR74249041153 -
Name: Komunalac Koprivnica
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR41412434130
-
Name: Enter Koprivnica d.o.o.
Partners map
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: SpongeCity
Project ID: DRP0200159
Project start date: 2024-01-01
Project end date: 2026-06-30
Project status: ongoing
Relevant linked projects:
- Interreg ADRION MUHA Project (Multihazard framework for water related risks management) is related to the SpongeCity primary subject (https://adriseismic.adrioninterreg.eu/tag/muha-project).The MUHA project connect the observed and modelled hazards and risks related to the integrated water cycle with the existing and improved coping capacity. (EN) | SpongeCity will analyse the risks identified by the project and complete the analysis with GIS tool and suggestions on ecosystem-based water capturing and retention interventions. (EN), PLUS Department of Geoinformatics – Z_GIS is strongly research driven and running many projects in parallel. Sen2Cube.at – Sentinel-2 Semantic Data and Information Cube Austria and AIFER – Artificial intelligence for analysis and fusion of remote sensing and internet data for decision support in emergency management are among others two projects relevant for Sponge City. (EN) | Sen2Cube is managing space borne data to inform on the continuously changing conditions of the environment. Among the changes are the measurements of surface sealing. These are predominantly relevant (negative) areas for keeping extensive rainfall in retention areas.
- AIFER has proven to operate an early warning system based on digital data infrastructures. Sen2Cube provides such a data input for these kinds of immediate response system, which enable in time decision support based on latest avaiable knowledge.
- Coping with disaster events (such as floods) have recently been tested in a big exercise at TechnoZ Itzling with blue light organisations and many people responsible a different decision making levels. This demonstrates PLUS being engaged in applied research with a focus on pro-active disaster management in a very active network of stakeholders at decision making levels ranging from municipalities to the City Council of Salzburg and the Federal State level. Turning data to information and stakeholder relevant information ensures an immediate operationalisation of action plans. Datasets like up-to-date knowledge on surface sealed areas could be generated through automated services running on the Sen2Cube cloud service. Similar services could be provided for city-based retention basins relevant for water storage during extreme events. (EN), RENATUR INTERREG EUROPE project
- BSC is partner in RENATUR, addressing the suburban green areas where multiple challenged of the areas were addressed; biodiversity, climate change including mitigation of climate change. The loss of peri-urban open spaces and the natural heritage within them, can be prevented by timely, political and planning co-operation beyond administrative borders. The overall objective of the RENATUR project is to develop improved policy instruments suitable to protect the natural heritage of peri-urban open spaces. Those policies will help to:
- -better protect peri-urban ecosystems and their services;
- -better conserve biodiversity and reduce the biodiversity loss in the extend of peri-urban areas
- -reduce the soil sealing in peri-urban areas;
- -work against further fragmentation of natural ecosystems in the extend of peri-urban areas and improve natural ecosystems connectivity;
- -better introduce the green infrastructure concept in land-use planning of peri-urban landscapes. (EN) | SpongeCity will check the methodologies and databases used in RENTAUR and create an added value by better focusing on one hazard: flash floods. In addition it will provide the datacube based GIS tool and suggestions on ecosystem-based water capturing and retention interventions. (EN), Prague 9 was involved in The urban network and citizen participation in the European water protection project. The project was led by the Municipality of Ruma, Serbia/Opština Ruma and lasted between 2016-2018.
- The "H20 WR" project focuses on water resource protection, civil defence and better citizen participation in public and civil actions that target water resources. The aim of the project is to increase citizen participation in actions aimed at improving water quality, environmental protection and civil defence.
- The specific objectives: 1) To raise citizens' awareness of how to apply EU values and approaches to protect water resources and protect communities from natural threats; 2) To improve cooperation between cities in implementing measures that protect water resources and citizens from natural threats
- For the Partnership, water resource protection and civil flood protection are essential for regional development and quality of life. Currently, water resources are affected by a number of threats such as industrial activities, unregulated dumping, frequent flooding, lack of proper infrastructure, etc. In order to eliminate these threats, citizens should be more involved in public actions and policy making regarding water resources. Currently, European citizens are pessimistic about the future of water quality in Europe. In the EU, 47% of citizens fear that water quality will deteriorate in the long term. In Serbia, an EU accession country, citizens' views are generally negative. 56% of citizens surveyed believe that economic conditions will worsen due to EU membership and that agriculture (a key economic sector) will deteriorate due to restrictive environmental legislation.
- (EN) | As part of better cooperation, the project partners formed a partnership network that addressed water resource protection and better citizen engagement. SpongeCity will use thses grounds for mobilizing stakeholders and cizitens. In addition it will provide the datacube based GIS tool and suggestions on ecosystem-based water capturing and retention interventions. (EN), UCM, International Visegrad Fund project: Adopting good practices to improve regional environmental or climate plans in an innovative way (EN) | SpongeCity will capitalize from the network already created at Mostar for climate plans, and as an added value it will provide an action plan, and a feasibility study for one particular area of climate protection. (EN), Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy University of Mostar finished two projects of water management for EU funds (http://e-ucenje.gf.sum.ba/predmeti/attachments/article/6501/FGAG-reference-znanstveni_2011-2017-2.pdf):
- 2013. :IM-BE FIELD, SUISTANABLE USE OF WATER RESOURCES IN IMOTSKO-BEKIJSKO FIELD, IDEJNO RJEŠENJE 2013 OPĆINA GRUDE, IPA 2007-2013 CROSSBORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMME CROATIA-BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, FUNDED BY EU PROGRAMME
- 2015.- BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ADRIATIC SEA PROTECTION, EU funds
- (EN) | The main added value expected from the project is the link between climate change and the way to reduce the pressure of precipitation on the urban catchment, reduce runoff coefficients and the amount of swollen water on rivers in the catchment area. At the same time, ensure the storage of water for watering the greenery in the city at a time when there is not enough precipitation. The concept is recognized as a necessity in the fight against climate change and the achievement of sustainable growth and development of an urban entity (EN), EU support to reforms in water sector services in Serbia
- https://waterreform.euzatebe.rs
- The purpose of the project is to support reforms in the water sector and contribute to improving efficiency in the provision of water services. During the project activities, the organisation and business of public utility companies, which deal with the provision of water services, will be analysed and a model for their reorganisation and business improvement will be developed.
- SpongeCity project may presents to the Project and project beneficiaries (more than 20 municipalities in Serbia) its own results.
- This project initiates and support reforms in water sector so all project beneficiaries will be more open to consider and use the results SpongeCity project.
- (EN) | This project initiates and support reforms in water sector so all project beneficiaries will be more open to consider and use the results SpongeCity project. The added value provided by SpongeCity is the same as desrcibed above: focusing on a specific problem, elaborating detailed action pland and feasibility studies, introducing the spongecity actions by demonstraton investments, and providing an easy-to-use online toolbox with GIS and decision support modul for settlements. (EN), "Water Security Diagnostic Initiative.”
- The World Bank initiated in 2017 the so-called “Water Security Diagnostic Initiative.” This initiative intends to produce diagnostic reports that dive deeper into water challenges in a country and engage policymakers to develop strategies and actions to improve water security.
- Such country water security assessments are built on the so-called “Water Security Diagnostic Framework (WSDF).” The WSDF is intended to establish a consistent and structured approach to diagnosing water security without being overly prescriptive. (EN) | The approach recognizes that not all water-related challenges are equally significant in their impacts on people, ecosystems and economies, but that a consistent approach is essential to identify the most severe risks and most excellent unexploited opportunities, facilitate global comparisons and benchmark between countries.
- In this context, the World Bank Water Security Initiative applies the WSDF to Europe and Central Asia (ECA). Specifically, it is undertaking several deep-dive assessment reports for various countries, including Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. These reports will also provide priority actions for enhancing water security.
- “Water Security Diagnostic Initiative in Serbia was launched in 2022. SpongeCity project may presents to the Project its own results.
- This project will produce some results useful for SpongeCity project.
- The added value provided by SpongeCity is the same as desrcibed above: focusing on a specific problem, elaborating detailed action pland and feasibility studies, introducing the spongecity actions by demonstraton investments, and providing an easy-to-use online toolbox with GIS and decision support modul for settlements. (EN), Asset Management Advisory Services to Water Utilities in South-Eastern Europe
- Project program provides direct technical assistance, a state-of-the art software solution and extensive capacity building for Integrated Asset Management to water utilities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This Project was part of the Danube Learning Partnership D-Leap, a regional, integrated and sustainable capacity building initiative of national water utility associations and the International Association of Water Supply Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD). Project was implemented by GIZ, from January 2017 to November 2021,
- One of our ASP - UTVSI Association for water technology and sanitary engineering, was the expert Hub for Serbia.
- (EN) | We will use analysis and experience gain from this project in SpongeCity project. The added value provided by SpongeCity is the same as desrcibed above: focusing on a specific problem, elaborating detailed action plans and feasibility studies, introducing the spongecity actions by demonstraton investments, and providing an easy-to-use online toolbox with GIS and decision support modul for settlements.
- (EN), ASPECT was involved in the activity concerning fire and natural hazards intime of COVID 19. The goal of the project is to prepare Action model for organizing and managing volunteer activities in support of the fight against natural disasters in complex conditions. Undoubtedly, the fight against natural disasters of different nature requires high professionalism, the use of various technical means, as well as specialized training.
- The material concerns volunteering in rescue activity on local level during the period of lockdown connected with COVID-19 in two important areas:
- Forest fires;
- Such natural hazards as floods and slides
- The area, where this activity took place is Rhodope mountain. In that area in 2020 happened serial hazards - forest fire nearthe small town. The forest fires started to become danger for houses fires. Later in the same area heavy rains initiated floodsand slides. All these activated many volunteers from this small town as well as outside people. The insiders motivation was natural because they have to defend theirs own families and houses. The motivation of the outsiders was born by pure humanitarian impetus. In the rescue activity there was also third input - the state and local authority support especially in thecase of the necessary heavy equipment, without which several types of inevitable works would be impossible.
- (EN) | The project will foster sustainable development at the teritorrial level by supporting the circular economy principles, addaptation to climate change and advanced thehnologies. The project will aslo incorporate sustainable practicies and engagament of stakeholders and its contribution to raising the quality of life in local community, that is very important especialy in crucial times such as periods of natural disasters. The active and prepared participation of people in the fight against natural disasters means less negative consequences and faster recovery if these natural disasters occur.
- SpongeCity will support commuity organising activities by the public workshops and trainings for citizens. (EN), In Podgorica, the following currently running projects are dealing with the issues covered by the SpongeCity project:
- - TRIBUTE - Integrated and innovative actions for sustainable urban mobility upgrade (within European transnational programme Interreg ADRION) – Capital City Podgorica participates as project partner
- - CLIMABOROUGH - Building Green and Climate Neutral City-Hubs (within Horizon Europe) - Capital City Podgorica participates as associated partner
- - EU4 Energy Transition: Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey (jointly co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) – Capital City Podgorica is beneficiary in terms of being provided with consultant support for development of Sustainable Climate and Energy Action Plan SECAP
- Projects implemented in the last two years dealing with the issues directly or indirectly dealing with the issues covered by the SpongeCity project:
- - Assessing the potential for green roofs, façades and de-sealing of surfaces in Podgorica, Montenegro – supported by European Investment Bank through City Gap Fund; Capital City was beneficiary in terms of being provided with consultant support for development of prefeasibility study
- - I.N.G.R.I.D. – Development of Energy Efficiency Sustainable Network of Cities and Municipalities in Cross Border Area (within IPA CBC Interreg HR-BA-ME 2014-2020) – Capital City Podgorica participated as project partner
- - COMMAND d - Commanding ; Operations Mechanism for Multi-sectoral Analysis of Nexus Disaster Data (within EU Civil protection mechanism) – Capital City Podgorica participated as project partner
- (EN) | The main added valued to these projects expected from SpongeCity project is related to ecosystem-based approach as a new perspective which has not been profoundly implemented in Podgorica. Namely, this concept has been recognized as necessary and useful toll in combating climate changes and achieving sustainable development in general but still has not been thoroughly implemented in practice i.e. taken into account while developing relevant strategies and action plan. (EN), H2020 UPSURGE project
- E-zavod is a lead partner of H2020 project UPSURGE with main objective to build the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse as a reference framework offering guided support on how tested and verified Nature Based Solutions can be strategically implemented to significantly improve the multitude of problems faced by cities. (EN) | Sponge City project is synergetic with UPSURGE Lighthouse and will contribute to knowledge and practice-based European framework created on real-life tested NBS practices implemented by different innovative EU cities. Added value provided by SpongeCity is the same as desrcibed above: focusing on a specific problem, elaborating detailed action pland and feasibility studies, introducing the spongecity actions by demonstraton investments, and providing an easy-to-use online toolbox with GIS and decision support modul for settlements. (EN), LP just finished a Horizon 2020 financed project on sustainable cropping systems: DIVERFARMING - Crop diversification and low-input farming cross Europe: from practitioners' engagement and ecosystems services to increased revenues and value chain organisation. As a result it created Decision Support Tool (web-based and free app), which places the best research results in the hands of end-users, who are guided to tailor the most suitable diversified cropping system, low-input practices and most adapted machinery to improve land productivity, revenues and ecosystem services, with mechanisms to adapt their value chains to new agribusiness models and market demands. A Protocol for the correct implementation of diversified systems, easy-to-follow by end-users was also developed. Two other outputs of the project are also relevant for SpongeCity: the Methodological guidelines with toolbox for value chain adaptation in response to innovative agribusiness models and market demands, and the “Communities of Practitioners” as volunteer early adopter farmers recruited to develop diversified cropping systems as real scenarios.
- Another project was also just closed in Erasmus+ Program on WRB soil classification: SYStem - The WRB (World Reference Base for Soil Resources) is a soil classification system that facilitates interoperability between national soil classification systems and communication between soil professionals who speak different languages and use different soil classification systems. The SYStem project is based on the idea of creating an edutainment application that bases soil classification on the WRB. The mobile phone application's webpage will be populated with soil sections and soil level data, as well as section photos, and registered users will be able to upload such data. The users of the application can interact with each other and share their opinions on the characteristics of the soil surveys and section descriptions.
- (EN) | The concept of DIVERFARMING project's decision making tool will be analysed, aspects will be cnanneled to SpongeCity toolbox, also the toolbox of the project will be analysed to adapt its aspects, datasources. The protocol's logic will be channeled to the action plans. The community building method will be adapted in SpongeCity.
- From SYStem, mainly the measuring technologies, methods will be analysed and taken over for the raingarden investments. Building an online community and provingding the possibility for peer-to-peer communication on the results of the exminations will also serve as a good practice for SpongeCity.
- The added value provided by SpongeCity is the same as desrcibed above: focusing on a specific problem, elaborating detailed action plans and feasibility studies, introducing the spongecity actions by demonstration investments, and providing an easy-to-use online toolbox with GIS and decision support modul for settlements. (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 028 509.20
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 622 807.36
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Deliverables:
- Transnational Working Group
- DR network of SpongeCity municipalities
- Stakeholder involvement methodology
- Regional stakeholder meetings
- Transnational Working Group meetings
- Geographical and infrastructural surveys
- Joint comparative study on geographical and infrastructural features
- Water management analyses
- Joint comparative study on urban water management approaches
- Best practice catalogue of ecosystem-based approaches
- Training material for municipal staff
- Educational material for citizens
- Training sessions for local municipalities
- Trainings for citizens
- Experimental, educational city walks for introducing sponge city investments
- Online spongecity campaign
- Online toolbox
- Guidelines for the toolbox
- Local action plans
- Peer reviews
- Feasibility studies on planned spongecity investments
- Evaluation reports on the demonstration investments
- Public events for citizens
- Toolbox assesment report
- Joint assessment report with recommendations for related policies
- Participating at regional, national, transnational thematic events to present spongecity tools
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- EUStrategyDanubeRegion The project directly supports the achievement of the targets of PA5, which was acknowledged by the coordnators of the priority by issuing a Letter of Recommendation for SpongeCity. Regarding T1, it addresses the challenges of water scarcity and droughts in line with the Danube River Basin Management Plan. Above managing this question on city level, it also decreases the amount of water abstracted from
- the Danube and its tributaries, which reach critically low water levels during the summer season, can also be reduced. Regarding T4, it increase the preparedness of local communicates to environmental disasters in urban areas, and thus, it also supports the sound operation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, as by spreading urban flood and drought prevention interventions, EU CPM needs to be activated less often, decreasing the load on the co-operating bodies.
- EuropeanGreenDeal The project supports the EGD mainly in reaching its objectives to provide fresh air, clean water, healthy soil and biodiversity for EU's population. Applyin the ecosystem-based spongecity concept will make it possible to improve our living conditions and maintain a healthy environment. Flash flooding carries the greatest risk of injury or death due to flooding, as the sudden swell of water often catches people by surprise. Whether in an urban or rural area, flash flooding can present a number of hazards. There can be significant risks from slip and trip hazards beneath the water, as well as the risk of diseases and other contaminants which can be in the water in both urban and rural environments. We also have to mention that a number of infectious diseases, including gastrointestinal infections and hepatitis A, can spread through contact with surfaces contaminated by flood waters. The likelihood of illness increases when floodwater contains faecal material from overflowing sewerage systems, or agricultural or industrial wastes. In urban areas, drainage overflow can be a major source of pollution. It picks up potentially harmful substances from roads, factories, gutters and drains, including oil, household chemicals and faecal material, and transfers them to streets and urban watercourses. This water poses risks to human health as it may contain toxins and pathogens such as E. coli and the virus that causes hepatitis A. There is also an increased risk of wound infections, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections from polluted waters.
- These risks can be significantly reduced by spongecity interventions.
- TerritorialAgenda2030 The project supports the Healthy Environment priority of the Agenda by developing nature-based solutions for water capture and retention instead of 'gray' investments. By the APs, feasibility studies it prepares and by the demonstrational raingardens it directly implements invesments as elements of green and blue infrastructure networks that link ecosystems and protected areas in spatial planning, land management and other policies. The toolbox serves as a new crisis management tools to increase places’ safety and resilience, mainy against flash floods, but also against droughts and heat islands.
- By motivating decision makers and urban planners to replace concrete and asphalt surfaces to green surfaces, it supprts the agenda in respecting the natural limits of Europe’s common livelihoods and increase the resilience of all places impacted by climate change.
- SpongeCity organises stakeholder meetings for experts, piublic workshops and trainings for municipal staff and citizens to implement participative urban planning, Thus, it supports the agenda in concentrating on strengthening awareness and empowering local and regional communities to protect, rehabilitate, utilise and reutilise their (built) environments, landscapes, material and immaterial cultural assets and other unique values through instruments of EU Cohesion Policy,
- Other LP: Nat Climate Change Strat (2008-2025, 2014-2025), Nat Water Strat, Nat Landscape Strat (2017-2026), Nat Dev and Territorial Dev Concept (2014-2030), Nat Settlement Policy, Nat Security Strat., Environmental and Energy Efficiency OP Plus. Targeted: Prime Minister’s Office.
- PP2: Strat of the Water Man issued by the Hrvatske vode (HV). Targeted: HV
- PP3: In AT Policies related to the project are partly governed by Federal States and different ministries Targeted: Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology; and ministry related organisations (Environment Agency Austria, Geosphere Austria)
- PP4, PP13: Slovenian Strat for Green Infrastructure 2013, Strat for adaptation on climate change (2021). Targeted: Ministry of Environment and Gorenjska Region.
- PP5: Nat Climate Change Adaptation Strat, Nat Water Man Plan, Regional Dev Strat, Green Infrastructure Initiatives.
- PP6: Nat Adaptation Strat, 2021-2023: The Strat of Adaptation of the Slovak Republic to Climate Change, Concept of Water Man Policy, Water Plan of Slovak Rep., Nat Biodiversity Strat, White Paper (2023): Water for Climate Healing: A new water paradigm, 2018: Greener Slovakia: Strat of environmental policy in Slovak republic 2030, Targeted: Ministry of Environment.
- PP7: Climate Change Nat Adaptation Plan 2022, Law on Waters, Water Man Strat of fir Federation of BiH. Targeted: Council of Ministers of BiH.
- PP9: Water Man Strat of Republic of Serbia 2017-2034. Targeted: Ministry of Environmental Protection
- PP10: Disaster Protection Act, Spatial Planning Act, Water Act, Environmental Protection Act, Regional Dev Act, Nat Disaster Risk Reduction Strat 2018-2030. Targeted: Ministry of Interior.
- PP11: Nat Strat for Sustainable Dev, Climate Changes Nat Strat, Flood Protection and Rescue Nat Plan. Targeted: Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism
- PP12: 2023 the Nat Plan for the Risks of Floods. Targeted: Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests
Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:
- Magyarország (HU), Pécs, Ifjúság, 6, 7624
- Hrvatska (HR), Herešin, Marovska, X, 48000
- România (RO), Livada, tbc, tbc, 447180
- Slovenija (SI), Tržič, Cesta Ste Marie aux Mines, 1, 4290
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:
-
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, 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:
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ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube
Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme
2024-12-18
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
82 / 139 (58.99%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
910 / 1 381 (65.89%)
Notes on the data
Source of estimation of the number of projects as of 2025-03-17: Website of the programme
Method for estimating the number of partners as of 2025-03-17: Average partners per project based on the average of the previous period.