Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Date of latest update: 2025-12-09

Description

Description (EN):

ACTION develops joint cross-border actions to promote resilient behaviours with a spill over effect on the territory and relevant economic sectors, in parallel with actions to increase awareness of the populations living in the programme coastal areas. These areas are in fact particularly affected by climate change effects such as sea level rise and saline intrusion, with obvious repercussions specifically on the important natural and cultural heritage present in the project area: natural parks, Natura 2000 sites, and cultural attractors in the 4 project pilot areas. ACTION will analyse the risks on the pilot areas in terms of current ecosystem services useful for the minimisation of the effects of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, as well as the means to increase them and identify common and shared actions based on the nature-based solutions principle. Thus, the guiding principle for increasing resilience will be the ecosystem-based management (EBM). EBM aims at maintaining the ecosystem structure and functions while preserving and/or increasing the services produced over time. The project follows a precise logical and consequential structure of WPs through which, in a first phase, the 4 pilot areas are analysed and characterised to identify the main threats induced by climate change in a medium- and long-term time frame, secondly the ecosystem services that can increase the resilience of the pilot areas are identified, and then the most effective methods are developed, in line with the guiding principle outlined, to implement the 4 pilot actions on the territories. The experience of the project is finally systematised by sharing the identified solutions among the partnership and by developing a Joint Action Plan for the transferability of the shared methods and solutions to other territories. The flow of data and results feeds in parallel and progressively into the extensive awareness campaign implemented in ACTION. The expected behavioural change requires a modification of our patterns in terms of how we live and produce goods and services and protect the flora and fauna that give us food and life. In order to achieve this level of awareness amongst the different project target groups, a two-phase pathway is implemented consisting of a first phase of representation of the situation in the pilot areas, and of a second propositional one, through the identification of the benefits that ecosystem services produce. The latter phase involves all project target groups and aims at developing proactive adaptation behaviours for the increased resilience of natural and cultural heritage. The main project outputs are: 1) Ecosystem and socio-economic analysis of the 4 pilot areas (2 IT and 2 HR); 2) Analysis of the risks and threats that climate change may cause and their assessment; 3) Representation of scenarios of climate change effects through multimedia tools, videos and dioramas; 4) Identification of ecosystem services and possible benefits to increase resilience; 5) Cross-border awareness campaign targeting key stakeholders: general public, SMEs, policy makers from local and regional authorities; 6) Implementation of an exchange experience for students and teachers between the two countries aimed at developing adaptation projects; 7) Involvement of stakeholders from relevant economic sectors in the project areas to raise their awareness and promote adaptation actions: 12 Public events across borders jointly organized; 1 capacity building activity and several local engagement initiatives; 8) Implementation of 4 pilot actions; 9) Sharing of solutions identified in the 4 project areas and definition of a Joint Strategy and action plan; 10) Transfer of the Joint Strategy to the programme area. Through cross-border cooperation, the two countries can benefit from the co-sharing of resources and expertise, leading to more efficient and effective results. The main elements of innovation are: 1) the methodological approach, based on coordinated knowledge building and sharing among scientific actors, local authorities and Park management bodies involved in the development of "Nature based solutions" approaches, unprecedented in the cooperation area; 2) the development of a large-scale cross-border awareness campaign targeting key stakeholders as a tool to increase the resilience of cultural and environmental heritage and related economic activities.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the reporting period, the project start-up phase was successfully completed, developing as output all the management, communication and monitoring tools attached to this report, prepared thanks to the efforts and inputs of all partners. Numerous technical and co-ordination meetings (collegial and bilateral) were held, both online and in-person, on the one hand consolidating the relationship and collaboration between partners and on the other laying a solid foundation for the technical implementation of project activities. The cooperation also took the form of the distribution of tasks and duties according to the competences and experiences of the PPs, and of the responsibility for the coordination of certain activities and work packages (always under the guidance of the LP). At the same time, overall project coordination (PMu meetings, KoM, etc.) was ensured towards the achievement of the objectives thanks to the broader collegial meetings and the sharing of contact points and common criticalities among the partners. First steps in the achievement of the final project goal to a define a “Joint Strategy to increase the resilience of the territories to the climate change threats through the use of Nature Based Solutions” were implemented, through the start of activity 1.2 regarding the characterization of the pilot areas in Italy (Po Delta Park, Coastal Dunes Park) and Croatia (Vransko Lake Park, Neretva Delta), the identification of common and also site-specific threats to be tackled, and the mapping of local stakeholders to be involved in project activities. More in details: - the characterization of the pilot areas has been started thanks to the development of shared and homogeneous data collection tools and methodologies for environmental and socio-economic data; - stakeholders to be involved in the socio-economic survey and in the communication activities have been identified, and a preliminary calendar shared among partners for the awareness raising meetings due to start in Period 2 defined; - the capitalization process of projects/best practices linked to climate change issues in the project pilot areas has been launched, collecting in this first reporting period the available reports/case studies regarding the ecological characterization of the sites; - the planning of the interventions to be carried out at the 4 pilot sites has started, sharing common goals and methodologies. During the reporting period, the project work plan was successfully followed and implemented thanks to the efforts and contributions of all project partners (PPs). Several technical, collegial, and bilateral meetings were conducted which further enhanced the relationships and collaboration among the PPs. This ensured the effective technical implementation of project activities and the completion of deliverables within the planned deadlines. Cooperation among the PPs was tangible both in terms of methodological exchange and operational planning during the preliminary phases of each activity, as well as in the division of tasks and collaborative creation of deliverables. While these deliverables are specific to each area, they effectively share a common methodological approach, structure, and objectives. During Period 2, this structured approach led to the completion of deliverable D.1.2.1 “Reports on the characterization of the pilot areas” (Po Delta Park and Coastal Dunes Park in Italy and Vransko Lake Park and Neretva Delta in Croatia). These reports include a quantitative and qualitative analysis from ecological and socio-economic perspectives for each of the four pilot areas. Simultaneously, deliverable D.2.2.1 “Capitalisation Report” was finalized, collecting and systematizing best practices and experiences from each partner, highlighting innovative and scalable solutions. Additionally, a first thematic workshop on “Natural Solutions” was held. These milestones are crucial foundations for subsequent activities which will be implemented in the coming project periods, including the ongoing process of identifying hazards and threats in the pilot areas, assessing climate change effects and scenarios, and planning communication and awareness-raising activities targeted at selected groups. Finally, each responsible partner proceeded with operational planning and the necessary procurement related to the pilot actions to be implemented in the four target areas (foreseen under WP3), while project communication was implemented in a transversal manner to project activities. These partnership efforts represent concrete steps toward achieving the overall project goal, i.e. to define a “Joint Strategy to increase the resilience of the territories to the climate change threats through the use of Nature Based Solutions”.

Project outputs: Awareness raising events(EN)
Training activities(EN)
awareness raising event(EN)
Pilot actions(EN)
Joint Strategy for coastal resilience(EN)

Thematic information

Evaluation systems and results Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-A_I-Hr_2) Green and resilient shared environment

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 (8)

Lead Partner: Comune di Ravenna

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950561589

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00354730392 | 00354730392 | comune.ravenna@legalmail.it (EN)

Department: Environment and protection of territory/EU policies

Address: Piazza del Popolo , 48121 Ravenna, Italy

Department address: Via Berlinguer, 48121 Ravenna, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comune.ravenna.it

Total budget: EUR 490 885.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 490 885.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Ravenna Incoming Conv.&Vis.ARL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02095290397

Grad Ploče

Name: Grad Ploče

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 929270865

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15429488788 | 15429488788 | ured.gradonacelnika@ploce.hr (EN)

Address: Trg kralja Tomislava , 20340 Ploče, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://ploce.hr/

Total budget: EUR 300 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 240 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 60 000.00

Parco Naturale Regionale "Dune costiere da Torre Canne a Torre S. Leonardo"

Name: Parco Naturale Regionale "Dune costiere da Torre Canne a Torre S. Leonardo"

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 933715793

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90037060747 | 90037060747 | parcodunecostiere@pec.it (EN)

Address: Piazza della Libertà , 72017 Ostuni, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.parcodunecostiere.org

Total budget: EUR 247 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 247 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Università degli Studi di Bari
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01086760723
Name: Orange Public Management srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02336400748

Institut Ruđer Bošković

Name: Institut Ruđer Bošković

Department: Division of Materials Chemistry

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999875031

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 69715301002 | 69715301002 | ravnatelj@irb.hr (EN)

Address: Bijenička cesta , 10000 Zagreb , Croatia

Department address: Bijenička cesta , 10000 Zagreb , Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.irb.hr/eng

Total budget: EUR 268 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 215 040.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 53 760.00

Contractors:

Name: Analysis adria laboratory
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR33066963964
Name: Kemolab
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR45816750516

Javna ustanova Park prirode Vransko jezero

Name: Javna ustanova Park prirode Vransko jezero

Department: Conservation service

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 891900451

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 62106126299 | 62106126299 | info@pp-vransko-jezero.hr (EN)

Address: Kralja Petra Svačića, 23210 Biograd na Moru, Croatia

Department address: Kralja Petra Svačića, 23210 Biograd na Moru, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.pp-vransko-jezero.hr/en/

Total budget: EUR 297 441.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 237 952.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 488.20

Contractors:

Name: IBIS Program d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 12197095581
Name: RU-VE d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 88470929840
Name: FRED BOBEK d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 29124324410
Name: ForCamping s.r.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: CZ24295825
Name: KSU d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 34976993601
Name: Lokvina d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 58601922415
Name: Udruga Biom
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02969783432
Name: BIOTA d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00559208747
Name: GEO-5 d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 35006071705
Name: NaravaNarave
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI37908448
Name: Culina Angeli d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 14009484673
Name: Udruga Bioteka
VAT registration or tax identification number: 55178657512
Name: Acquisitum Magnum d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 89836623071
Name: Links d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 32614011568
Name: Megra d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 100124484

Istituto Delta Ecologia Applicata srl

Name: Istituto Delta Ecologia Applicata srl

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998471344

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 01542510381 | 01542510381 | certificata@pec.istitutodelta.it (EN)

Address: Bela Bartok, 44124 Ferrara, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.istitutodelta.it

Total budget: EUR 299 530.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 299 530.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Giulia Boari
VAT registration or tax identification number: BROGLI80P57D548Z
Name: Saletti Roberto
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00095930384
Name: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited
VAT registration or tax identification number: IE9692928F
Name: Stefano Mascolo
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT10395680969
Name: Chiara Spotorno
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01461050336
Name: FCS Ferrara srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT01737930386

Ente di Gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità-Delta del Po (POPARK)

Name: Ente di Gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità-Delta del Po (POPARK)

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 883225159

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 01861400388 | 91015770380 | parcodeltapo@cert.parcodeltapo.it (EN)

Address: C.so Mazzini, 44022 Comacchio (FE), Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.parcodeltapo.it

Total budget: EUR 259 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 259 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: MAD S.R.L.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01756720684
Name: APOGEOATWC S.R.L. Soc. Benefit
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03793051008
Name: MASSIMILIANO ROSIGNOLI
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00655650554
Name: WORK AND BELONG S.C.S.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01508300389

Alma Master Studiorum-Universita di Bologna

Name: Alma Master Studiorum-Universita di Bologna

Department: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), Ravenna Campus Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), Ravenna Campus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999993953

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 01131710376 | 80007010376 | scriviunibo@pec.unibo.it (EN)

Address: Via Zamboni, 40126 Bologna, Italy

Department address: Sant'Alberto, 48123 Ravenna, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.unibo.it

Total budget: EUR 238 938.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 238 938.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

City of Ploce

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Regional Natural Park “Coastal Dunes from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo”

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Ruđer Bošković Institute

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Public institution Vransko Lake Nature Park

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Delta Institute Applied Ecology

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Managing Body for Parks and Biodiversity - Po Delta

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

Comune di Ravenna

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Partners and Projects info

University of Bologna

Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Project acronym: ACTION

Project ID: ITHR0200390

Project start date: 2024-04-01

Project end date: 2026-09-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

CHANGE WE CARE Interreg IT – HR 2014 -2020 (EN) | CHANGE WE CARE encouraged a more concerted and coordinated climate change adaptation measures planning across the Adriatic Sea basin, addressing coastal communities. A primary outcome of the project was to convey the up-to-date climate knowledge to policy makers who may best benefit from it together with planners, nature protection authorities, regional and local development agencies, territorial authorities etc.
From this experience, ACTION continues by seeking to capitalise on its results and developing new approaches to raise awareness about adaptation scenarios and perspectives among representatives of the relevant socio-economic sectors in the project areas and to define a transferable Action Plan at programme area level.
(EN), CLIMate Adaptation for the PO river basin district
LIFE21-IPC-IT-LIFE CLIMAX PO/101069928 | Acronym: LIFE21-IPC-IT-LIFE CLIMAX PO
(EN) | LIFE CLIMAX PO seeks to foster the implementation of the Italian NAS in the Po River Basin District, boosting adaptation to climate change through a climate-smart management of water resources and by implementing measures tailored to local characteristics and climatic peculiarities at the district scale. It also increases the capacity for adaptation and involves stakeholders with water use interests. Water security and climate resilience is improved through replicable measures such as flood prevention and river system re-naturalisation.
ACTION shares common goals that will amplify the action of both projects acting on neighbouring territories and in particular on:
- Shared climate knowledge: improving the understanding of climate risks;
- Capacity building and awareness: accelerating climate adaptation through education, training and awareness-raising for policymakers, technical experts, public administrations and civil society organisations.
(EN), IDEAL Project (EN) | The IDEAL project, funded by standard call under Priority Axis 2.1 (Improving Monitoring and Planning of Adaptation Measures Addressing Specific Aspects of Climate Change in Cooperation) of the Interreg V-A Programme Italy-Croatia 2014/2020, aimed at preserving biodiversity and strengthening the capacity of policy makers to take more informed planning choices in relation to climate change and human effects. The main objective was to support local public administrations to take appropriate decisions related to climate adaptation measures and to develop coherent and appropriate climate adaptation plans for both Croatian and Italian territories. This objective was achieved through a shared process of knowledge construction and through the implementation of a common DSS-Decision Support System. During the project activities, the Regional Natural Park of Coastal Dunes prepared, in collaboration with the other project partners, its adaptation plan elaborated through an analysis of the existing planning tools and projects at regional or local level that directly or indirectly intervene in the territory of the Regional Natural Park in order to counter or mitigate the effects deriving from climate change, detect the hazards and the potential impacts, involve the stakeholders and decision makers and implement an action plan. This proposal will contribute to implement one of the actions identified during the consultation process with the key stakeholder and decision makers of the project IDEAL. (EN), Orientgate Project (EN) | Orientgate project funded by the South East Europe programme 2007/2013 fostered concerted and coordinated climate adaptation actions across the South Est European region. The project explored climate risks faced by coastal, rural and urban communities; contributed to a better understanding of the impact of climate variability and change on water regimes, forests and agro-ecosystems and analysed specific adaptation needs in the hydroelectricity, agro-alimentary and tourism sectors. The principal scope of the project was to convey the up-to-date climate knowledge to policy makers who may best benefit from it, that is urban planners, nature protection authorities, regional and local development agencies, territorial and public works authorities. The principal project results included six pilot studies of specific climate adaptation exercises, a data platform connected to the EU Clearinghouse on Climate Adaptation, capacity enhancing seminars and workshops, working partnership among the hydro-meteorological offices of the SEE countries. The Puglia case study provided tools and guidelines for local and regional authorities in the Puglia Region (Italy) to assess vulnerabilities and risks posed by climate change and related extremes (focusing on droughts), and to improve planning for the integrated management of water resources and coastal zones, considering scientifically sound and updated information about expected climate terrestrial and marine hazards, and their consequent impacts on domestic water supply, agriculture and coasts. (EN), Diving to a clean environment in Ploče
(EN) | Funded within the framework of the Operational Programme Effective Human Potential 2014-2020 (European Social Fund); City of Ploče participated as project partner.
The general goal of the project is to encourage volunteerism in the local community through the organization of volunteer programmes, the organisation of local initiatives in the field of good governance, and the organisation of small civic actions in support of civil protection services. In other words, the goal is to connect key stakeholders in the area of the city of Ploče in the area of environmental activities and educating citizens with the aim of encouraging the development of environmental activism and educating citizens about the benefits of swimming, diving and other water sports through the implementation of project activities.
The project is based on strengthening the capacity of the association and creating preconditions for the development of environmental activism in the area of the city of Ploče and its associated settlements with the aim of improving the quality of life of all citizens.
The project is aimed at all citizens of the city of Ploče and its surrounding settlements. For this reason, activities have been specially designed to be adapted for children and young people. Through this project, it is planned to engage professional staff and volunteers with the aim of achieving the most efficient approach, bringing the younger generation closer to the principles of ecology, the benefits of practicing water sports and the importance of volunteering for personal development.
(EN), Implementation of a communication campaign on sustainable waste management - Green Wave (EN) | from the EU Cohesion Fund.
The aim of the project was to actively involve the population and tourists in the system of sustainable waste management, i.e. to reduce the generation and increase of separately collected waste, thereby reducing the amount of waste deposited at the Lovornik landfill. The activities of this project aimed at establishing an environmentally and economically sustainable waste management system.
The project was based on a communication campaign through the available means of communication with the population and tourists to educate and inform about the measures to prevent waste, to reuse and properly separate, and recycle. Within the campaign, targeted groups were given a stimulating message about the importance of preventing waste, recycling, sustainable use of materials, home composting, proper waste separation in households, and the circular economy model. The project was implemented through digital communication tools, printing flyers on the back of invoices, making posters, setting up permanent notice boards, establishing a website on sustainable waste management in Ploče and Gradac in cooperation with the Municipality of Gradac. Through workshops in elementary schools and kindergartens, the project's messages were conveyed in an adapted form. Multilingual leaflets on the proper handling of waste will be placed in the accommodation units of private renters, so that the message of the campaign also reaches tourists.
The project contributed directly to a significant reduction in the amount of waste disposed of at the Lovornik landfill, and to an increase in the rate of separately collected waste and people’s awareness of the importance of sustainable waste management.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 402 734.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 922 187.20

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 91.73%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 922 187.20. Co-financing rate, 91.73%.
Others: Amount, EUR 307 298.60.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Kick-off event
Communication Plan
Management kit
Activity Plan
Minutes of meetings
Reports on the characterization of the pilot areas
Reports on the hazards and threats of the pilot areas in the medium and long term
GIS
4 Reports on the local scenarios
Tools for the awareness raising
Awareness campaign tools
Report of the meetings
Activity Plan
Minute of meetings
Capitalisation report
Joint Report on ecosystem services and resilience of coastal area increase
Training course for students
Didactic kit
Educational activities
Gadgets for participants in the training activities
Laboratories/workshop
Capacity building programme
Awareness campaign tools
Activity Plan
Minute of meetings
Hydraulic model and Climate Adaptation Centre
Habitat restoration Plan in Vransko Lake watershed
Action plan for the implementation of mitigation measures in Dune Coastal Park
Pilot action implemented in Neretva estuary and Ploče
Activity Plan
Minute of meetings
Joint Strategy
Awareness campaign impact assessment report
Joint actions for the strategy implementation to increase resilience
Report on transferability plan in other areas of the programme
International Event

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Project ACTION will produce effects within Pillar 3 "Environmental quality", which concerns the environmental quality of marine, coastal and terrestrial ecosystems in the Adriatic-Ionian region. The project activities find synergy with topic 1 "The marine environment" and topic 2 "Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity" of the EUSAIR action plan and in particular find relevance in flagship 2 "Protection and enhancement of natural terrestrial habitats and ecosystems". The Adriatic and Ionian Region is directly exposed and highly vulnerable to disasters related to climate change, especially the rise in sea level and thus the intrusion of salt water; therefore, comprehensive policy actions are needed to adapt the target districts to these circumstances and provide them with concrete support in the challenge to climate change. In this context, the activities of ACTION aim at identifying risks and hazards related to the effects of climate change in the pilot areas in the medium and long term. The results will lead to improved knowledge for monitoring and developing solutions for adaptation to climate change, thanks above all to cross-border coordination involving the exchange of experience and know-how. Climate change adaptation and resilience solutions will be developed through the capitalisation of past experiences gained through the AdriAdapt, Asteris and other projects. Although EUSAIR considers pillar 3 separately, this theme cuts across the other three pillars of the Strategy. ACTION focuses on how environmental quality can improve prospects for smart and inclusive growth. It thus strengthens Blue Growth, contributes to sustainable tourism, and increases the connectivity of the Italy-Croatia macro-region.
EuropeanGreenDeal The project implements several provisions of the European Green Deal, contributing significantly to restoring biodiversity and making our continent more resilient to the effects of climate change. ACTION has concrete synergies with the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (EBS 2030) and is relevant to the new adaptation strategy, COM(2021) 82 final. EBS 2030 identifies climate change as a cause of biodiversity loss, due to droughts, rising sea levels and increased water use for irrigation in agriculture, which further exacerbates the water crisis for natural habitats, accelerating the destruction of the natural world. With WP1, the effects of climate change on the natural and cultural heritage and economic activities in the pilot areas will be assessed by raising awareness among the resident population and disseminating the knowledge obtained to all stakeholders. The chemical and ecological conditions of the target water bodies will be analysed to have an initial complete picture necessary for the implementation of subsequent actions. WP2 will identify ecosystem services that counteract the risks and threats previously identified in WP1 and contribute to providing concrete adaptation solutions. On a technical level, a hydraulic model will be developed to link the solutions to the specific environmental conditions analysed in the pilot areas. In this way, the project will have a positive impact on the decrease of biodiversity loss. Within the adaptation strategy, it is established how the EU can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050. ACTION thus contributes to achieving the objectives of the priority area 'adaptation to climate change', namely 'sustainable water management in drought-prone areas, flood and coastal management' by developing solutions to halt and prevent environmental degradation caused by water scarcity and saltwater intrusion.
Other INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
Project ACTION is in line with the principles established by the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. The Protocol determines several objectives to which ACTION will contribute, in particular: to preserve coastal zones for the benefit of present and future generations; to ensure the preservation of the integrity of coastal ecosystems, landscapes and geomorphology; to prevent and/or reduce the effects of natural hazards and in particular of climate change, which may be caused by natural or human activities. In addition, the general principles of ICZM defined in Art. 6 of the Protocol are respected, i.e. the use of an ecosystem approach, the consideration of biological heritage, the definition of preliminary risk assessments, the prevention of damage to the coastal environment and the participation of the local population. ACTION’s activities conducted in the pilot areas will provide up-to-date information on the state of coastal conservation and data on the quantification of the impact of sea level rise on the ecosystem services provided by coastal areas. It will develop analyses that estimate the impact of climate change on all elements affecting the pilot areas: hydrological, geomorphological, ecological, socioeconomic and cultural. The knowledge and results obtained from WP1 activities on the identified risks and benefits of ecosystem services will be passed on to the populations of the affected areas, thereby increasing awareness and participation of civil society actors. Finally, the project will provide adaptation solutions that will increase the resilience of coastal areas, through the development of hydraulic models and the creation of collaborative platforms, providing techniques potentially applicable to all coastal areas facing the same climate challenges.
Other WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
Project ACTION represents an important effort to ensure the sustainable management of water resources through the implementation of targeted programmes and measures. The results of the project will be used to provide essential support in the revision and updating of river basin management plans (RBMPs) and the programme of measures implemented by the water basin management authorities. Thanks to the accurate analysis of the chemical and ecological status of transitional and coastal waters in the pilot areas, the project will make it possible to develop effective solutions to achieve the objectives of the Water Directive, i.e. to prevent the qualitative and quantitative deterioration of waters, to improve their status and to ensure the long-term sustainable use of available water resources. Furthermore, the project is an opportunity to raise awareness among the public and authorities of the need to protect water resources and the importance of sustainable water management. Thanks to the collaboration between different organisations and stakeholders, the project will be able to contribute to the creation of a replicable model in other areas, promoting the dissemination of good practices at a global level to ensure the sustainability of water resources.
Other HABITAT DIRECTIVE
ACTION is extremely relevant for the conservation of biodiversity in pilot areas, as it involves two areas identified in the Natura 2000 network, the first pillar of the European Habitats Directive. The Adriatic Sea is a unique and extraordinary habitat that is home to numerous species of flora and fauna, many of which are at risk due to overfishing and other anthropogenic factors. The results obtained through the project will contribute to improving the knowledge base and the monitoring system for defining biodiversity protection policies in these areas. In addition, the project actively promotes community-level initiatives that combine the regeneration of marine resources with the conservation of local livelihoods, aiming at the development of joint strategies to disseminate good practices in nature protection, biodiversity and the bio-economy. Training and educational activities aim to raise awareness among policy-makers and service providers about the importance of a healthy marine environment and the need to design strategies that focus more on the economic value of nature conservation and biodiversity. In this way, ACTION plays a key role in promoting environmental sustainability and sustainable economic development in these pilot areas and beyond.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Italia (IT), Ravenna, Via don Carlo Sala, 7, 48121
Hrvatska (HR), Ploče, Andrije Kačića Mišića Street, 1, 20340

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 085 - Participations in joint training schemes, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 115 - Public events across borders jointly organised, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 081 - Completions of joint training schemes, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

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

2025-12-09

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

76 / 76 (100%)

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

486 / 486 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

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Increasing coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change

Description

Thematic information

Partners (8)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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