Pollinator biodiversity enhancement through ecological Connectivity
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West EuropeDescription
Jointly developed solution to improve pollinator biodiversity(EN)
1 strategy and 2 action plans aimed at improving pollinator biodiversity indicators(EN)
Pilot action to test innovative monitoring techniques in selected living labs(EN)
Jointly developed solution aimed at improving ecological monitoring(EN)
Participation in joint training schemes(EN)
Website: http://polliconnect.nweurope.eu
Thematic information
Priority: (VI-B_NWE_1) Smart climate and environmental resilience for NWE territories
Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution
Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility
Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure
Partners (15)
Lead Partner: Vlaamse Landmaatschappij
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 954725702
Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0236 506 685
Address: Koning Albert II-laan , 1210 Brussels, Belgium
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: http://www.vlm.be
Total budget: EUR 941 486.25
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 564 891.75
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 376 594.50
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a
- Provincie Fryslân
-
Name: Provincie Fryslân
Department: Landbouw en Natuur (Agriculture and Nature)
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 948946636
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL001032823B02
Address: Tweebaksmarkt, 8900HM Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Department address: Tweebaksmarkt, 8900HM Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: http://www.fryslan.frl
Total budget: EUR 426 236.36
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 255 741.81
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 170 494.55
- Die Senatorin für Umwelt, Klima und Wissenschaft -Freie Hansestadt Bremen
-
Name: Die Senatorin für Umwelt, Klima und Wissenschaft -Freie Hansestadt Bremen
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998928796
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE114413816
Address: An der Reeperbahn, 28217 Bremen, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: http://umwelt.bremen.de
Total budget: EUR 469 075.70
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 281 445.42
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 187 630.28
- Inova DE
-
Name: Inova DE
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935240924
Partner’s ID if not PIC: UStIdNr.: DE301814751 | Steuernummer: 32494/63607
Address: Karl-Landsteiner Strasse, 69151 Neckargemünd, Germany
Legal status: private
Organisation type: SME
Website: https://inova.business/de
Total budget: EUR 181 760.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 056.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 72 704.00
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20
- Provincie West-Vlaanderen
-
Name: Provincie West-Vlaanderen
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 934771541
Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0207.725.696
Address: Koning Leopold III-laan, 8200 Brugge, Belgium
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: https://www.west-vlaanderen.be/
Total budget: EUR 668 677.07
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 401 206.24
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 267 470.83
- Gemeente Middelburg
-
Name: Gemeente Middelburg
Department: Living environment
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937840621
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL2128032B01
Address: Kanaalweg , 4337 PA Middelburg , Netherlands
Department address: Kanaalweg , 4337 PA Middelburg , Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.Middelburg.nl
Total budget: EUR 674 768.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 404 860.80
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 269 907.20
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center
-
Name: Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Department: NL Biodiversity and Society
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999603043
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL803595943 B01
Address: Darwinweg , 2333CR Leiden, Netherlands
Department address: Darwinweg , 2333CR Leiden, Netherlands
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.naturalis.nl/
Total budget: EUR 301 600.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 180 960.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 120 640.00
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20
- Bruxelles Environnement – Leefmilieu Brussel
-
Name: Bruxelles Environnement – Leefmilieu Brussel
Department: Green Spaces Division / Nature & Biodiversity Department / Nature Development Unit
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 972688453
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 236.916.956
Address: Avenue du Port, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Department address: Avenue du Port, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: https://environnement.brussels/
Total budget: EUR 604 700.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 362 820.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 241 880.00
- EFREI
-
Name: EFREI
Department: EFREI Research Lab/ Data and AI department
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 949660265
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR12398898338
Address: Avenue de la république , 94800 Villejuif, France
Department address: Avenue de la république , 94800 Villejuif, France
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.efrei.fr/
Total budget: EUR 372 183.80
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 223 310.28
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 148 873.52
- PLANETE Légumes Fleurs et Plantes
-
Name: PLANETE Légumes Fleurs et Plantes
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 948885526
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 54 490 537 065 | 490 537 065 00016
Address: Rue Jean Mermoz, 68127 SAINTE-CROIX-EN-PLAINE, France
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Other
Website: http://www.planete-lfp.fr/
Total budget: EUR 142 724.50
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 85 634.70
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 57 089.80
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20
- Département du Pas-de-Calais
-
Name: Département du Pas-de-Calais
Department: Resources and climate preservation
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 873073042
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR03176200012
Address: Rue Ferdinand Buisson, 62018 Arras, France
Department address: Rue Ferdinand Buisson, 62018 Arras, France
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: https://www.pasdecalais.fr/
Total budget: EUR 718 599.15
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 431 159.49
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 287 439.66
- Universiteit Gent
-
Name: Universiteit Gent
Department: Department of Plant & Crops
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999986096
Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0248.015.142
Address: Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Department address: Coupure links , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.ugent.be/bw/plants-and-crops/en
Total budget: EUR 696 197.80
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 417 718.68
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 278 479.12
- Ballyhoura Development CLG
-
Name: Ballyhoura Development CLG
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 934598784
Partner’s ID if not PIC: Company Registration number: CRO 190417 | Charities Registration Number: CHY 10671
Address: The Development Centre, Main Street, , V35T2P3 Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs
Website: http://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com
Total budget: EUR 668 395.80
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 401 037.48
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 267 358.32
GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20
- Gemeente Middelburg
-
Name: Gemeente Middelburg
Department: Living environment
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937840621
Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL2128032B01
Address: Kanaalweg , 4337 PA Middelburg , Netherlands
Department address: Kanaalweg , 4337 PA Middelburg , Netherlands
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.Middelburg.nl
Total budget: EUR 674 768.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 404 860.80
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 269 907.20
- Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau - FIBL
-
Name: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau - FIBL
Department: Department of Crop Sciences
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 907681090
Partner’s ID if not PIC: CHE-107.938.089
Address: Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
Department address: Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.fibl.org
Total budget: EUR 213 075.52
Partner contribution: EUR 213 075.52
Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner
Summary
Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million
Project acronym: PolliConnect
Project ID: NWE0400470
Project start date: 2025-01-01
Project end date: 2029-06-30
Project status: ongoing
Relevant linked projects:
- The Flemish Action Plan for Wild Pollinators 2022-2030 is a government initiative aimed at protecting and promoting wild pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plan focuses on:
- Habitat Conservation: Creating and maintaining suitable environments for pollinators.
- Reducing Pesticides: Minimizing the use of harmful pesticides and promoting eco-friendly farming practices.
- Research and Monitoring: Supporting research and monitoring of pollinator populations.
- Awareness and Education: Raising public and stakeholder awareness about the importance of pollinators.
- Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships among various groups to support pollinator conservation efforts. (EN) | Field tests focused on novel management techniques have been set up by VLM in Oudenaarde and Nieuwerkerken as part of the current action plan, funded under its framework and budget. These sites are currently being monitored by UGent. However, the available budget for these activities only extends until 2025. The PolliConnect project will facilitate the continuation and expansion of these field tests, allowing them to be integrated into a larger living lab. This will support a more comprehensive and long-term strategy for monitoring pollinators and biodiversity.
- The Environmental Department of the Flemish government which manges the action plan has asked to remain involved in the project (through VLM).
- (EN), EXPBIO: this is an interreg North Sea Region project that runs from 2024 to the end of 2027. The aim of Expbio is to strengthen the local biodiversity by focussing on native plants. This is important to preserve the genetic diversity of native plants, but also because local insects have adapted to the flowering period and the position of nectaries of native plants for feeding.
- The core activities of Expbio are the development of locally-sourced seed mixes for different restoration and educational purposes, experimentation with various grassland restoration methods aiming to support local ecosystems and raising awareness about biodiversity among students, the public, business and policymakers.
- (EN) | The intention with Expbio is to explore how we can enhance native plant diversity by using local seeds (seed bank, seed harvesting, …) and how we can improve grassland management to give local herbs more opportunities.The experiments in Polliconnect (the flower strips and mixtures and adapted mowing management) are an interesting complement to the Expbio case studies. (EN),
- The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is a framework bringing together different sectors across the island of Ireland to create a landscape where pollinators can survive and thrive. Implementation is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
- Like the rest of North Western Europe, Ireland is facing a catastrophic decline in pollinator biodiversity. This is due to the reduced amount of food available and safe nesting sites. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan(AIPP)was developed to respond to this decline. It's a shared evidence-based action plan that multiple sectors can implement, including councils, businesses, communities, and Farmland. The motivation for its development is very similar to that of the development of Polliconnect.
- (EN) | Both Polliconnect and AIPP place a strong emphasis on using citizen science both as both a citizen scientist engagement tool and for monitoring pollinator populations. They also both have a strong emphasis on innovation, Polliconnect through its use of development of living labs and the AIPP through the creation of a road map for cross societal engagement with pollinators. (EN), EU Nature Restoration Law and Biodiversity Strategy
- The Nature Restoration Law is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind. It is a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the most potential to capture and store carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
- The law entered into force on August 18 2024 (EN) | Specifically for pollinating insects the Restoration law targets a reversing of the decline of pollinator populations by 2030, and achieving an increasing trend for pollinator populations, with a methodology for regular monitoring of pollinators. Several partners are active in areas designated as Natura 2000 sites, including Friesland in the Netherlands, Brussels and VLM in Belgium, and Bremen in Germany. Additionally, there is a wild bee reserve in West Flanders where one of the living labs is set up. (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 7 079 479.95
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 4 119 842.65
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 58.19%
Co-financing sources:
- ERDF: Amount, EUR 4 119 842.65. Co-financing rate, 58.19%.
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Deliverables:
- 1 database setup for input data collected in A3.1
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Database implemented and available for all partners
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Database setup and content available after project lifetime.
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 8 living labs designs, each containing of at least a location with 2 pilot sites
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 8 pilot site plans for implementation of techniques for pollinator biodiversity enhancement (VLM)
- 1 midterm progress report
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 end report
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 jointly developed basic monitoring protocol
- (Lead: PWF & CD62 & WP2)
- Installation of monitoring transects and camera's for datacollection in A2.1 and 2.2
- (Lead:PWF&CD62)
- 1 midterm progress report on the implementation of pollinator biodiversity enhancement techniques
- 1 final progress report with conclusions and recommendations (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 masterclass for citizens in all participating LL interested in basic monitoring (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 toolkit
- (Lead: PWF & CD62 & WP3)
- 1 guide aimed at local public authorites
- (Lead: PWF & CD62 & WP3)
- 1 guide aimed at agricultural advisory organisations
- (Lead: PWF & CD62 & WP3)
- 1 basic tender with state of the art technical demands for pollinator-friendly management (Lead: BE)
- 1 tested business model
- (Lead: SUKW)
- 1 draft strategy
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 draft action plan aimed at landscape managers (local public authorities...)
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- 1 draft action plan aimed at agricultural advisory organisations
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Policy Briefing Package – Created by PWF, CD62, and Inova,
- Implementation Toolkit for local authorities – Developed by PWF, CD62, and Inova,
- Capacity-Building Package for the agricultural sector– Designed by PWF, CD62, and Inova
- Database
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Pilot site plans implemented
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Guide for local and regional public authorities
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Guide for agricultural advisory organizations
- (Lead: PWF & CD62)
- Standard Bidding Document for local and regional public authorities
- (Lead: BE)
- Tested business models
- (Lead: SUKW)
- Trans sectorial workshops
- Scientific monitoring protocol based on transect walks for pollinators
- (lead: UGent)
- Basic monitoring protocol for evaluating pollinator enhancement actions
- (lead: UGent)
- Innovative Camera-trap monitoring protocol
- (lead: Naturalis)
- 1 joint methodology for monitoring with camera-trap and AI determination (first version)
- l:Naturalis
- 1 joint methodology for monitoring with camera-trap and AI determination (end version)
- l:Naturalis
- 1 report on the set-up of camera-traps tested in the field for pollinator monitoring
- (l: Naturalis)
- 1 report on the AI techniques used on camera-traps for pollinator monitoring
- (l: EFFREI)
- Report on different monitoring results in relation to site management
- (l: UGent)
- Concept of an novel monitoring protocol for pollinators
- (l: EFREI and Naturalis)
- 2 webinars on camera-trap and AI methodology for pollinators' identification
- (lead:Naturalis,EFREI)
- 1 webinar on disseminating monitoring findings to the agricultural sector
- (lead: FIBL)
- 1 paper on the improved camera-traps methodology for pollinators
- (lead: EFREI)
- 1 paper on the monitoring method results to assess novel management for pollinators
- (l:UGent)
- 1 final report on effects of measures evaluated through a basic monitoring scheme
- (l: EFREI & UGent)
- 1 stakeholder identification report per Living Lab
- Analysis of stakeholder needs
- Shortlist for database parameters
- Stakeholder information collection events and questionnaires
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Internal awareness raising program
- Inventory of already existing best practices and training schemes
- Exchange of best practices (including site visits and videos)
- 1 training scheme aimed at landscape managers (local public authorities...)
- 1 training scheme aimed at farmers and agricultural advisory organizations
- 1 Masterclass on pollinators via citizen science
- 1 multilingual chatbot on pollinator biodiversity
- Awareness raising campaign aimed at schools
- 1 transnational trajectory aimed at landscape managers (local public authorities...)
- 1 transnational trajectory aimed at agricultural advisory organisations
- Checklist and report on addressing financial aspects of deployment of the living labs.
- Communication and dissemination plan
- Communication results report
- PolliConnect Communication
- Toolkit
- Communication event-Closing conference
- Opening event
- International partner meetings
- Demonstration Site Setup
- Data Collection & Observation
- Technical Report & Dissemination
- Stakeholder Engagement & Knowledge Transfer
- Stakeholder Engagement Plan
- Bi-Annual Network Meetings Reports
- PolliConnect Network Newsletter
Programme Common Output Indicator:
-
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
Programme Common Result Indicator:
-
RCR 081 - Completions of joint training schemes, Measurement unit:
-
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
2025-05-12
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)
739 / 739 (100%)
Notes on the data