Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia Serbia

Date of latest update: 2026-05-25

Description

Description (EN):

One of the major challenges that affect Continental region of Europe are related to climate change and extreme weather events as its aftermaths (mostly droughts, floods, and storms). This specially targets forest ecosystems, such as those which are ecologically important, not only in terms of ecosystem services providing, but also as an important oasis of biodiversity. One of such ecosystems is the SPAČVA-BOSUT BASIN, one of the largest coherent complexes of lowland Pedunculate oak forests in Europe connecting the Republic of Croatia and Serbia, building an important ecological corridor between those two countries. After the last extreme storm occurred in the summer of 2023 and long term influences of droughts and groundwater deficit a significant part of the Spačva- Bosut Basin ecosystem potential was destroyed. The aftermath became not only visible to experts, but also to a wider population. Based on existing data on climate extremes the overall project objective was set up: TO INCREASE CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF THE SPAČVA-BOSUT BASIN BY INNOVATIVE PILOT ACTIONS AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS READY FOR UPTAKE BY NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CHARGE OF WATER AND FOREST MANAGEMENT. To fulfil the project objective innovation actions are needed to gather different experts, not only from the field of forestry, but also those from the scope of Geology, Water science, Ecology, Biology, and Bioeconomy. Such an approach, based on INTERDISCIPLINARITY can provide HOLISTIC APPROACH in problem solving which is needed for such a complex issue. For this purpose, INTERDISCIPLINARY CONSORTIUM was built, composed of managing authorities for water and forest management in Croatia and Serbia, and two organisations supporting coordination and relation to the EU funding instruments and projects, contributing to the mission of climate neutral and sustainable environment. Such consortium defined THREE IMPORTANT SETS OF ACTIVITIES structured into two works packages: a) initial preconditioning for the innovation action (baseline assessment and knowledge transfer), b) innovation pilot actions that provide innovative replicable solutions for the improvement of climate resilience needed for water and forest managing authorities, c) strong Community of Practice development. Strong networking is important to avoid a fragmented cooperation between stakeholders and project partners, ensuring holistic approach in problem solving, because the sustainability of ecosystems is not a manner of specific expertise or specific organisation, it is an interdisciplinary issue that connects many scopes providing an opportunity to do the right thing-to save nature. Such a set of actions will generate important outputs that will be used in the framework of CRO-SRB water and forest managing authorities. These are: a) JOINTLY DEVELOPED ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES TOWARDS CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SPAČVA-BOSUT BASIN-needed for all project partners and organizations that are the Community of Practice members. It shows the was towards future action and long-term impact in climate resilience, b) 7 PILOT ACTIONS SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED that provides innovative jointly developed solution-these actions are needed for all stakeholders and functionality of the Centre for the Climate Change Monitoring c) Two solutions jointly developed: JOINTLY DEVELOPED AND DEMONSTRATED SOLUTION (NBS) FOR DROUGHT EXTREMES MITIGATION (will provide incorporation of NbS practice in future restoration actions) and JOINTLY DEVELOPED CENTRE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MONITORING that will be taken up and managed by CEKOM. This is the most important solution that contributes to the action plan implementation, Community of Practice growing and future restoration actions by connecting local, regional, and national water and forest related stakeholders. All of these actions will contribute to the revitalisation and protection of the mentioned project area. This will have a multi-sectoral impact connecting two countries from which one is non-EU. In this matter, cross-border cooperation is necessary because the Spačva-Bosut Basin is an ecological corridor that connects two mentioned countries and all of the challenges of revitalisation through innovation action need to be tackled jointly. Cross-border cooperation and interdisciplinary approach provide data exchange and collaboration between different organisations from scientific sector, sector of management, and policy level organisations from both countries which is important for solution functionality and Community of Practice widening. The originality of this project is in the cross-border connection between water and forest managing authorities with the common goal of ecosystem revitalization. This is a new approach in both countries, because the previous approaches were scope specific only to water/forest ecosystem revitalization.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the first reporting period, all partners involved in the implementation of the RETFOR project successfully carried out key preparatory activities that significantly contribute to achieving the project’s objectives. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening the resilience of forest ecosystems and establishing an effective climate change monitoring system in the Spačva–Bosut basin area. The operational phase of the project officially began in December 2024 with the first Project Team meeting (PT1) held on 6th December in Vinkovci. On 10th April 2025, the project’s official Kick-off Conference was held in Novi Sad, attended by all project partners, target group representatives, and media. Constitutive meeting of 1st Project Supervisory Board was on 10th April 2025. The following day, 11th April the second Project Team meeting (PT2) took place, during which further steps and operational guidelines for project implementation were defined. As part of the infrastructure activities, CF conducted public procurement for the acquisition of basic IT equipment, and a contract was signed for the development of the Programme for the Revitalisation of the Piezometric Network – a key prerequisite for establishing a reliable climate monitoring system. In parallel, preparations began for the public procurement procedure for the renovation of the Climate Change Monitoring Centre, one of the project’s core infrastructural outputs. Additionally, PWMCVV completed procurement process for engaging an external expert to prepare technical documentation for the reconstruction of the Bosut Sluice, thus fulfilling the first objectives within the infrastructure-focused work package. In terms of communication and visibility, a comprehensive Communication Plan was developed, and the project was presented to the wider public through active social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram) and publications on the partners’ official websites. Media coverage further enhanced project visibility, while a promotional film—currently in production—aims to raise public awareness about the importance of forest protection and climate resilience. Within Work Package A1, the Stakeholder Mapping and Assessment Tool was developed and implemented. This tool enables structured identification, assessment, and categorization of key stakeholders based on their relevance and interest in the project. The results provide a foundation for establishing a Community of Practice, which will play a key role in future implementation and dissemination of project outcomes. The collaboration among project partners has been continuous and well-coordinated through the Microsoft Teams platform, phone and regular email communication, ensuring effective information exchange, timely decision-making, and joint progress in achieving project goals. During the second reporting period, the RETFOR project made substantial progress in laying the foundation for future infrastructure and research activities aimed at strengthening climate resilience in the Spačva-Bosut area. Although this phase focused primarily on analytical and preparatory work, the results achieved provide a solid platform for the project's continuation. The most significant joint achievement is the completion of a comprehensive database summarizing historical, scientific, and technical information relevant to forests, water systems, and climate trends in the cross-border area. For the first time, data from Croatia and Serbia have been combined into a single reference document, providing an essential tool for planning future project activities, including the upcoming feasibility study and the development of the Climate Resilience Action Plan. Additionally, all partners have published technical data from the pilot sites on their websites, further improving transparency and public understanding of the project's objectives and activities. On the operational level, the first concrete steps have been taken towards establishing a joint cross-border groundwater monitoring system. Croatian Waters has successfully completed four tender procedures for the drilling, equipment, and supervision of two deep piezometers, marking the beginning of a key component of the climate monitoring infrastructure. Vojvodinašume finalized the tender for piezometer automation on the Serbian side, while Vode Vojvodina and Hrvatske vode have advanced the documentation for the reconstruction of the Bosut barier. Croatian forest are finished public procurement and waiting for contract to be signed for the equpining of the Climate Change Monitoring Center. Although some procedures have experienced administrative delays, all discrepancies have been effectively resolved by adjusting the expenditure schedule without impacting the overall budget. Overall, the project has successfully prepared all the prerequisites for the transition to the next phase, which involves concrete fieldwork, equipment installation, and the collection of new monitoring data. The progress made during this period confirms that RETFOR is making steady progress.

Project outputs: Jointly developed action plan for implementation activities towards climate resilience in the Spačva-Bosut Basin (EN)
Cross-border groundwater monitoring in the area of Spačva-Bosut Basin(EN)
Upgraded Lipovac Barrier's Crown on the Bosut River in Croatia(EN)
Reconstructed Sluice on Bosut River in Serbia(EN)
Reconstructed Radosava Pond in Serbia(EN)
Jointly developed Centre for Climate Change Monitoring(EN)
Jointly developed and demonstrated solution (NbS) for drought extremes mitigation(EN)

Thematic information

Climate change and biodiversity Community integration and common identity

Priority: (VI-A_HR-S_2) Cooperating for greener and climate change resilient programme area

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: 058 Adaptation to climate change measures and prevention and management of climate related risks: floods and landslides (including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches)

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Hrvatske šume društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 69693144506

Department: Forest Department Vinkovci

Address: Ulica kneza Branimira, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Trg bana Josipa Šokčevića, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Enterprise, except SME

Website: http://www.hrsume.hr

Total budget: EUR 466 772.30

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 396 756.45

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 70 015.85

Contractors:

Name: FAKULTET ŠUMARSTVA I DT
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR07699719217
Name: eGarner d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR21578738729

Fond za evropske poslove i razvoj Autonomne pokrajine Vojvodine

Name: Fond za evropske poslove i razvoj Autonomne pokrajine Vojvodine

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 106652119

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina , 21108 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://vojvodinahouse.eu/

Total budget: EUR 250 740.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 213 129.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 611.00

Contractors:

Name: NET Computer Engineering d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: 100727484
Name: PRINT & DESIGN STUDIO STELLA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105909589
Name: Agencija Benedetto Cotrugli
VAT registration or tax identification number: 109530475

Centar kompetencija d.o.o. za istraživanje i razvoj

Name: Centar kompetencija d.o.o. za istraživanje i razvoj

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 91571971823

Address: Glagoljaška , 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia

Department address: Ambarine, 32273 Gradište, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.cekom.hr

Total budget: EUR 284 335.63

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 241 685.28

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 42 650.35

Javno vodoprivredno preduzeće „Vode Vojvodine” Novi Sad

Name: Javno vodoprivredno preduzeće „Vode Vojvodine” Novi Sad

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 102094162

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina, 21101 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://vodevojvodine.com/

Total budget: EUR 589 680.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 501 228.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 88 452.00

HRVATSKE VODE

Name: HRVATSKE VODE

Department: Water Management Department (WMD) for the Middle and Lower Sava River with Water Management Branch Office mali sliv „Biđ-Bosut“ seated in Vinkovci

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 28921383001

Address: Ulica grada Vukovara, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Josipa Kozarca , 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://www.voda.hr/hr

Total budget: EUR 674 800.31

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 573 580.26

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 101 220.05

Javno preduzeće Vojvodinašume

Name: Javno preduzeće Vojvodinašume

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101636567

Address: Preradovićeva, 21131 Petrovaradin, Serbia

Department address: Preradovićeva, 21131 Petrovaradin, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.vojvodinasume.rs

Total budget: EUR 541 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 460 530.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 81 270.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Fund for European Affairs and Development of AP Vojvodina

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Partners and Projects info

Competence Centre Ltd. for research and development

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Partners and Projects info

Public Water Management Company „Vode Vojvodine” Novi Sad

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Partners and Projects info

CROATIAN WATERS

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Partners and Projects info

Public Company Vojvodinašume

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Partners and Projects info

Croatian forests ltd.

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

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

Project name (EN): Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Project acronym: RETFOR

Project ID: HR-RS00195

Project start date: 2024-11-01

Project end date: 2027-10-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

H2020 SUPERB / Systemic solutions for upscaling of urgent ecosystem restoration for forest-related biodiversity and ecosystem services is a €20 million project funded by the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the EU Green Deal to restore thousands of hectares of forest landscape across Europe. By linking practical and scientific knowledge to be synergistically transformed into action and building a large and powerful multi-stakeholder network, SUPERB is creating transformative change towards large-scale restoration. SUPERB will carry out concrete restoration actions in 12 large-scale demonstration areas. These demos not only represent the diversity of stressors on European forests and the wide range of necessary restoration actions but also consider entire socio-ecological systems including people’s manifold needs for ecosystem goods and services. (EN) | The synergy between two projects can be found in the scope of biodiversity and restoration. Both projects contribute to the forest biodiversity in different ways, SUPERB through activities of connections between forestry practice and science which is also one of activities in RETFOR. RETFOR also takes into account the biodiversity category correlating it to the negative effect of climate change. Although RETFOR takes into account multisectoral managing approach connecting waters and forests managing authorities with their expertise and capacities, it also takes benefits from SUPERB in terms of definition of restoration term and forest restoration types. For the successful implementation of RETFOR, good practices and lessons learned during the implementation of SUPERB are of crucial importance, mostly for the preparation of the Output 1.1. because the mentioned good practices will be used in preliminary analysis highlighting good practice examples and achievement of SUPERB. (EN), Naturavita -“Demining, restoration and protection of forest and forestland in protected and Natura 2000 sites in Danube-Drava regions. The beneficiary of the project is Croatian Forests Ltd. together with
project partners, Ministry of the Interior, Croatian Waters, Public Institution Kopački rit Nature Park and Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. The value of the project is €50 million, of which the EU co-finances 85%. The aim of the project is demining, restoration and protection of forests and water resources in protected and Natura 2000 areas in Osijek-Baranja County, which are contaminated with explosive devices due to war activities which is why adequate forest management is not possible. (EN) | CF was the lead project partner in this project. The synergy can be found in Natura 2000 network that
was addressed by Naturavita. As it was previously described, almost a whole area from Croatian
side is under Natura 2000 protection. The results and information contained in Naturita will be used in RETFOR especially in the first period of implementation during baseline assessment. Data on Natura 2000 site and plant communities and habitat types will be used to describe initial status of the pilot locations and also Spačva Bosut Basin generally. Previously restore sites and ecosystem types will be mapped and presented as previously implemented restoration activities ready to be used for a data basis and future planned actions. (EN), HORIZON EUROPE/DAnube WETlands REStoration (DaWetRest) is designed to develop and demonstrate (pilot) concrete solutions applied on the Danube basin to address the challenges faced by its inland and coastal wetlands ecosystems’, namely on (i) biodiversity, (ii) water quality and availability, (iii) climate resilience and/or neutrality and (iv) socio-economic benefits for the local communities. These transformative and innovative solutions will be validated by local communities and main Regional and European-wide stakeholders. DaWetRest has the role to prepare and plan the replication, deployment and scaling up of the validated innovative solutions for the next mission’
s phase. For this important scope, DaWetRest project proposes several strong ideas, such as (i) building and selecting interventions based on extensive and prior know-how (sibling sites and non-EU experiences), (ii) local, regional and basin scale integrated interdependent analysis of results from the planned interventions, (iii) merge DaWetRest own data, models and digital tools with existing and future ones, towards a centralized knowledge centre in the future and (iv) involve the managing authorities and a number of local actors in the entire process, from the very beginning. Thus, DaWetRest results will accelerate and generalize the deployment of innovative solutions in the
second phase of the Mission. The demonstration of innovative and result-oriented solutions is organized in 3 DEMOs - DEMO Middle Danube (MD), DEMO Lower Danube (LD) and DEMO Danube Delta (DD). Each DEMO offers main intervention sites, pilots, sibling locations, replications, platforms/services, local stakeholders engagement and methodologies to strengthen the innovation, knowledge and cooperation in and beyond DaWetRest in Danube basin. (EN) | DaWetRest is the ongoing project with the aim to improve wetlands and floodplains of European Danube Region by using systemic, community engaged approach. The most valuable part that will support RETFOR is the heterogeneous
organizations included in the project implementation. 46 organizations from 12 European countries are engaged in DaWetRest and one of pilot actions will be conducted in Croatia in Osijek-Baranja County which belongs to the programme area. Since CEKOM is the project partner, it will help the interdisciplinary networking and connection in order to contribute to results uptake. The plan is to present RETFOR's activities in one DaWetRest consortium meeting. (EN), HORIZON2020 „My Sustainable Forest – Earth observation services for silviculture” 2017-2020, Partners: Spain, Portugal, France, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Croatia (WP leader). MySustainableForest is focused on the provision of Earth Observation based added value geoinformation products for the forest-based market to enhance the sustainable forest management by End-Users. (EN) | The synergies are visible in digital monitoring systems. Both projects use satellite observations to achieve their objectives. By using results, outputs and recommendations from this project the implementation efficiency will be higher. Both projects use Copernicus satellite images (Sentinel 2) to cover forestry area and to assess its status, as well as the status of water bodies. (EN), EU projects implemented by the Fund and PWMCVV in the previous period: Environmentally friendly water management in plain areas (eWAM), within IPA Cross-border Co-operation Progrаmme Hungary-Serbia 2007-2013, and Eco-friendly water management against extreme weather conditions in the cross-border area (ECOWAM), from Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Hungary-Serbia 2014-2020. (EN) | The overall objective of the eWAM was to improve cooperation and monitoring in water management in AP Vojvodina and Csongrád County, while the project ECOWAM aimed at preventing the negative effects on the quality of water bodies by establishing a joint system of improvement of water management in AP Vojvodina and Csongrád County. The eWAM included the improvement of the water flow of the Jegrička River and Kurca Canal in the cross-border region by dredging and removing sludge and excess vegetation from the riverbed, the development of a joint monitoring and analysis system to prevent flooding in the cross-border region, as well as the preservation of the biodiversity of the Jegrička River and Kurca Canal by water quality improvement. In the continuation, the project ECOWAM was reaching the improvement of the water balance of the Jegrička River and Kurca main canal in the CBC region (by sludge dredging, building works and overgrown vegetation removal from the riverbed), the development of a joint monitoring and analysis system to preserve the water quality and biodiversity in CBC region, and also the definition of a long-term solutions to prevent the quality degradation of water bodies. One of the activities was held in the territory of the Jegrička Nature Park where the pupils of Elementary school was involved in afforestation where they had the opportunity to plant white poplar, as well as to learn about the nature park from the representatives of the PWMC "Vode Vojvodine".
RETFOR project will lean on the previous expertise and knowledge both FEP and PWMCVV gained during the implementation of the strategic project eWAM and ECOWAM. FEP will continue to support strong networking through organization of the experts and awareness raising events to enable cooperation between wide range of stakeholders and project partners, ensuring holistic approach. The key synergy among projects is preservation of water (and forests) ecosystems thus preservation of biodiversity. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 808 128.24

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 386 908.99

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 2 386 908.99. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Overview of hystorical and previously generated data
Study on biodiversity of the Bosut forests
Pre-feasibility study for the Spačva forests climate resilience and Centre future development
Technical data on pilot locations presented on project partners web sites
Selected Good practices in climate change monitoring
Overview of the conducted awareness raising and knowledge transfer activities
Stakeholder mapping and assessment tool developed
Community of Practice document
Communciation, Dissemination, and Awareness Raising Plan
Organized events for project promotion and awarness raising
Technical documentation on installed shallow piezometers and meteorological stations
Results on monitoring system at 2 piezometers 60 m depth
Guidelines for the groundwater monitoring system functionality and integration
Detailed Report of upgrade Lipovac Barrier’s Crown on the Bosut River
Detailed Report on the Sluice reconstruction on the Bosut River in Serbia
Detailed Restoration Report for Radosava Pond in Serbia
The act between CF and CEKOM about the status of the Centre
Validation and functionality of the jointly developed pilot actions and solutions

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion „Protecting the Environment“is one of the 4 EUSDR pillars and is reflected within RETFOR objectives. Environment protection means quality response to climate change, which is one of the priorities of many strategies, policies, and initiatives. Spačva-Bosut Basin is an important part of the Danube River Basin and it is geographically closely connected to it.
On the other hand, the strengthening of cross-border cooperation is one of important activities of RETFOR which targets at the same time a stronger Croatian-Serbian bilateral cooperation (which addresses the pillar Building of prosperity). This will be achieved through the jointly developed solutions and it contributes to four actions of the EUSDR Action Plan related to PA06: (i) to contribute to the 2050 EU vision and 2020 EU target for biodiversity (RETFOR includes the biodiversity assessment); (ii) to protect and restore most valuable ecosystems and endangered species (Spačva Bosut Basin is one of the most valuable oak forests in Europe); (iii) to raise awareness of the general public by acknowledging and promoting the importance of climate change and potentials of natural assets as drivers of sustainable regional development.
The project addressed actions of the EUSDR Action Plan related to PA03: to support wetland and floodplain restoration as an effective means of enhancing flood protection. In this case, effective means NbS application without harmful effects to the environment.
Strongest connection in the Programme area, means a strong base for the connection in the Danube Region and this will be achieved by capacity building and institutional connections. It is also important to emphasize that both countries participate in the DTC network (CEKOM from Croatian side and some regional stakeholders from Serbian side) whose aim is to strengthen Danube Region capacity in different ways (connection, participation in EU funding and innovation driving).
EuropeanGreenDeal European Green Deal recognises the multi-functional role of forests in improving the well-being and health of citizens and future generations and helping Europe to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. They are one of the most important links in protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems. The project contributes to the EU Green Deal in each WP and mostly to its objective Achieving climate neutrality:
a) it provides data from the field and from existing projects that will help the definition of the status of the Spačva Bosut Basin and climate objectives on the local and regional level from both countries,
b) By implementing sustainable NbS in this project it helps a better status of Spačva Bosut Basin ecosystems and thus the higher rate of carbon storage in it,
c) by establishing Centre of Climate Change monitoring the continuous contribution to the climate mitigation and thus climate neutrality will be achieved which is regionally of importance for both countries, and especially for Serbia because its tendency to become a part of the European Union.
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The project contributes to EUSAIR, to Pillar 3, Topic 2: Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity. This project contributes directly to EUSAIR by restoring wetland habitats, creating natural retentions - nature-based solutions that absorb water and reduce water waves, thus directly contributing to mitigating climate change and high flood waters. One of the project outputs-the Action plan contributes to the preserving and improving the condition of existing and creating new surfaces of climate-resilient wetland habitats. This project can serve as a good practice example on the contribution to the mentioned pillar.
Other EU Strategy for Climate Change:
RETFOR uses regional approach which is one of approaches proposed in this Strategy. It contributes to this strategic document in following ways:
a) the project addresses general support to local authorities and communities to better understand, prepare, and manage climate risks and opportunities (WP1-through baseline assessment and knowledge transfer during the study visit, WP3-by the strategy that encompasses all innovative pilot action and solutions, as well as SBB state of the art),
b) It supports transformation to climate resilience by using directly demonstrators on the field (infrastructure building, restoration, and revitalisation pilot actions-WP2) which is one of favourable concepts of the EU Mission Climate Adaptation,
c) it supports systemic transformation by addressing uptake and scaling-up of the project achievements which is important for the future climate resilience action and RETFOR sustainability,
d) it contributes to climate neutrality by 2030 through the restoration and revitalisation activities (providing better condition for forest growth, thus the more efficient carbon storage). The activities of awareness raising contribute indirectly to understanding of climate change and the effect will manifest in form of better care for environment, less water pollution, and less illegal deforestation.
Other United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
RETFOR contributes to the following objective of this Agenda:
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss by providing inputs needed for sustainable forest management, providing plans and concrete actions against deterioration of natural ecosystems and halt of biodiversity loss.
All of these actions are contained firstly in the Output 1.1. and than in Output 2.4 ready to be taken up by organisations.
Sustainable Development Goals especially targeted by the project are:
1. SD13-climate action-whole RETFOR concept is based on climate action aiming at restoration of the ecosystem after the strong drought influence in cross-border area by implementing NbS,
2. SD14-life below water-by implementing innovative and not harmful pilot action of sluice reconstruction on Bosut River in Serbia, by upgrading barrier’s crown on the Bosut River in Lipovac in Croatia the water ecosystems of Bosut river and its tributaries will be improved in terms of water level and water quality. This will positively affect the status of freshwater species, predominantly fish species.
3. SD15-life on land-RETFOR's concreate NbS contribute to the status of many land species, and especially those related to the water.
4. SD17-partnership for goals-at the end of the project the Community of Practice will be established composed of the partners and organisation ready for the fulfilment of the future climate action for climate strengthening of Spačva Bosut Basin.
Other EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030:
RETFOR directly contributes to this strategy in following ways:
a) it builds the plan for revitalization and restoration based on the current state of the art and previous lessons learned (Output 1.1),
b) it conducts real actions in the environment for forest biodiversity preservation and preservation of some valuable plant species and varieties such as Quercus robur and its varieties,
c) it contributes to the biodiversity generally providing preconditions for biodiversity enhancement by the revitalization of forests which are primary ecosystems,
e) it contributes to awareness raising not only on climate change, but also on biodiversity,
f) it plans to conduct study on biodiversity in order to get better insight into possible biodiversity loss mitigation measures through interdisciplinary climate action.
Other EU Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030:
The project supports the objectives of this Mission by contributing to the scope of biodiversity and climate neutrality. After successful implementation of RETFOR, preconditions for biodiversity revitalization will be met. Forests, as primary ecosystems (primary producers) will increase biodiversity level though natural successions which is a natural process. The assumption is, that in upcoming years the number and heterogeneity of many biological taxa will be increased:
a) increase of birds biodiversity, especially waterfowl,
b) increase of insects,
c) increase of wild animals (deer's, hunting birds, wild boars, etc.).
It is well known that the Spačva-Bosut Basin is closely connected to the Danube River and Sava River, which is a Danube tributary and a part of the Danube River Basin and the benefit to the environment of wetlands will be evident. On the other hand, some of ongoing projects supported by the Mission co-financed projects such as DaWetRest and EcoDalli will provide necessary input for the implementation of RETFOR (stakeholders, previously implemented activities, data on baseline assessment).
Other New EU Forest Strategy for 2030
The strategy sets a vision and concrete actions to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience
RETFOR addresses objectives of the mentioned strategy in following ways:
a) it provides a comprehensive vision on how to improve forest ecosystems (WP1, Output 1.1, WP2, Output 2.4 and 2.5).
b) it provides concreate action on the field to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience (WP2 with all outputs).
All of these actions lead to a one of the most important objectives of the Strategy, which is sustainability reflected through the Centre for Climate Change Monitoring mostly dedicated to the Spačva Bosut Basin sustainability.
Other Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Croatia for the period until 2040 with a view to 2070 is the first strategic document that provides an assessment of climate change for Croatia by the end of 2040 and 2070, possible impacts and vulnerability assessments. The aim of the Strategy is to raise awareness of the importance and threats of climate change for society and the need to integrate the concept of climate change adaptation into existing and new policies, in order to reduce the vulnerability of the environment, economy, and society caused by climate change.
RETFOR contributes to this Strategy implementation by addressing its objectives in the Output 1,1 and by applying and networking the Centre for Climate Change Monitoring and connecting it to the most important stakeholders mapped and contacted during the project. Such networking and connecting creates the base for Strategy incorporation into to functional capacities of the Centre.
Other Serbian National Strategy for Sustainable Use of Natural Goods and Resources (Official Gazette of RS" no. 33/2012) within its overall objective dedicated to biodiversity protection and management envisages a specific objective aiming at the Improvement of habitat conservation status as a tool for the protection of biological resources in line with to EU directives. National Strategy for Sustainable Development - particularly to its priority dedicated to the rational use of natural resources.
All cross-border activities contribute to this strategy, because they provide the basis for the stability of biodiversity and biological resources. RETFOR also leads to the habitat improvement, especially through the revitalisation activities of the Radosava pond.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

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

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

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

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 IPA Croatia Serbia

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

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

41 / 41 (100%)

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

142 / 148 (95.95%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Disclaimer