Otter over de grens

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Belgium-The Netherlands (Vlaanderen-Nederland)

Date of latest update: 2025-10-31

Description

Description (NL):

De Europese otter als beschermde soort staat centraal in dit project dat tot doel heeft de populaties in Nederland, Vlaanderen en het westen van Duitsland te verbinden. In de jaren '80 was de otter in Nederland en Vlaanderen uitgestorven, maar recente inspanningen leidden tot een bloeiende populatie in het noorden van Nederland. De otter verschijnt nu ook sporadisch in Vlaanderen, maar er zijn dringende verbeteringen nodig in de habitat en de ecologische verbindingen. Het project richt zich op drie aspecten om de verbindingen te verbeteren: verkeer: het verminderen van aanrijdingennatte natuur: herstel van moerassen en rivierenvoedsel: zorgen voor voldoende en kwalitatieve vis Deze inspanningen hebben ook positieve effecten op bredere milieuproblemen zoals klimaatadaptatie, waterkwaliteit, biodiversiteit en natuurlijke oplossingen. Het project voorziet, naast monitoring en onderzoek, ingrepen voor meer en betere natte natuur en het wegwerken van infrastructurele knelpunten op strategische plaatsen in de Maas- en Scheldevallei, de Biesbosch en de Antitankgracht. Zo zullen in de Maasvallei, en specifiek Kempen-Broek, rijke moerasnatuur, doorstroommoerassen en natte verbindingen aangelegd worden. Otterhabitat in stedelijke omgeving zal voorzien worden in het centrum van Breda, waar het nieuwe Seeligpark langs de Ecologische Verbindingszone ligt die de Biesbosch, het moerasgebied Weimeren en de beekdalen bovenstrooms van Breda met elkaar verbindt. Er wordt een voor de otter ingerichte ruimte gerealiseerd, een zogenaamde ‘natuurfabriek’. Langs de oevers van de lokale watergang wordt een heuse ‘otterboulevard’ gecreëerd door een buis in te graven met regelmatige uitgangen waardoor de dieren zich ongezien kunnen verplaatsen. Langs de Polsmeerssloot in Oost-Vlaanderen worden er oevers afgeschuind en zal de waterloop op een aantal punten lokaal verbreed worden. Zo kan er zich een bredere oever- en moerasvegetatie ontwikkelen, die naast leefgebied voor de otter ook gunstig is voor het visbestand. De otter fungeert als ambassadeur voor schoon water en natte natuur, waardoor het project niet alleen fantastisch nieuws is voor de terugkeer van deze toppredator, maar ook een kans biedt om het brede publiek te informeren over het belang van biodiversiteit en natuurlijke oplossingen. De uitdagingen vereisen een integrale aanpak waarbij beheerders, beleidsmakers en het brede publiek actief betrokken zullen worden.

Description (EN):

The European otter, recognized as a protected species, is central to this project aimed at connecting populations across the Netherlands, Flanders, and western Germany. In the 1980s, the otter was extinct in both the Netherlands and Flanders, but recent conservation efforts have led to a thriving population in the northern part of the Netherlands. The otter now appears sporadically in Flanders, but urgent improvements in habitat and ecological connections are necessary. The project focuses on three key areas to enhance these connections: 1. Traffic: Reducing collisions between vehicles and otters. 2. Wetlands: Restoring marshes and rivers to create suitable habitats. 3. Food: Ensuring a sufficient supply of high-quality fish. These initiatives also contribute positively to broader environmental challenges such as climate adaptation, water quality, biodiversity, and the implementation of natural solutions. In addition to monitoring and research, the project includes interventions to create more and better wetlands, as well as to eliminate infrastructural bottlenecks at strategic locations in the Maas and Scheldt valleys, the Biesbosch, and the Antitankgracht. In the Meuse valley, specifically in Kempen-Broek, rich marsh nature will be developed, featuring flow-through marshes and wet connections. Urban otter habitats will also be established in the center of Breda, particularly in the new Seeligpark, which lies along the Ecological Connection Zone that links the Biesbosch, the Weimeren marsh area, and the upstream stream valleys of Breda. This area will house a specially designed space for otters, often referred to as a ‘nature factory.’ Moreover, an ‘otter boulevard’ will be created along the banks of a local waterway by burying a pipe with regular exits, allowing the animals to move unseen. In East Flanders, along the Polsmeerssloot, the banks will be sloped, and the watercourse will be widened at several points. This will facilitate the development of broader bank and marsh vegetation, which will not only serve as a habitat for the otters but will also benefit the fish population. The otter serves as a symbol for clean water and wetlands, making this project a significant opportunity for the restoration of this top predator and for raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and natural solutions. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach, actively involving managers, policymakers, and the general public.

Actual Achievements (NL): Bevorderen van biodiversiteit en groene infrastructuur en verminderen van verontreiniging.

Actual Achievements (EN): Promoting biodiversity and green infrastructure and reducing pollution.

Thematic information

Waterways, lakes and rivers Infrastructure Climate change and biodiversity

Type of intervention: 078 Protection, restoration and sustainable use of Natura 2000 sites

Partners (16)

Lead Partner: Vlaamse Overheid

PIC (Participant Identification Code): D831BB2B-6E76-4AF2-A479-E02DD2988E21

Address: Havenlaan, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.natuurenbos.be

Total budget: EUR 364 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 182 250.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Waterschap Brabantse Delta

Name: Waterschap Brabantse Delta

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 52300C60-DB38-4F10-A8F4-EA722B71893D

Address: Bouvignelaan, 4836 AA Noord Brabant, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.brabantsedelta.nl/

Total budget: EUR 499 920.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 249 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland vzw

Name: Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland vzw

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 0ACB4496-7AE5-4835-B6CC-DC07BA079ECD

Address: Winterslagstraat, 3600 Genk, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://rlkm.be/

Total budget: EUR 37 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 18 750.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Province East Flanders

Name: Province East Flanders

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 2959A1B1-2AC2-4887-9949-DB8BCF9D41C4

Address: Charles de Kerchovelaan, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website (not verified): https://www.oost-vlaanderen.be

Total budget: EUR 115 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 46 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 40.00%

Regionaal Landschap Rivierenland

Name: Regionaal Landschap Rivierenland

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 5103B4D7-521A-4498-862F-D945BD2BD275

Address: Hallestraat, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.rlrl.be

Total budget: EUR 75 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 37 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Stichting Ark

Name: Stichting Ark

PIC (Participant Identification Code): F83E5693-D889-4F01-9297-D8F6D9E13192

Address: Winselingseweg, 6541 AH Nijmegen, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.ark.eu/

Total budget: EUR 400 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 200 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Provincie Antwerpen

Name: Provincie Antwerpen

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 4B6EB550-B726-4E01-BACF-A8F7AF0BCA5C

Address: Koningin Elisabethlei, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.provincieantwerpen.be

Total budget: EUR 79 940.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 39 970.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Gemeente Breda

Name: Gemeente Breda

PIC (Participant Identification Code): C3F342B1-2E41-47EC-A8A1-9B3918E89DD9

Address: Claudius Prinsenlaan, 4811DJ Breda, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.breda.nl

Total budget: EUR 429 977.25

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 214 988.62

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Zoogdierstichting

Name: Zoogdierstichting

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 54894762-185E-4BA3-8C99-9522A47B9399

Address: Toernooiveld, 6525 ED Nijmegen, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.zoogdiervereniging.nl

Total budget: EUR 58 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 29 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Flemish Environmental Agency

Name: Flemish Environmental Agency

PIC (Participant Identification Code): D98B39E9-4F46-4DE3-8244-7D4BD4DC8265

Address: Dokter De Moorstraat, 9300 Aalst, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://www.vmm.be/

Total budget: EUR 110 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 55 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Durme VZW

Name: Durme VZW

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 1D0E14E8-7872-4DC9-91DC-7A09DAB09A3C

Address: Molsbergenstraat, 9160 Lokeren, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.vzwdurme.be

WWF Vlaanderen

Name: WWF Vlaanderen

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 8715A721-3346-4CC8-B71B-4BFC5C3AA2DE

Address: Emile Jacqmainlaan, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: N.a.

Website (not verified): http://www.wwf.be

Total budget: EUR 80 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 40 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Eigen Vermogen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek

Name: Eigen Vermogen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 443A0090-02D8-4A39-B671-44A1DBDBB919

Address: Herman Teirlinckgebouw Havenlaan, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.inbo.be

Total budget: EUR 300 120.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 150 060.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Regionaal Landschap de Voorkempen

Name: Regionaal Landschap de Voorkempen

PIC (Participant Identification Code): F82C261A-0240-4AD4-98E4-4358CE834A44

Address: Schildesteenweg, 2520 Ranst, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.rldv.be

Total budget: EUR 203 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 101 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Regionaal Landschap Schelde-Durme

Name: Regionaal Landschap Schelde-Durme

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 144B0F11-0F20-49F2-BDB1-24326373D8EE

Address: Markt, 9230 Wetteren, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.rlsd.be

Total budget: EUR 126 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 63 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Limburgs Landschap

Name: Limburgs Landschap

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 949C1209-7C40-4F12-926F-1162DAB3344A

Address: Dekenstraat, 3550 Heusden-Zolder, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.limburgs-landschap.be

Total budget: EUR 144 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 72 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Waterschap Brabantse Delta

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Vlaamse Overheid

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland vzw

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Province East Flanders

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Regionaal Landschap Rivierenland

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Stichting Ark

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Provincie Antwerpen

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

gemeente Breda

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Zoogdierstichting

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Durme VZW

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

WWF Vlaanderen

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Eigen Vermogen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Regionaal Landschap de Voorkempen

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Regionaal Landschap Schelde-Durme

Otter over de grens

Partners and Projects info

Limburgs Landschap

Otter over de grens

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (NL): Otter over de grens

Project acronym: Int6B051

Project ID: 0C3A6B93-A241-45F9-8D40-8795C92D8B25

Project start date: 2024-04-01

Project end date: 2027-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 3 022 958.05

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 499 979.02

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 49.62%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Belgium-The Netherlands (Vlaanderen-Nederland)

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

2025-10-31

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

64 / 64 (100%)

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

737 / 737 (100%)

Notes on the data

Project CrossCare 2.0 is a special project with its own dedicated funding stream. This structure allows CrossCare 2.0 to independently launch funding calls and allocate financial support directly to participating companies. The total project budget, €7 million (incl. co-financing), includes both the central project funding and the amounts distributed to individual subprojects.

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Otter over de grens

Description

Thematic information

Partners (16)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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