SpongeBoost Launched

SpongeBoost launched The EU Horizon project "SpongeBoost" has kicked off with a meeting in Leipzig. The project has a duration of four years.

CONSORTIUM

A consortium of 10 partners from 7 European countries will work on scaling up the natural sponge functions of freshwater ecosystems. Stroming will establish a 'state of the art' Pan-European database to make knowledge of projects and studies on the natural sponge function of the landscape available.

We look forward to collaborating with SpongeBoost partners!

More information about sponges can be found on the Natural sponges website of Wetlands International (in collaboration with Bureau Stroming). This has been made possible with EU LIFE funding.

Goal Spongeboost

The aim is to identify effective ways to enhance or restore landscapes’ natural water retention capacity. By consolidating existing knowledge, utilising best practices, and testing innovative approaches, the project will create a roadmap for implementing transformative measures to improve resilience to extreme events. This involves synthesising information for policy-making, practical restoration, and land-use planning, as well as showcasing successful examples of sponge restoration and its multiple benefits.

Through active engagement at local and European levels, stakeholders will be supported in implementing cost-effective and innovative solutions for restoring soil sponge functions in wetlands and groundwater systems. The project aligns with EU Climate Change Adaptation goals, contributing to climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, and societal benefits from nature-based solutions. The consortium members, involved in various restoration projects, collaborate to promote networking, knowledge exchange, and synergies across European regions, working towards a lasting positive impact on sponge restoration for climate change adaptation.

Navigation guide

The SpongeBoost project launched a new database, S.P.O.N.G.E (Sponge Projects Online Navigation Guide Europe), developed by project partners at Bureau Stroming. The platform aims to function as a portal to sponge projects and measures from 9 existing major international databases from the projects, REWET, WaterLands, NWRM, SER, WOCAT, MERLIN, Alfawetlands, Restore4cs, and WET HORIZONS – alongside new case studies from the SpongeBoost consortium.