We were thrilled to see the BT Project Coordinator Dr Ilke Borowski-Maaser presenting TOPSOIL as a Best Practice at the Joint meeting of the European Network of Environmental Authorities – Managing Authorities (ENEA-MA) and the Energy and Managing Authorities Network (EMA) in Madrid on 24 October 2024!
It’s fascinating how one thing can lead to another! During the recent RegioStars Awards event in Brussels, the Interreg NSR VB project TOPSOIL hit the spotlights. And although the project didn’t end first, this forerunner to the Blue Transition project is a winner. Many of the TOPSOIL project partners are now build further on what has been achieved within Blue Transition, using the results of groundwater and soil research and the links to agriculture and nature.
Dr Borowski-Maaser made the case for Interreg’s role in implementing water resilience through Cohesion Policy. As a best practice example from the Interreg NSR Programme, her main message highlighted two important aspects from TOPSOIL - the research carried out in collaboration with T-TEM and close engagement with stakeholders – farmers in particular.
At the Regiostar Awards, Stevie Swenne, representing Flanders Environment Agency and partner in both projects, explained: ”Through the TOPSOIL project, we tackled one of the most pressing challenges of climatechange adaptation. Together, we identified and tested solutions to protect, enhance, and improve the potential of our precious groundwater. As a result of the project, we have initiated changes that will make our Flemish and European environment better, safer and more climate-resilient.”
Blue Transition continues the work initiated during TOPSOIL, finding solutions to balance water and land use now and in the future.