The Role of EKBY

EKBY will contribute as a thematic coordinator, harmonizing the technical work of the case studies on the two solutions for adaptation, risk prevention, and climate change mitigation (carbon storage and flood impact mitigation) in five Mediterranean wetlands (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Spain, Italy).

EKBY will be the coordinating partner for developing a dynamic, user-oriented Transfer Plan to integrate wetland-based solutions into actions for climate change adaptation and mitigation at the Euro-Mediterranean level, evaluating technical issues, stakeholder needs, and challenges and synergies in policy and governance. This plan will be based on the results of the carbon sequestration assessment and flood impact mitigation from the five case studies.

Finally, EKBY will implement the pilot case in Greece, focusing on Lake Kerkini and over 80 smaller wetlands in the Strymonas basin. The two wetland-based solutions, carbon sequestration and flood impact mitigation, will be mapped and evaluated and their application at three policy levels will be explored in close collaboration with the associated partners (Special Managing Authority of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 of Greece, Regional Unit of Serres, and Municipality of Irakleia). Through meetings with the associated partners and technical trainings with project partners, EKBY will propose solutions and best practices for the conservation and restoration of wetlands, which can be adopted by the corresponding authorities at all three policy levels to improve climate change adaptation and mitigation. Additionally, EKBY, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology and Landscape Architecture of the University of Forestry in Bulgaria, will attempt to evaluate the two wetland-based solutions in the cross-border Strymonas basin.