The SpongeWork project, funded under the HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01 call, has just opened a call to select eight associated regions that will receive financial support up to €100,000 each to develop and implement innovative sponge measures for land and water management.

The SpongeWorks project aims to demonstrate practical, effective, economically feasible and socially inclusive integrated approaches and sustainable solutions that enhance the sponge functioning of interconnected ground-water, soil, and surface water systems at the regional scale.

The objective of the open call is to support the transfer of knowledge from SpongeWorks to the selected associated regions, allowing them to benefit from the demonstration activities and solutions developed as part of the project. This cooperation between the SpongeWorks project partners and the associated regions aims to make a significant contribution to a more integrated approach to enhancing landscape water retention capacity at the regional scale across Europe.

Who can apply?

Local and regional authorities, as well as river basin organisations and authorities, from EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries, except Austria, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

What SpongeWorks offers:

• Financial support to drive impactful initiatives, knowledge transfer and capacity building from experienced practitioners.
• Technical support and tools to develop and implement sponge measures and strategies.
• Networking opportunities and enhanced visibility at European level through the promotion of successful demonstration sites.

What SpongeWorks expects:

• Participate in workshops and training activities.
• Develop a ‘sponge strategy’ to improve landscape and soil water retention capacity, including an action plan and roadmap.
• Engage with local communities and stakeholders, through an integrated and inclusive multi-actor approach.
• Actively engage in knowledge-sharing activities, contributing to the exchange of best practices and lessons learned.

Deadline for application is 31 January 2025. Learn more in the dedicated ERRIN cascade funding page here.