Waterways Forward

Topic:

Sustainable development strategies for inland waterways.

EU Programme:

INTERREG IVC

Duration:

2010-2014

Activities IIUE:

Organises the kick-off meeting in Delft, the Netherlands (Februari 2010) for the Dutch partner Association Regio Water.
Consults the Association Regio Water during the project. This partners coordinates the theme Environment and Climate Change.

Rationale:

On February 11 and 12 the project Waterways Forward officially started. This is an international project that wants to explore how the management of regional inland waterways and the regions adjacent to them can be improved. The partners stake into account the multi-functional role of waterways and therefore chose an integrated, sustainable and participatory approach. Aim is to enhance the quality of life of the citizen’s living near these waterways.

Summary:

This project addresses two broad themes:
1) Governance
Developing ‘state of the art’ models for integrated regional policies to boost a balanced integrated socio-economic development of inland waterways such as tourism and sustainable transport.

2) Environment and Climate Change
Investigating how the multi-functional use of regional waterways van be further developed, taking into consideration the living environment and the challenges posed by climate change. Topics are water surplusses and shortages, the possible impact of water bound ecosystems and waste water problems. The Dutch partner Association Regio Water is coordinator of this theme.

Seventeen partners from thirteen European countries lead by Stichting Recreatietoervaart Nederland (NL) exchange knowledge and expertise and cooperate to develop regional strategies and actions that contribute to multi-functional use of Europe’s inland waterways.

Waterways Forward is one of 74 projects that were approved by the Interreg IVC programma of the European Commission in November from 481 applications that were submitted.