- 298 200 ha
regional extension area
- 1 491 ha
of natural wetlands present in the area
- 2023-2027
Implementation timeline
Replicability
Built-in elements for transferring climate resilience practices across regions and landscapes.
Best suited for
Based on the sources, the proposed solutions can be replicated in regions with similar geographic and landscape characteristics, particularly flat coastal areas and low-lying zones where water management is a key priority. Estuarine systems and rural agricultural landscapes are also well suited for replication The project primarily focuses on the European Atlantic biogeographical region, though the general approach may be transferable to other areas facing comparable climate risks and environmental conditions.
Stakeholders' role
The replication of the proposed solutions in East Flanders and beyond relies on a multi-actor approach. The Flanders Environment Agency is positioned as the central actor, gathering knowledge on practical NBS application and facilitating replication of land development projects from the South-Western Flemish Ardennes. Provincial and municipal governments hold decision-making authority over territory management, permits and water management, making them essential for enabling implementation. Research and knowledge partners provide scientific evidence and technical assessments to inform replication, while water managers and authorities are critical for solutions involving water level agreements and hydrographic management. Farmers are key implementers for soil management practices, while nature organisations represent biodiversity and ecosystem interests. Successful replication requires collaboration across governance, knowledge and implementation levels, supported by standardised protocols for stakeholder identification and engagement activities.
Built-in scalable solutions
The East Flanders solutions can be replicated by leveraging the standardised five-step co-design process, which structures stakeholder engagement and decision-making for tailored NBS. Technical components, including ecosystem service mapping methods and climate risk assessment protocols for floods and droughts, provide evidence-based foundations for designing interventions like wetland restoration or afforestation. Monitoring frameworks with specific key performance indicators for soil quality, water retention and biodiversity enable consistent evaluation of outcomes, in addition to documentation tools to capture governance structures and lessons learned on barriers. Both the technical components and the monitoring frameworks can be easily replicated in other regions.
Funding pathways
The NBRACER project is funded through Horizon EU grant agreement number 101112836.
