Call for proposals for pilot projects on development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe
The Directorate-General for Environment is launching a call for proposals with the aim of identifying three to five projects eligible for financial support, promoting action on desertification and droughts in pilot river basins, and contributing to the exchange of best practices at the local level on four issues, such as conservation of rainwater and surface water, alternative forms of irrigation, water saving/water efficiency measures and crops consuming less water. The pilot projects are demonstration projects aimed at testing specially designed technologies, techniques or practices. They will have to demonstrate the potential of water saving for improving human and environmental conditions in different regions of the European Union, using low-cost approaches. Most European countries are affected by the consequences of water scarcity, droughts and land degradation caused by water resources over-exploitation and exacerbated by climate change. The situation is expected to worsen as further temperature increases are expected in Europe (between 1.0-5.5°C) by the end of the century. Due to changes in precipitation the difference between the wet northern part and the dry southern part will certainly increase further. Implications hereof are plenty, including changes in river flows and seasonality, land-use changes and extensive water withdrawals. Most probably water scarcity problems and desertification (e.g. the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas) will increase further, although some European countries will be much more negatively affected than others.To see the full details of the call, please consult: OJ C110 of 29 April 2010(opens in new window)