Pilot projects for protection of areas prone to flash floods
The European Commission, DG XI, has published a call for proposals for pilot projects in the field of environmental protection of areas prone to flash floods, within the Fifth Environmental Action programme. The pilot projects seek to stimulate the cooperation of Member States in the collection, coordination and consolidation of the best existing knowledge in Europe, with regard to the management and protection of the environment prone to flash floods. In particular, projects should provide data and technical background in the drafting of principles and guidelines for measures to manage and protect catchments, and should focus on those characteristics which are significant and common to those types of basins most affected in Europe. After identifying the existing types of basins in Europe affected by flash floods, the project should focus on one of them and should define its particular characteristics. Areas already identified in the proposal as having similar characteristics should be examined with regard to the specified characteristics and to their impact on the occurrence and size of the hazardous events. Preference will be given to proposals covering areas in two or more Member States. Projects should then: - Provide a detailed analysis of the risk and of the territorial characteristics of the area studied; - Develop a methodology for an intervention in the area with the aim of supporting the planning of environment-friendly structural works; - Provide a monitoring plan of the effects produced by such structural works once executed; - Assure the experimental validation of the protocols for the measurement covered by the monitoring plan, as well as the validation of the methodology for the intervention and identification of the territorial characteristics. Design and execution of structural works are not covered in the present call for proposals. Proposals should be submitted by consortia of companies, institutions and other private or public sector bodies from at least two Member States. Community financial support will not exceed 50% of the eligible expenditure. Further information may be obtained from: European Commission DG XI - Environment, nuclear safety and civil protection Mr. Alessandro Barisich Head of Unit C/4 200 rue de la Loi (TRMF 00/82) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2990314 Completed proposals should be sent, by mail only, to the above address.