Demonstration of Dune-Dike hybrid blue-grey Nature-based Solutions

Project Information

DuneFront

Grant agreement ID: 101135410

DOI

10.3030/101135410

EC signature date 8 November 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 4 997 722,25

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITEIT GENT
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DuneFront (Demonstration of Dune-Dike hybrid blue-grey Nature-based Solutions)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

DuneFront is a research project addressing the urgent need for climate-resilient coastal protection. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events intensify, traditional hard infrastructure is no longer sufficient. DuneFront proposes hybrid “blue-grey” Nature-based Solutions that combine engineered dikes with natural dunes to enhance flood safety, restore biodiversity, and support recreation. These are designed to be sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically integrated into coastal landscapes.
The project studies 12 sites across six European countries, using them as living labs to gather ecological, physical, and socio-economic data. Insights feed into digital and physical models as well as decision support systems, to guide future design and implementation. A new prototype will be co-created and installed in Belgium.
DuneFront contributes to EU goals like the Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy 2030, aiming to mainstream biodiversity in coastal infrastructure. It integrates social sciences through stakeholder engagement, co-creation, and citizen science. Expected impacts include improved coastal safety, restored habitats, and scalable solutions for Europe and beyond.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Through a combination of data curation and modelling work, Europe-wide data layers for environmental parameters, distribution of key species, and socio-economic and flood protection dimensions have been produced.
Work to study the 12 demonstrator sites along ecological, physical and social lines has progressed substantially, with major field campaigns completed or close to completion. First results are being made available to the rest of the consortium for timely progress on (physical and digital) model development.
A rating system for blue-grey Nature-based solutions has been co-created with input from another Horizon project.
One of the three planned physical model experiments in flume tunnels has been run and is in the process of being analysed, with preparation work for the others on schedule.
Development has started on digital models including the Predictive Digital Twin, with key design principles set following co-creation workshops.
Bioreceptive materials and candidate eco-dike design elements have been evaluated, allowing the development of the prototype to move forward to next steps.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Not applicable to current reporting period