Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ProCleanLakes (Integrated emerging approaches for joint protection and restoration of Natural Lakes in the spirit of European life heritage support (ProCleanLakes))
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-06-01 do 2025-11-30
ProCleanLakes targets to combat the combined impact of various disruptive factors that generate continuous pressure on the lake's
ecosystem status and facilitate the accumulation of emerging, non-regulated, chemical contaminants and nutrient enrichment. The
project will design and demonstrate the feasibility of integrated nature-based emerging approaches for joint protection and restoration of
European Natural Lakes (ENL) and their biodiversity, considering scenarios which imply the presence of various pressures that affect
the aquatic ecosystems' status. The holistic transdisciplinary approaches that are to be used in the project, based on the synergic effect of
the economic-environment-social nexus, targets to support the improvement of ENL ecological and chemical status in association with
major EU instruments, sustainable development goals and policies related to freshwater ecosystems. The project engages multiple sites
affected by the presence of various pressures and stressors, that will be the subjects for the demonstration of integrated protection and
restoration solutions efficiency. A replication roadmap powered by the necessity of assuring upscaling and universality of the optimal
integrated solutions (IS) will be developed to prove the replicability. An IS support platform which merges a business accelerator with
an adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) solution for empowering citizen science related to lakes protection and restoration will assure
the collaboration between the municipalities and citizens and will offer capacity-building and encourage co-development and co-design
towards natural lakes protection and restoration. Tools such as mobile decision support platforms, serious games for digital readiness, elearning
and augmented-based modules for reinforce-learning and multiple AI machine learning analytical frameworks will be developed
to assure the synergic approach toward the maximization of integrated solutions impact and replicability.
ecosystem status and facilitate the accumulation of emerging, non-regulated, chemical contaminants and nutrient enrichment. The
project will design and demonstrate the feasibility of integrated nature-based emerging approaches for joint protection and restoration of
European Natural Lakes (ENL) and their biodiversity, considering scenarios which imply the presence of various pressures that affect
the aquatic ecosystems' status. The holistic transdisciplinary approaches that are to be used in the project, based on the synergic effect of
the economic-environment-social nexus, targets to support the improvement of ENL ecological and chemical status in association with
major EU instruments, sustainable development goals and policies related to freshwater ecosystems. The project engages multiple sites
affected by the presence of various pressures and stressors, that will be the subjects for the demonstration of integrated protection and
restoration solutions efficiency. A replication roadmap powered by the necessity of assuring upscaling and universality of the optimal
integrated solutions (IS) will be developed to prove the replicability. An IS support platform which merges a business accelerator with
an adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) solution for empowering citizen science related to lakes protection and restoration will assure
the collaboration between the municipalities and citizens and will offer capacity-building and encourage co-development and co-design
towards natural lakes protection and restoration. Tools such as mobile decision support platforms, serious games for digital readiness, elearning
and augmented-based modules for reinforce-learning and multiple AI machine learning analytical frameworks will be developed
to assure the synergic approach toward the maximization of integrated solutions impact and replicability.
WP1 -Historical physicochemical and biological data from the literature for the three DS and the three MS were collected, sorted, and organized into an Excel-based database. To establish the quality status of water and sediments at the Demonstration Sites (DSs) — two pre-monitoring sampling campaigns were planned and conducted in different seasons. The ecological status of biotic communities (e.g phytoplankton, fish) at the DSs and MSs was assessed using both existing datasets and newly acquired data. In addition, assesment of microbial biodiversity at fresh water DSs was performed. A remote sensing (RS) framework for the evaluation of DS and MS ecosystem status was developed.
WP2 - stakeholder mapping activities were initiated in advance. According to the project Grant Agreement (GA), WP2 starts in M20 (January 2026), with focus on mapping potential stakeholders within the demo-sites and forming Communities of Practice (CoPs) based on common interests. This process aims to establish a strong framework involving all quadruple-helix pillars to support the selection and validation of the NbS.
WP3 focuses on developing the socio-economic and entrepreneurial foundations required to support sustainable lake restoration and protection activities across the ProCleanLakes demonstration sites. It aims to identify market opportunities and stakeholder networks, build entrepreneurial capacity among regional actors, and integrate environmental innovation into policy frameworks that encourage the emergence of lake-based green economies.
WP4 aims to develop replication and scale-up roadmaps and restoration plans for the associated regions, building on the results and lessons learned from the Demonstration Sites (DS) implemented under WP2. The activities focus on identifying and selecting suitable replication sites, adapting proven solutions to local environmental and socio-economic conditions, and providing support services for their implementation. WP4 also assesses the effectiveness, feasibility, and transferability of the solutions developed in earlier work packages, with the overall objective of enabling successful knowledge transfer, upscaling, and the long-term restoration and sustainable management of the selected regions.
Based on the overall evaluation results, the three (3) strongest applications were selected for funding.
WP5 are focused on the development and deployment of two interconnected and critical platforms: the Virtual Incubator and Accelerator Website and the Knowledge Hub for Restoration and Protection of Lakes.
WP6 coordinates and manages all project activities, all done so far according to the project paln.
WP7 has developed Communication, dissemination and explaitation plan which is being followed without problems. So far, 3 scientific publications were published and 10 scientific conferences attended with eithe oral presentation or a poster. A series of communication measures for diverse groups of stakeholders including citizens has been implemented.
WP2 - stakeholder mapping activities were initiated in advance. According to the project Grant Agreement (GA), WP2 starts in M20 (January 2026), with focus on mapping potential stakeholders within the demo-sites and forming Communities of Practice (CoPs) based on common interests. This process aims to establish a strong framework involving all quadruple-helix pillars to support the selection and validation of the NbS.
WP3 focuses on developing the socio-economic and entrepreneurial foundations required to support sustainable lake restoration and protection activities across the ProCleanLakes demonstration sites. It aims to identify market opportunities and stakeholder networks, build entrepreneurial capacity among regional actors, and integrate environmental innovation into policy frameworks that encourage the emergence of lake-based green economies.
WP4 aims to develop replication and scale-up roadmaps and restoration plans for the associated regions, building on the results and lessons learned from the Demonstration Sites (DS) implemented under WP2. The activities focus on identifying and selecting suitable replication sites, adapting proven solutions to local environmental and socio-economic conditions, and providing support services for their implementation. WP4 also assesses the effectiveness, feasibility, and transferability of the solutions developed in earlier work packages, with the overall objective of enabling successful knowledge transfer, upscaling, and the long-term restoration and sustainable management of the selected regions.
Based on the overall evaluation results, the three (3) strongest applications were selected for funding.
WP5 are focused on the development and deployment of two interconnected and critical platforms: the Virtual Incubator and Accelerator Website and the Knowledge Hub for Restoration and Protection of Lakes.
WP6 coordinates and manages all project activities, all done so far according to the project paln.
WP7 has developed Communication, dissemination and explaitation plan which is being followed without problems. So far, 3 scientific publications were published and 10 scientific conferences attended with eithe oral presentation or a poster. A series of communication measures for diverse groups of stakeholders including citizens has been implemented.
WP1 results: Database on chemical pollutants characterizing DS and MS ecosystems and microbial diversity assessment in DS. Fish community surveys, representing the highest trophic level, were conducted in 2025 at the DSs. NBS were designed for each DS.
WP2 results: Preliminary stakeholders database from Norway, Greece and Romania demo-sites was created and stakeholders’ directions were presented. Round table workshops meeting with various regional stakeholders and citizens in order to present the NbS.
WP3 results: Market analysis and stakeholder mapping: Comprehensive market research was completed to identify business opportunities in lake protection and restoration across Romania, Norway, and Greece. Two quantitative surveys and a qualitative study revealed motivations, challenges, and sectoral dynamics for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial curriculum development: Four training modules were co-designed and finalized. Delivering quantitative and qualitative insights, business stakeholder mapping, and finalized registration form and survey tools; Curriculum for entrepreneurial trainings.
WP4 results: 22 proposals were evaluated, following selection criteria. A total of 9 proposals were selected for interview and three (3) strongest applications were selected for funding.
WP5 results: First version of the Virtual Incubator and Accelerator was developed. Knowledge Hub for Restoration and Protection of Natural Lakes mock-up.
WP6 results: Synergies with other European initiatives; 2x Joint webinars with sister
Project Consortium Meetings, on-site and on-line Project meetings
WP7 results: Communication and Dissemination activities
WP2 results: Preliminary stakeholders database from Norway, Greece and Romania demo-sites was created and stakeholders’ directions were presented. Round table workshops meeting with various regional stakeholders and citizens in order to present the NbS.
WP3 results: Market analysis and stakeholder mapping: Comprehensive market research was completed to identify business opportunities in lake protection and restoration across Romania, Norway, and Greece. Two quantitative surveys and a qualitative study revealed motivations, challenges, and sectoral dynamics for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial curriculum development: Four training modules were co-designed and finalized. Delivering quantitative and qualitative insights, business stakeholder mapping, and finalized registration form and survey tools; Curriculum for entrepreneurial trainings.
WP4 results: 22 proposals were evaluated, following selection criteria. A total of 9 proposals were selected for interview and three (3) strongest applications were selected for funding.
WP5 results: First version of the Virtual Incubator and Accelerator was developed. Knowledge Hub for Restoration and Protection of Natural Lakes mock-up.
WP6 results: Synergies with other European initiatives; 2x Joint webinars with sister
Project Consortium Meetings, on-site and on-line Project meetings
WP7 results: Communication and Dissemination activities