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Udalsarea 2030 innovative project aid program
Published on 20 August 2021
Spain
PaÃs Vasco
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Protection of natural heritage in urban and peri-urban landscapes, efficient use of resources and resilience towards climate change are among the most evident challenges that nowadays several regions in Europe have to face. The eco-innovation is one key-element of the necessary transformation that our societies need to put in place. The municipalities have become key agents for the deployment of this transformation. The aid program – Berringurumena – developed by the Basque Network of Sustainable Municipalities supports the development of innovative projects in those key areas of policies, strategies and plans addressing climate change, prevention and management waste, green public procurement, biodiversity, circular economy, and soil protection. The programme consists of annual public calls aimed at local entities for the implementation of projects with a budget up to € 25,000 and with a total duration of up to two years. Berringurumena serves also as preparation for other larger projects. Given the central role of municipalities, the projects developed in the program have always been aligned with regional planning.
Expert opinion
Climate change and environmental degradation pose an existential threat. The European Green Deal is the overarching plan for transformation of the European economy and way of life, to limit climate change and be more in balance with nature. Changes need to be made in almost every sector, which is why there are numerous strategies and policies to provide clear guidelines and targets. These include the Biodiversity strategy for 2030, The Circular Economy Action Plan, The Zero Pollution Action Plan, Farm to Fork strategy, EU Adaptation strategy and many more. The Spanish Basque Network of Sustainable Municipalities decided to provide financial support to environmental projects, which will help to achieve the sustainability goals. This good practice shows an effective method of change implementation in urban and peri-urban landscapes that improve the quality of the natural environment and human well-being, while creating new economic opportunities. It can serve as an inspiration to other European regions.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
For the call published in 2020, the total available budget was € 250,000. A co-financing is requested from the municipal entity. In terms of HR: one person who manages and coordinates the call together with three or five people involved for evaluating the proposals and monitoring the project.
Evidence of success
Starting from 2008, ten editions of the aid program have been held and more than 80 innovative projects, in areas such as mitigation and adaptation to climate change, natural solutions, or circular economy have been implemented. In some cases, just the conceptualization of the projects has been financed. Nevertheless, thanks to the possible strong partnership between private and public institution, these projects could be later implemented with the support from other funding organizations.
Potential for learning or transfer
The protection of natural heritage in urban and peri-urban landscapes can significantly improve the human well-being. Also, this can create new economic opportunities. The implementation of innovative projects in urban and peri-urban landscapes can significantly contribute to improve the quality of the environment and the promotion of a more efficient private-public partnership potentially relevant role in eco-innovation. For these reasons, this program is a good example for promoting local sustainability and it should be considered by other regions and cities that need to identify planning and monetary instruments aimed to encourage more investments in the field of eco-innovation, dealing with climate change, prevention and management waste, green public procurement, biodiversity, circular economy and soil protection. Attention can be given to projects focusing on innovative development of abandoned areas, such as inner-city brownfields. This can preserve peri urban open spaces.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ihobe
Spain
PaÃs Vasco
Contact