DRYAD: Demonstration and modelling of Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to enhance the resilience of Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems and landscapes) is a four-year transdisciplinary research project. The project aims to promote sustainable and climate-resilient practices and facilitate regional adaptation plans.
The project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, combines front-line scientific, technological, social, and business innovations and transformative solutions. It will be centred around the development, testing and demonstration NBSs in 5 demonstration regions including Andalusia and Extremadura (ES), Alentejo (PT), Sardinia (IT) and Aetoloakarnania (EL) (5 in Cohesion Fund Regions). The most promising NBSs will be transferred to these 3 replicating regions: Castilla-y-León (ES), Occitanie (FR) and Tuscany (IT). Furthermore, DRYAD will support a multi-level and cross-sectoral integrated and adaptive management governance via the development of Decision Support Systems. DRYAD will mobilize regional and local authorities and stakeholders that own the climate challenge, research entities, private/public foundations, companies & citizens and involve them in co-creation, co-implementation, and co-validation processes by means of Living Labs. This will lead to the creation of real, widely re-applicable solutions with long-lasting impacts. The project will provide tools and implementation guidelines to promote sustainable and climate-resilient practices and facilitate regional adaptation plans, contributing to the Nature Restoration Law in terms of resilient nature and climate adaptations.
This week nearly 50 project participants from 5 Mediterranean countries got together for the kick-off meeting organised in A Coruña (Spain) by the project coordinator, the University of A Coruña.
A multidisciplinary consortium
The consortium involves 27 partner organisations. 9 research entities (UDC, UT, UCO, UNISS, CNR, UEX, AUA, IST-ID, ISA) from 5 countries, 3 technical and scientific support entities (Fondazione CMCC, IFAPA, LNEG), 8 foundations and associations (FEUGA, UNAC, CONFAGRICOLTURA, FEDEHESA, Alberitalia, AGROOF, FPNCYL, COVAP), 4 regional/local authorities (CAPADR, AG-Forestas, DX, CCDRA) and 3 Small/Medium Companies (FSC Italia, Lezirias, ICATALIST)
Coordinated by the UDC the project will have a total cost of € 8 622 807,50 with an EU contribution that reaches € 8 448 545,00.
The consortium efforts will contribute to enhance existing European policy tools and approaches, most of all to support the Farm to Fork Strategy (FFS) and European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the new EU Climate Adaptation Strategy, the European Digital Strategy, the common agricultural policy and related National Strategic plans, the Water Framework Directive requirement and the forthcoming Nature Restoration Law.
You can check the flash video summarising the project meeting here: