About the project

  • Start date: 1st September 2025
  • End date: 31st August 2029
  • Budget: 7.9 million euros
  • Team: 24 organisations from 10 countries

Almost half of Europe is at risk of drought. Wetlands as nature-based solutions can store water and help mitigate the consequences of droughts. These vital ecosystems store around 15% of the Earth’s freshwater and have the potential to recharge local aquifers. However, evidence-based practices regarding costs, benefits, and acceptance of using wetlands for droughts are lacking, especially for different conditions in Europe. NBS4Drought aims to close that gap.

What are nature-based solutions?

Nature-based solution (NBS) is an umbrella term for solutions that in some way leverage nature and healthy ecosystems to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. In our project, it means leveraging the benefits of wetlands in urban, semi-urban, and rural environments to mitigate the consequences of drought.

Our Approach

We aim to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of wetlands as a nature-based solution for drought resilience. Additionally, we will develop tools, policies and practices for wetland-focused water management strategies.

To achieve our objectives, we have selected seven different wetland showcases located across 5 distinct bioclimatic zones in Europe, such as a wetland park in Barcelona, Spain, or small wetlands around Lake Constance, Germany. Water properties, carbon sequestration, biodiversity as well as economic and social dimensions will be evaluated at those sites.

These showcases will undergo a collaborative co-creation and co-development process. The local stakeholders and communities will be involved to facilitate the long-term maintenance of our sites. Citizen science initiatives and a multi-stakeholder approach are pivotal to the project, helping sites across Europe to better use wetlands for water management.

Impacts of the project

Scientific impacts:

We will collect new data on the benefits of wetlands for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and drought resilience.

Economic impacts:

We will demonstrate the most cost-effective ways to implement nature-based solutions, providing evidence of their financial benefits for local communities and the wider EU.

Socioeconomic impacts:

Through citizen science activities like birdwatching, hiking, and photography, we invite people to reconnect with nature in newly created wetland areas that enhance well-being and mental health.

Our Team

Our international and interdisciplinary team includes 24 partners from eight European countries. Our consortium brings together universities, research institutes, municipalities, NGOs, and innovation networks. Combined, we have expertise in hydrology, soil science, ecology, socio-economics, policy, and technology.

Partners

{{ group }}
{{ object.name }}
{{ object.name }} {{ object.subheader }} {{ icon.replace(/^icon_/, '') }}