Bringing Europe's freshwaters back to life: The MERLIN H2020 project

Part of EU Open Research Repository
Published March 1, 2026 | Version v2
Other Open

Advancing the Water Resilience Strategy through Sponge Landscapes and Nature-Based Solutions for a Climate Resilient Europe

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Deltares
  • 2. ROR icon Wageningen University & Research
  • 3. WWF Greece
  • 4. ROR icon Wetlands International
  • 5. ROR icon Norwegian Institute for Water Research
  • 6. ROR icon International Office for Water
  • 7. ROR icon UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
  • 8. ROR icon Middlesex University
  • 9. Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia
  • 10. Office International de l'Eau / International Office for Water
  • 11. ROR icon Leibniz University Hannover
  • 12. ROR icon Slovenian Environment Agency

Description

This policy brief outlines how sponge landscapes and nature-based solutions can help operationalise the European Water Resilience Strategy and improve climate resilience across Europe. By enhancing water retention, slowing runoff, supporting groundwater recharge, and reducing the impacts of floods and droughts, sponge landscapes offer a practical pathway towards more resilient land and water systems. The brief presents key recommendations for strengthening sponge functioning through policy alignment, integrated governance, stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and financing for nature-based solutions. This approach aims to support biodiversity, sustainable land use, and long-term water resilience.

Files

joined_policy_brief__water_resilience_strategy.pdf

Files (2.6 MB)

Additional details

Funding

European Commission
MERLIN - Mainstreaming Ecological Restoration of freshwater-related ecosystems in a Landscape context: INnovation, upscaling and transformation 101036337
European Commission
SpongeScapes - Evidence and Solutions for improving SPONGE Functioning at LandSCAPE Scale in European Catchments for increased Resilience of Communities against Hydrometeorological Extreme Events 101112738
European Commission
SpongeWorks - Co-creating and Upscaling Sponge Landscapes by Working with Natural Water Retention and Sustainable Management 101156116
European Commission
SpongeBoost - Upscaling the natural sponge functions of freshwater ecosystems to deliver multi-benefit green deal solutions 101112906
European Commission
FutureLakes - Integrating Innovations for the Protection and Restoration of European Lakes 101156425
UK Research and Innovation
SpongeScapes: Evidence and Solutions for improving SPONGE Functioning at LandSCAPE Scale in European Catchments for increased Resilience of Communities against Hydrometeorological Extreme Events 10093115