OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage environmental risks

Funding programme: 
H2020
Project ID: 
PR-H2020-56
Acronym: 
OPERANDUM
Description: 

Severe hydro-meteorological phenomena are having a high impact in European territories and are of global concern. The science behind these phenomena is complex and advancement in knowledge proceeds with progress in data acquisition and forecasting useful for real-scenario interventions. The employment of nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate the impact of hydro-meteorological phenomena is not adequately demonstrated, still uncoordinated at the European level, therefore not reaching full potential. Actions to achieve highest NbS impact requires strategies to enhance societal acceptance, policy strengthening while demonstrating advantages for market development. The objective of OPERANDUM is to reduce hydro-meteorological risks in European territories through co-designed, co-developed, deployed, tested and demonstrated innovative green and blue/grey/hybrid NbS, and push business exploitation. It aims provision of science-evidence for the usability of NbS, best practices for their design based on participatory processes. It foresees a multiple level of stakeholders engagement from the local community up to the international level to leverage widest possible NbS acceptance to promote its diffusion as a good practice. It establishes the framework for the strengthening of NbS-based policies according to local legislation and promotes technology and innovation in NbS to create a European leadership. OPERANDUM is based on open-air laboratories (OALs), a fairly new concept that expands the Living Labs to a wider vision for natural and rural areas. In OALs novel NbS in seven European countries and three in China and Australia are implemented to address specific risks and their effectiveness, assessed through innovative monitoring systems and cutting-edge numerical modelling approaches. OPERANDUM realizes a multi-dimensional open and flexible platform enabling stakeholders and end users to improve knowledge in NbS to mitigate climate change as well as ways to promote and exploit the improved/preserved environment while increasing business opportunities.

Lead entity: 
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
Lead Country: 
Italy
Partners: 
SWECO GMBH;INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSING AND DIGITAL EARTH - CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE;UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN; NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND; DUBLIN;UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL; SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION -UNESCO;PERIFEREIA STEREAS ELLADAS;UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST;PNO CONSULTANTS BV;THE GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY;RINA CONSULTING SPA;HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM HEREON GMBH;LUONNONVARAKESKUS;COLD AND ARID REGIONS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE;THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG;KENTRO KAINOTOMON TECHNOLOGION AE;DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL;C.I.R.A. CENTRO ITALIANO RICERCHE AEROSPAZIALI SCPA;ILMATIETEEN LAITOS;KAJO SRO;UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW;AGENZIA REGIONALE PER LA PREVENZIONE; L'AMBIENTE E L'ENERGIA DELL'EMILIA-ROMAGNA;FONDAZIONE CENTRO EURO-MEDITERRANEOSUI CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICI;OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN;UNIVERSITY OF SURREY;TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT;NATURALEA CONSERVACIO; SL
Partners countries: 
Germany, China, Ireland, France, Greece, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Hong Kong, Slovakia, Austria, Spain
Start/end date: 
Sunday, 1 July 2018 to Thursday, 30 June 2022
Time frame: 
2018 - 2022
NBS type: 
Type 3
Societal challenges: 
New Economic Opportunities & Green Jobs
Land Regeneration
Approach: 
Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction
Environment: 
Rivers, Lakes and Ponds