We are particularly interested in the ideational roots of new ideas on governance, the agency in getting such ideas accepted (e.g. by pilots and experiments), and the (international) processes of policy diffusion.
Below an overview
SALAD (Saline AgricuLture for ADaptation) is a transcontinental, innovative research project in the field of food systems and climate. It addresses the research area of food security under climate change through saline agriculture, aligning vision, research and practice among European and African countries focusing on saline agriculture upscaling. The project involves both basic and applied transdisciplinary (biophysical, social, cultural, agronomic, economic and environmental) research. It includes a consortium of four countries from the European Union (EU): Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and two from Africa: Egypt and Morocco. SALAD focuses on promoting innovative technology deployment and improving climate resilience through saline agricultural practices.
This study was conducted in collaboration with ILVO, Kafr-El-Sheik University, University of Florence, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Salt Farm Foundation, Van Hall Larenstein, Universite Cadi Ayyad, KU Leuven, and Universitat Oldenbu.
Contact person: Dr Kate Negacz.
For more information, please visit the project website where you can also find the publications.
The SALAD project has as objective to improve the resilience of food production in saline and potentially saline agricultural areas in the Mediterranean and North Sea regions by:
SALAD involves 11 partner institutions from six countries in Europe and Africa, with IVM as project leader. The project receives a total funding of 1.4 million euros from the ERANET Cofund on Food Systems and Climate.
Contact person: Dr Kate Negacz.
NEWAVE is Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) on the ‘Next Water Governance’, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme, which aims to equip a new generation of future water governance leaders with fundamental knowledge, advanced skills, and adequate tools to address current and future water governance challenges.
In 2021, the AQUACONNECT project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NWO) has been added to the EPA water governance portfolio), which will seek to advance the Dutch and global discussion on circular water use in delta areas, and involves 21 partners, including various industrial companies, consultancy firms, water boards and Dutch provinces. The project is led from Wageningen University and EPA provides the work package leadership on Integrated Assessment and Societal Change.
Contact person: Prof. Dave Huitema.
In its most recent Energy Union package, the European Union puts citizens at the core of the clean energy transitions. Beyond policy, disruptive innovations in energy sectors are challenging the traditional business model of large energy utilities. One such disruptive, social innovation is the emergence of new clean energy communities (‘newcomers’). The possible benefits of these ‘newcomers’ for their members and for society at large are still emerging and their potential to support the goals of the Energy Union is unclear.
With the RESILIO (Resilience nEtwork of Smart Innovative cLImate-adapative rOoftops) project, 10,000 m² of smart blue green roofs are being realized in Amsterdam. This is necessary because it rains more often and harder, as well as getting hotter. Excess rainwater is stored underneath the green layer of plants on the roof. The water can be retained or discharged with a smart valve connected to the weather forecast. This helps us to keep our feet dry and our heads cool. The roofs provide space for new nature, and that is good for the city. We bring roofs to life!
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