Floating Cultures in River Deltas
The delta regions in Europe are rich in biodiversity but poor financially. Nowadays, they are located on a periphery of economic activities and are low economic performers in Europe. Large rivers in Europe have nature reserves in river deltas. These reserves accommodate wonderful biodiversity but rarely wealth. The capabilities which were needed for agriculture, transport and manufacturing lost their value in course of changes to the presently dominant knowledge-based economies. The project aims at definition and improvement of policy instruments that enable to foster the capabilities in using deltas' ecosystem services for regional economic development. The proposal is focused on the exchange of know-how about actions in the past, good practicies, capabilities and initiatives, as well as on the regional policymaking aiming at use of ecosystem services for the regional economic development.  Hence, the project should deliver tangible project proposals for the regional implementation of actions that foster the potential of partners to use ecosystem services and strengthen economic development based on the use of local cultural and natural qualities. The project addressed 6 delta regions: Rijn delta (Netherlands), Danube delta  (Romania), Camargue delta (France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur), Ebro delta- Albufera area (Spain), Po delta Park (Italy) and River Blackwater delta (Ireland).
The project will result in the improved implementation of the regional policy instruments leading to the  improved use of deltas' ecosystem services for regional economic development. This will be done through policy improvement, improvement of governance,  learning sessions, development of action plans, identification of good practices and sharing and active work in chosen deltas with involvement of regional stakeholder groups. The project will collect and disseminate the knowledge gained in good practice directory guide for delta regions.