ongoing
MARCLAIMED
European Research Executive Agency (REA) | Water scarcity is one of the most critical problems to be faced in the 21st century. Decreasing water availability and increasing water demand are usually associated with a deterioration in the ecological, chemical and quantitative status of surface and groundwater bodies. Ensuring the availability and sustainability of water resources is essential. The project MARCLAIMED has the objective of integrating Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) with Alternative Water Resources (AWR) in river basin and drought management plans enhancing the structural supply systems for climate change adaptation and resilience.
ongoing
TRANSCEND
European Research Executive Agency (REA) | TRANSCEND (Transformational and Robust Adaptation to Water Scarcity and Climate Change under Deep Uncertainty) is a Horizon Europe research project that identifies ways of managing water when its availability is low, and the uncertainty of cascading effects is high.
ongoing
Framework Partnership Agreement concerning the European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems 2023-2026
European Environment Agency (EEA) | European Topic Centres (ETCs) are consortia of organisations in EEA member countries with expertise in specific environmental areas, contracted by the EEA through framework partnership agreements to carry out specific tasks to support the implementation of EEA and Copernicus work programmes.
ongoing
Mission ocean, seas and waters implementation support platform
CINEA | This Project is about forming and running the Mission Ocean, seas and waters implementation support platform, to help coordinate and monitor actions aligned with the EU Mission ‘Restore our ocean and waters by 2030’. It also involves offering European Blue Parks technical assistance, citizen engagement and communication.
ongoing
BOOST-IN
European Research Executive Agency (REA) | Droughts and water scarcity are an increasing concern in Europe, with around 20% of the European territory and 30% of the total population already affected by water stress. The anthropogenic alteration of the water cycle poses risks for energy production, food security, human health, economic development, and poverty reduction.
ongoing
EU Switch to Green and Water Facilities
European Commission, DG International Partnerships (INTPA) | Contributing to the objectives of the Water Facility, FT provides outputs related to technical assistance in the European Commission 2021-2027 programming process and quality support in the design of EU international cooperation actions.
ongoing
Resilience Strategies for Regions (REGILIENCE)
CINEA | REGILIENCE is the Coordination and Support Action for developing Innovation Packages and regional resilience pathways under the LC-GD-1-3-2020 call. It aims to foster the adoption and broad dissemination of regional climate resilience pathways, following a demand-driven approach and taking into account the expertise and knowledge acquired, as well as the solutions available from Innovation Packages and other sources.
ongoing
Legal and technical assessments of Member States’ compliance with the applicable EU environmental legislation
European Commission, DG Environment | Fresh Thoughts is working with Milieu to develop legal assessments and technical evaluations to ensure the full and correct implementation of the Environmental Directive, under Article 258 AEUV, in Member States.
ongoing
Climate Change policy update
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The project aims to provide concrete policy recommendations on the content of legal instruments at the federal and state levels in Germany. These policy recommendations should enable legislators to mainstream climate change adaptation into further appropriate legal instruments.
ongoing
DRYing rivER networks (DRYvER)
Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) | Rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and other aquatic environments are among the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. They are also those most threatened by human activities. These river networks also provide essential ecosystem services – such as drinking water, food and climate regulation – that enhance society’s well-being.
ongoing
Water for the Green Deal
European Commission, DG Environment | In December 2019, the Commission set out a European Green Deal for the European Union (EU) and its citizens - a new growth strategy for the EU supporting the EU's transition to a just and prosperous society that responds to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation and improves the quality of life of current and future generations.
ongoing
Risk-based practice- and market-oriented action plan to exclude illegal water use in agricultural supply chains of a German food retailer
WWF Germany | The objective of this project was to create an action plan for a German food retailer, containing practical and market-oriented mitigation measures in a roadmap, including a timeline that encompasses short, mid, and long-term actions.
finished
Climate change adaptation in the tourism sector in Lower Saxony
TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH | Climate change is already affecting the tourism sector in Lower Saxony and complex interactions influence the touristic demand. Therefore, the TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH (TMN) intended to support Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) in dealing with current and future changes.
ongoing
Independent Review of Water Sourcing and Saving in Fruit and Vegetable Production
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) | In an effort to reduce their water footprint, food & drink companies in the UK came together to join the water roadmap, which aims to establish 20 water stewardship projects by 2030 with at-risk catchments identified as being key sourcing areas for UK food & drink. The aim of this project was to better understand and reduce! the negative impacts of freshwater abstraction and use for the UK food & drink companies on the ecosystems and people in areas where the water is sourced.
ongoing
Water use conflicts in Germany
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The project assessed the effects of drought and dryness in Germany on water availability, soil water balance, and groundwater and provided possible solutions and recommendations for action. Special attention was paid to competing water uses and to less common adaptation measures, such as the reuse of treated and processed wastewater in urban areas.
ongoing
European Drought Observatory
European Commission, DG Environment | The European Commission DG ENV requested technical and scientific support from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) for Resilience and Adaptation, aiming towards a better understanding of drought impacts and risks in different sectors of society.
ongoing
Dialogue on Water and Agriculture
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | Climate change is altering the water balance in rural areas (UBA, 2019d). The consequences of climate change and a decreasing water supply, especially in the summer months, will particularly affect agriculture and forestry.
ongoing
Platform for Climate Dialogue on water management issues. Supporting Understanding between Conflict Parties Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. | The objective of the EU4Dialogue programme is to establish an environment conducive to diffusing tension and fostering better understanding amongst the conflicting parties and stakeholders.
ongoing
Greening EU Cooperation webinar “Transboundary Water Management”
Ecorys | The integration of environmental and climate change considerations into all areas of EU development cooperation is a priority.
ongoing
Sustainable Hydropower Use and Integration in China and EU
Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie – Austria | Hydropower sits at the heart of the water and energy nexus. It has played a crucial role in improving water and energy security and will continue to do so in future. Yet sustainable hydropower development remains a major challenge for the EU and China.
ongoing
Conformity checking on Member States’ measures to transpose and apply EU environmental legislation: compliance assurance systems in relation to the Directive 2000/60/EC
European Commission, DG Environment | Fresh Thoughts provided technical support to the assessment, including quality assurance of each Member State's assessment.
ongoing
Review of existing flood management policies and enabling environments, conducting institutional capacity assessment with gap analyses and develop basin FRM polices – Drin
Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) | Together with external experts, Fresh Thoughts developed recommendations for the entire Drin catchment area and a training plan based on the legal and policy frameworks and the integrated flood risk management plans.
ongoing
Support the Commission in the implementation of international water cooperation
European Commission, DG Environment | The contract aimed to provide support to the European Commission in sharing and disseminating knowledge, best practices and lessons learnt related to EU water legislation and water management to third countries and/or other international partners, as well as in monitoring and implementing tasks stemming from multiple strands of water cooperation activities (at multilateral, regional or bilateral level).
finished
Implementing Innovative Approaches for Improved Water Governance – Mongolia
Asian Development Bank | Fresh Thoughts was engaged as a specialist in International Institutional Water Management and Capacity Development.
ongoing
Technical assessments on Member States’ compliance with the applicable European Union environmental legislation
European Commission, DG Environment | The general objective of this service request under a general Framework Contract was to assess how Directive 2000/60/EC1 (the Water Framework Directive or WFD) and its daughter Directives were implemented by the Member States, based on the assessment of the second River Basin Management Plans (submitted end 2015 covering the six-year period 2016-2021). The Commission used the technical assessments as background information for its task to ensure that the Directives were correctly applied in the Member States following Article 258 of the TFEU.
ongoing
Finding innovative solutions for water scarcity in Southern Europe Programme 2022: Governance and finance solutions
Climate-KIC | Fresh Thoughts participated in the “Body of Knowledge" expert group as part of the "Finding Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity in Southern Europe" Programme in 2022 by taking an active role in mentoring a junior water scarcity expert and participating as a speaker in the Webinar on the Topic: Governance and finance solutions to tackle water scarcity, on 18 October 2022.
finished
Public participation in the National Water Strategy
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | With the Citizens' Dialogue on the National Water Strategy, the Federal Ministry for the Environment opened up parts of the strategy for discussion with randomly selected citizens from all over Germany.
ongoing
Baseline study for the implementation of lighthouses of Mission ‘Restore our ocean and waters by 2030’
European Commission, DG Environment | The study set a comprehensive baseline for Mission lighthouses in the Atlantic and Arctic Sea basins, Danube River basin and Mediterranean Sea basin on the implementation of two Mission objectives: the protection and restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity (for Danube, Atlantic and Arctic) and the prevention and elimination of pollution in marine and freshwater ecosystems (for the Mediterranean).
ongoing
Independent Review of Water Projects
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) | In an effort to reduce their water footprint, food and drink companies in the UK came together to join the water roadmap, which aims to establish 20 water stewardship projects by 2030 with at-risk catchments identified as being key sourcing areas for UK food and drink.
ongoing
Framework Contract for Services: Technical Assistance for OEZA Projects in the Water and Sanitation Sector
Austrian Development Agency | The EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (2020), the EU zero pollution strategy (2021), and the planned start of EU membership negotiations require continued and extended EU support to Albania on integrated water management and wastewater treatment, to substantially increase the transposition and implementation of the EU water “Acquis” and national water policies.
ongoing
Scientific knowledge about the interaction between water, climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity in Doñana, Spain
WWF Spain | The Doñana wetland is an emblematic protected area in Spain, with relevance at European and global levels.
finished
Development of an Annotated Outline of a Climate Adaptation Strategy of the Drina River Basin
Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) | The overall aim of the SEE Nexus Project is to introduce the Nexus approach in South-East Europe and catalyse action for its adoption and implementation. With activities focusing on the transboundary basins of the Drin and Drina rivers, and in Albania, the Project facilitated Nexus Dialogue Processes involving a broad range of stakeholders, and the development of technical Nexus Assessments exploring cross-sectoral interlinkages, while enabling conditions for financing actions to address issues of priority.
finished
Support for the climate check of the programme of measures and for the economic analysis within the framework of the 3rd implementation cycle for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Administration de la Gestion de l’Eau, Luxembourg | The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in 2000. It sets environmental objectives for all European surface waters and groundwater.
finished
Assessment of freshwater status and water risks in the Ebro basin
Amazon Web Services EMEA SARL, Austrian Branch | Amazon Web Services (AWS) requested Fresh Thoughts to assess water-related risks of its data center located in Aragon, Spain.
finished
Water Strategy Germany
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | Modern water management focuses on sustainable and balanced water use by all stakeholders. To achieve this today - and in the future - various legal as well as socio-economic frameworks need to be taken into account. The overall aim of this project was to initiate a target-oriented national dialogue at an early stage among various actors.
finished
Towards Sustainable Finance
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has set itself the goal of evaluating and further developing scientific methods and procedures to systematically integrate environmental and sustainability risks into investment and credit decisions. By using these methods, the transition to a sustainable financial economy should be wisely initiated and shaped.
finished
Assessment of the Sava River Basin Management Plan
EuroNatur | By the end of 2021, EU Member States and countries associated with the Common Implementation Strategy needed to submit their River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), which are required under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the period 2022-2027 (third planning cycle).
finished
Water Stewardship in Spain
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) | The Courtauld Commitment on water set a target that 50% of fresh food in the UK should be sourced from areas with sustainable water management by 2030.
ongoing
Integrated Nexus Strategy for Water, Energy and Agriculture in the Gaza Strip
Engineering, Management and Infrastructure Consultants (Enfra Consultants) | Population growth, economic development and climate change put energy, water, land and human resources increasingly under pressure in the Gaza Strip to support societal development and to maintain necessary services. Decision-makers need improved tools in order to be better informed about synergies between different development and management choices and to help them identify options on how to sustainably manage resources.
finished
Development of the Luxembourg River Basin Management Plan II
Administration de la Gestion de l’Eau, Luxembourg | The Water Framework Directive (WFD) required Member States to develop river basin management plans (RBMPs), along with programmes of measures (PoMs) in order to achieve good status of water bodies.
finished
Assessing interactions between the EU Water Framework and the Nature Directives
Wetlands International | The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is generally regarded as environmental legislation that can make an important contribution to achieving the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
finished
Strategic environmental assessment for the second Austrian flood risk management plan
Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Regionen und Tourismus – Austria | Fresh Thoughts conducted a strategic environmental assessment (SUP) for the second Austrian flood risk management plan. The work included drafting a Scoping Document and the Environmental Report that assesses the impacts of the second Flood Risk Management Plan on the Environment, taking aspects of climate change into account.
finished
Body of Knowledge “Finding innovative solutions for water scarcity in Southern Europe”
Climate-KIC | The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) created a task force - the Body of Knowledge - working on Finding innovative solutions for water scarcity in Southern Europe. Guido Schmidt was appointed as a member of this BoK and developed joint strategic advice as well as mentoring activities for start-ups.
finished
Development of a Guidance Implementing Art 4.7 WFD in Luxembourg
Administration de la Gestion de l’Eau, Luxembourg | The aim of the project was to develop a guidance document for Luxembourg on the application of Article 4.7 of the WFD. This guidance document should support the national implementation of the CIS guidance document 36.
finished
Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan UNDP Component (EU4Sevan)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) | EU4Sevan project aims to further enhance the environmental protection of Lake Sevan. The Project is part of the EU Action "EU4 Energy Efficiency and Environment", and of the BMZ-funded programme "Management of natural resources and safeguarding of ecosystem services for sustainable rural development in the South Caucasus (ECO serve)".
finished
Analysis of draft River Basin Management Plans in Europe
WWF European Policy Office | By the end of 2021, EU member states and the countries associated with the Common Implementation Strategy had to submit their River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the period 2022-2027 (third planning cycle). Before submission, draft plans need to be open for public consultation over a minimum period of six months. Since the adoption of the WFD in 2000, implementation has been delayed, making the 3rd planning cycle crucial to achieving the objective of good water status across Europe by 2027.
finished
EU Taxonomy Public consultation support
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | The EU taxonomy is a classification system, that establishes a list of environmentally sustainable economic activities. It will play an important role in helping the EU scale up sustainable investment and implement the European Green Deal.
finished
Supporting the World Bank by producing a training kit on Flood Risk Management in the European Union
Worldbank | Fresh Thoughts supported the World Bank in producing a training kit on Flood Risk Management in the European Union based on the EU Floods Directive.
finished
Diffuse Pollution Bulgaria
Worldbank | The development objective of this contract was to support the Government of Bulgaria in developing the River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) and Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) necessary to ensure a water-secure future for the people, economy and environment of Bulgaria and to fulfil the EU water legislation requirements.
finished
JustFair
Austrian Climate Research Program – ACRP | Natural hazard protection faces the key challenge that not everyone living in a risk zone is threatened equally. Decisions on whom to protect often cause conflicts in resource allocation and distribution. JustFair developed policy guidance by (1) comparing international practice in addressing social justice issues in climate change adaptation and by (2) empirically identifying disadvantaged groups among households and small businesses, taking into account that individual resources and deficits need to be balanced against each other. Additionally, a comparison was made between the financial measures taken during the Covid-19 crisis in Austria and the current regulations for disaster relief funds.
finished
Conference on water, climate change, and adaptation
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | Climate change poses a key challenge to water management and water-dependent sectors in the EU. Increasing water scarcity, deteriorating water quality, and heavy rainfall events or floods have serious consequences for drinking water supply and freshwater protection.
ongoing
Climate change and tourism in Germany
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The project identified the impact of climate change on the tourism sector in Germany and possible adaptation mechanisms.
finished
Support of the European Innovation Partnership on Water
European Commission, DG Environment | The European Innovation Partnership on Water (EIP Water) was an initiative within the EU 2020 Innovation Union. The EIP Water facilitated the development of innovative solutions to address major European and global water challenges.
finished
Screening tool for the climate proofing of River Basin Management Plans
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in 2000. It defines the environmental objectives for all European surface and groundwaters. The objectives of the Directive are to protect waters, preventing deterioration and protecting and improving the state of water bodies, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands.
finished
Theory of change and Roadmap for the restoration of the Guadalquivir River estuary (Spain)
WWF Spain | WWF developed a roadmap for restoring the Guadalquivir River estuary (Spain) as a follow-up to a workshop held with relevant stakeholders in 2019. The roadmap contains a vision, objectives, success indicators, and prioritised action sheets with further details, and is based on the theory of change. This also included Interviews and a workshop with experts and stakeholders.
finished
Linking environmental planning tools with funding mechanisms
European Commission, DG Environment | The post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposal foresees greater subsidiarity. Member States (MS) have flexibility in the choice of environmental interventions to adapt them to their local needs.
finished
Framework Contract on Evaluation, Review and Development of EU Water Policy
European Commission, DG Environment | The objective of the framework contract was to provide services to the Water Unit in DG Environment.
finished
Oasis Innovation Hub for Catastrophe and Climate Extremes Risk Assessment
Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) | The overarching goal of the Oasis Innovation Hub for Catastrophe and Climate Extremes Risk Assessment Project (H2020_Insurance) was to support the understanding of climate risks by the (re-) insurance sector and society in general.
finished
Support to the India-EU Water Partnership
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | Provision of technical expertise for the actions “Development and implementation support to the India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP)” and “Support to Ganga Rejuvenation (SGR)" co-financed by the EU / BMZ.
finished
Sustainable Integrated Management FOR the NEXUS of water-land-food-energy-climate for a resource-efficient Europe (SIM4NEXUS)
Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) | Water, land, food, energy, and climate are interconnected, comprising a coherent system (the ‘Nexus’), dominated by complexity and feedback. Putting pressure on one part of the Nexus can put pressure on the other parts.
ongoing
Conference: Water Management and Agriculture 2.0
Sachverständigen-Kuratorium (SVK) | This conference was organised to deepen some aspects of the BMU's national water dialogue. The 2019 conference brought together water managers, farmers and agricultural experts to find answers to pressing issues in the interaction between agriculture and water management. The outcomes fed into the national water dialogue process and promoted an understanding of the respective language.
finished
WFD-NO Comp check
Water Research Centre Limited (WRc plc) | The contract involved providing technical assistance to the Water Research Centre Limited (WRc) in assessing the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Norway.
finished
Significant Pressures from diffuse pollution in BG
Worldbank | On the 28th of June 2018, The World Bank (WB) and the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) agreed to a Reimbursable Advisory Service (RAS) contract to deliver an Advisory Program.
finished
State of Play and Flood risk in the EU
European Commission, Joint Research Center (JRC) | Under the UCPM Decision No 1313/2013/EU, Member States must develop risk assessments at national or appropriate sub-national level and make available a summary of the relevant elements to the Commission every three years.
finished
Floods Directive and Water Framework Directive Compliance check
European Commission, DG Environment | The contract provided technical assistance to the Commission in assessing the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive (FD) by the 28 EU Member States.
finished
European Topic Centre on Climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation 2014-2018
European Environment Agency (EEA) | The European Topic Centre on Climate Change impacts, vulnerability and Adaptation (ETC/CCA) was a Consortium of European Organizations commissioned by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to carry out specific tasks - as defined in the ETC/CCA Annual Action Plan (AP) - in line with the EEA five-year strategy, the Multiannual Work Programme and the specific EEA Annual Work Programme in the field of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation (CCIVA) across Europe.
finished
Nexus Assessment in South East Europe
Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) | The study aimed to identify the management of natural resources regarding the Nexus (i.e. water, energy, land and environment), the interlinkages and potential benefits, trade-offs, governance and conflicts between the Nexus sectors in each country (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia) and in the SEE2020 region. It also aimed to briefly assess the level and status of cooperation for managing the transboundary basins in the SEE2020 region.
finished
Preparation of the “Nexus Assessment Reports in six South East Europe Economies”
Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) | The Study aimed to identify the level of integrating natural resource management related to the Nexus (i.e. water, energy, land and environment), the interlinkages and potential benefits, trade-offs, governance and conflicts among Nexus sectors in each country (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia) and in the SEE2020 region. In addition, it aimed to briefly assess the level and status of cooperation for managing transboundary basins in the SEE2020 region.
finished
Assessment CAP 2020+
European Commission, DG Environment | On 1 June 2018, the Commission presented a single legal proposal for the future CAP: “Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
finished
Advisory Service for a Tapi River Basin Management Plan Stakeholder Workshop
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | GIZ requested FT to support the development of background documents and a workshop on river basin management in Pune and another workshop on ecological flows in New Delhi.
finished
Moderation Forum water/wastewater IFAT 2018
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | IFAT is a trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw material management and takes place every two years at the exhibition centre in Munich. With over 3,000 exhibitors from 59 countries and around 135,000 visitors from all over the world, the trade fair has established itself as the leading event for the environmental technology sector. In this context, BMU held a forum event on 14 May 2018 entitled: Current developments in water policy - Strategic approaches to trace substances and requirements for the reuse of treated wastewater. Thomas Dworak from Fresh Thoughts moderated the forum.
finished
EU-Iran environment and climate change exchanges
European Commission, DG Environment | In 2016, Iran and the EU agreed to start cooperation on the environment and adaptation to climate change.
finished
Mongolia: Improvement of Guideline on River Basin Council establishment
2030 Water Resources Group | Within the frame of its activities in Mongolia “strengthening water governance at river basin level” by facilitating cooperation and building capacities, 2030 WRG aimed to improve and renew the existing guidelines (Order A-124 MET on River Basin Council (RBC) establishment, 2013) and to enable the RBC activity regarding the law and guideline.
finished
Sava adaptation strategy
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) | The four riparian countries of the Sava River Basin (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia) ratified the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (FASRB) as a unique international agreement, which integrated many aspects of water resource management and established the International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) to implement the FASRB.
finished
WWF Report on Irrigation Modernization
WWF Spain | In 2014, WWF Spain published a report highlighting problems in ensuring water savings in agriculture contribute to sustainable water quantity management at the water body or basin levels.
finished
Good Cases of Water Framework Directive Implementation in Europe
WWF UK | The WaterLIFE - LIFE13 ENV/UK/000497 - “Delivery of the Water Framework Directive through collaborative action between civil society and the private sector” project included ACTION D3: European Knowledge Exchange.
finished
Mid-term evaluation of the GIZ-EDEKA-SAB Miller Water Stewardship Strategic Alliance
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | In 2013, EDEKA, SAB Miller and GIZ started a strategic alliance (STA) to support private-public water stewardship initiatives in several countries (Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras), addressing urban sanitation, wetland restoration, irrigation efficiency, groundwater recharge and payments for ecosystem services. Fresh-Thoughts Consulting GmbH was contracted to develop an external mid-term evaluation of the Strategic Alliance and its Partnerships, according to OECD/DAC and WORKS criteria.
finished
Assessment of the contributions of the Spanish Rural development Plans 2014-2020 to the achievement of WFD objectives
WWF Spain | Fresh Thoughts was asked to analyse the contributions of the Spanish Rural Development Plans 2014-2020 on achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive.
finished
Mid-term review of GIZ
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | In 2013, EDEKA, SAB Miller and GIZ started a strategic alliance (STA) with the aim of supporting water stewardship initiatives in several countries (Egypt, Columbia, Honduras), which is allocated at develoPPP within GIZ.
finished
Climate Europe Festival Workshop Moderation
Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht (Hereon) | The Climateurope Project (Horizon 2020 689029) contracted FT to moderate a workshop during its festival in Valencia.
finished
Framework contract to support development and implementation of EU freshwater policies
European Commission, DG Environment | The protection of Europe’s water resources is a high priority for the European Union. Since the 1970s, the European Union adopted various legislative and policy measures to protect water from pollution and to reduce risks to human health.
finished
Support to Activities related to the EU Policy on Integrated Coastal Management and Maritime Spatial Planning
European Commission, DG Environment | Coastal and marine areas face a multitude of activities that often cause unsustainable development. The need for integrated coastal management (ICM) and maritime spatial planning (MSP) in Europe stems from increasing competition for maritime space by diverse actors and industries.
finished
Assessment of the status of water bodies and ecosystems in Doñana
WWF Spain | WWF Spain has been involved in the conservation of the Doñana wetlands since the 1960s.
finished
Water Resources and River Rejuvenation “Centre of Excellence” in Uttar Pradesh & Development of a Blueprint for Water accounting for India
2030 Water Resources Group | Fresh Thoughts advised the Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP) on the creation and operation of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Water Resources and River Rejuvenation (WR&RR) in the largest state of the Ganga Basin. Additionally, the team developed a Blueprint for Water Accounting (following the UN-SEEAW standard).
finished
Framework contract for the Support to the Implementation of the Water Industry Directives
European Commission, DG Environment | In addition to the European Water Framework Directive, the Urban Waste Water Directive (91/271/EEC), the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) and the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EC), which was repealed from December 2014 by the new Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC), are cornerstone Directives of the EU water legislation because they significantly contribute to protecting European water resources.
finished
WE@EU Web based Joint Action Plan Dynamization
WE@EU | Fresh Thoughts supported WE@EU in the preparation and targeted dissemination of its project's final event, addressing urban water efficiency, clusters, and pan-European networks.
finished
Development of the Luxembourg River Basin Management Plan I
Administration de la Gestion de l’Eau, Luxembourg | Fresh Thoughts supported the Administration de la Gestion de l'Eau (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) in updating and completing the reports required under Article 5 and Article 11 of the WFD.
finished
Assessment of the study “Potential of multi-purpose-use of the hydropower reservoirs of the Drin cascade in Albania”
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | Within the contract, the results of the study “Potential of multi-purpose-use of the hydropower reservoirs of the Drin cascade in Albania” were forwarded to the GIZ staff. This included, above all, placing the results from the Drin/Albania case study in a broader context and drawing conclusions about transferability in the context of the water-energy-food security nexus. As a result, an article was written as a discussion paper as part of the GIZ's internal discussion paper series on sustainable hydropower use.
finished
Potential of multi-purpose-use of the Hydropower Reservoirs of the Drin Cascade in Albania
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | The main objective of the study was to determine the possibilities and limits of the multi-purpose use of the Drin Cascade.
finished
Strategic support to the ECODES Foundation (Spain)
Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo, Spain | The ECODES Foundation has established an innovative way of working by involving a broader group of individuals called „ECODES ABIERTA“, to align its activities with ambitious global targets. Within this framework, Fresh Thoughts provided strategic input to the "water" strategy.
finished
UNECE-Water convention
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) | At its sixth session (Rome, 28–30 November 2012), the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention mandated the IWRM Working Group, in consultation with the Implementation Committee, to do an analysis on the reporting needs under the Convention, taking into account the capacity of countries and other relevant reporting mechanisms.
finished
Natural Water Retention Measures in the Danube region
International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) | This contract supported the ICDPR in drafting a short guide on potential synergies and conflicts in the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Floods Directive.
finished
Support to ECOSTAT Nutrients Workshop
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | This contract supported the ECOSTAT Working Group under the WFD CIS process. For the Working Group's meeting in November 2015, a report on nutrient boundaries in transitional, coastal and marine waters in the EU was developed.
finished
Streamlining water into Rural development Programmes
European Commission, DG Environment | The revision of the Common Agricultural Policy, which started with the Commission's Communication on "The CAP towards 2020" in November 2010, was finalised with the publication of the corresponding regulations in December 2013.
finished
Strategic Environmental Assessment for the first Flood Risk Management Plan in Austria
Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (BML), Austria | Fresh Thoughts supported the strategic environmental assessment for the first Austrian flood risk management plan, by drafting the scoping and the environmental report.
finished
Water Risk assessment for Citrus production in Southern Spain
EDEKA | Within EDEKA's overall assessment to improve the environmental performance of its supply chain at the "El Esparragal" citrus farm, Fresh Thoughts assessed potential upscaling strategies to involve more farmers in sustainability strategies to address water quantity management.
ongoing
Quality Review of a report on drought risk management
WWF China | WWF China requested Fresh Thoughts to develop a strategic Quality Assurance check for a publication aimed at proposing better drought management.
finished
UNECE Workshops Transboundary Flood Risk Management II
German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany | The main advantages of transboundary cooperation are that it broadens the knowledge/information base, enlarges the set of available strategies and enables better and more cost-effective solutions. In addition, expanding the geographical area considered by basin planning makes it possible to locate measures where they have the greatest impact.
finished
Evaluation of Horizon 2020 applications
European Commission, DG Research | The European Commission appointed independent experts to assist in research and innovation assignments, including proposal evaluation, project monitoring, programme evaluation, and policy design.
finished
Support to a Workshop on River Basin Management and Rural development Programmes in Andalusia (Spain)
WWF Spain | Fresh Thoughts facilitated a workshop for WWF Spain to identify options on how the Andalusian Rural Development measures (EARDF) can best contribute to the objectives of the Spanish River Basin Management Plans under the Water Framework Directive.
finished
Support to the International Water Management Institute
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Sri Lanka | IWMI requested support from the FT-Team to write a proposal on innovative incentives for sustainable and efficient water management across the water–food–energy nexus.
finished
Water & Sanitation knowledge networks and innovation in Bolivia
Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo, Spain | CIMAS (Knowledge and Innovation Networks for the Environment, Water and Sanitation) is a program of the Bolivian Ministry of Environment and Water with the support of the European Union and the Spanish Aid Agency AECID.
finished
Support to the development of inland and coastal water project evaluation criteria and preparation of calls for proposals (Bulgaria)
Ministry of Environment and Water (Bulgaria) | The Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and Norway funds several programs in different countries and priority areas. In Bulgaria, in the 2009-2014 period, one of the funded programs was called “BG02” and focused on improved integrated management of Marine and Inland Waters.
finished
Policy insight Report – nutrient and organic Pollution in 8 river basins from Europe, North America and Africa
Stockholm International Water Institute | The study presented experiences from river basins around the world regarding the control of water pollution through nutrients (nitrogen, to be specific) and organic material.
finished
Climate Sensitive Flood Management in the Lower Mekong Basin
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | Floods are essential events that determine the natural characteristics of an aquatic environment and its connected wetlands, as well as ensure a functioning ecology.
finished
International Roundtable on Water and Energy Nexus in transboundary basins in Southeastern Europe
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | As a contractor to Global Water Partnership, Fresh Thoughts Consulting conducted a study to identify the status, challenges, and issues of water and energy nexus in transboundary basins of South-eastern Europe.
finished
Internal WWF-DCP Briefing Document Implementation and Shortcomings regarding the European WFD in RO, BG, HU and AT
WWF Austria | This short study provided the WWF with an overview on the European Commission's findings and assessment on the EU WFD River Basin Management Plans of Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
finished
Framework Contract to Support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive
European Commission, DG Climate Action | The implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) poses enormous challenges to the Member States as well as to the European Commission. The main objective of this framework contract was to provide advice on scientific, socio-economic and technical issues related to the WFD on an as-needed basis.
finished
Assessing Water Framework Directive Pressures and Measures
European Commission, DG Climate Action | In 2010, the European Parliament announced that it would make €1.5 million available for a "top-down" assessment of the RBMPs to carry out an in-depth analysis of certain identified subjects including governance, development of methodologies, integration of measures in the WFD programme, as well as economic aspects and integration.
finished
Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources
European Commission, DG Environment | This project supported the impact assessment of the Blueprint by bringing together the output of the River Basin Management Plan Assessment, the Water Scarcity and Droughts Policy Review, and the Fitness Check by conducting cross-cutting analyses and linking previous studies and research projects.
finished
Mekong river Basin Development Plan (BDP) Programme – Study visit to the Danube River Basin
Mekong River Commission | The Mekong River's Basin Development Programme (BDP) 2011-2015 was designed to facilitate and support the implementation of the Basin Development Strategy. The 2012 work plan included a study visit to the Danube Basin for ‘technical middle managers’ involved in the implementation of the Strategy.
finished
Gap analysis of the EU policy on water scarcity & droughts
European Commission, DG Climate Action | The study synthesised knowledge on water scarcity & droughts in the EU to provide input to the “Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water”.
finished
Climate proofing of EU policies
European Commission, DG Climate Action | This study assessed the most significant threats and challenges of climate change to the EU, focussing on policy areas of particular relevance for the EU budget and investigating where no or little action had been taken so far.
finished
Status of the Water Framework Directive implementation process in EU Member States
Seges | At the 2012 Plant Congress in Denmark, which took place from 10-12 January, Fresh Thoughts gave a presentation on the implementation status of the WFD, focusing on how different EU Baltic Sea countries deal with agriculture pressures and how they designate hydromorphological water bodies.
finished
Water Framework Directive & municipal enterprises
Verband kommunaler Unternehmen Österreichs (VKÖ) | Fresh Thoughts provided training on the Water Framework Directive to representatives from community services.
finished
EU Water pricing for agriculture
European Commission, DG Climate Action | The focus of this study was to provide a general overview of the use of water pricing and water allocation policies in Europe.
finished
Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mekong Region I
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | This project aimed to strengthen the capacity of relevant institutions to adapt to changes in flooding patterns in the lower Mekong basin caused by climate change.
finished
Water Framework Directive and Hydropower
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany | The 2nd European CIS workshop on Water Management, WFD & Hydropower was held to exchange information and experiences gained on hydropower development under the Water Framework Directive.
finished
Support to the International Conference on Watershed Management
German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany | As part of the International Conference “From Local Watershed Management to Integrated River Basin Management at National and Transboundary Levels”, Fresh Thoughts prepared and presented the keynote presentation on topic 3 of the conference on “Economics and Financing issues in watershed management perspectives from Europe”.
finished
Cost Effectiveness Analysis within the Water Framework Directive
Office National de l’Eau et des Milieux Aquatiques (ONEMA), France | The aim of this study was to provide an overview and to evaluate the application of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) methods in implementing the Water Framework Directive in France and Europe.
finished
Agriculture in the Baltic Sea
Federation of Swedish Farmers, Sweden | Fresh Thoughts supported the conference by preparing the Panel discussion.
finished
5th Danube Summit, Conference & Exhibition
Via Donau | Together with the EFIP, Fresh Thoughts was working on “Good practices of environmental protection in European inland ports”. Which was presented at the 5th European Danube Summit in June 2010.