about us
THE TEAM
29 partners from 15 countries
United Kingdom
Established in 1920, Swansea University is a Higher Education and Research Institution in Wales that was ranked in the UK’s top 20 Universities for Graduate Prospects and 5 star in the University QS system for teaching quality. The Biosciences department at Swansea was ranked 7th in the UK and top in Wales in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. Over 93% of our research outputs were regarded as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) and Swansea Biosciences had the highest percentage of publications judged ‘world-leading’ in the sector. The department (and the University) has a strong focus on applied research, industrial links, and knowledge transfer.
The Netherlands
Founded in 2014, World Fish Migration Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on the recovery of freshwater migratory fish populations through the restoration of river longitudinal connectivity. WFMF has created in only 6 years the most important citizens awareness international event for freshwater migratory fish (World Fish Migration Day), the largest dam removal movement, community and resource site in Europe (Dam Removal Europe) and has developed the biggest network in Europe of freshwater ecosystem practitioners, researchers and managers.
United Kingdom
The University of Southampton (SOTON) is one of the leading universities in the United Kingdom, was founded in 1952 and is a member of prestigious Russell Group of UK Universities. SOTON has more than 16,000 undergraduate students and 6,200 postgraduates and is an excellent venue for conducting cutting-edge research and for providing high-quality education. The university is truly international, drawing students from over 130 different countries and benefiting from a wide and varied culture. It is ranked in the top 100 of universities worldwide (QS world university rankings 2020) and in the top 15 of research-led universities in the UK (REF 2014).
Poland
The European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ERCE) is an institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, working since 2006 under the auspices of UNESCO and belonging to the UNESCO Water Centers. On a basis of a long-term agreement with the University of Lodz (UL), ERCE forms a twin institute with the UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology (EHAE UL). ERCE specializes in trans-disciplinary research projects focused on developing nature-based system solutions for integrated water resource management and environmental landscape planning, which covers three pillars: i) transdisciplinary science: ecohydrology, hydrobiology, freshwater ecology, environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, phytotechnology, remote sensing and modelling of ecosystem and landscape processes; ii) science implementation iii) education and capacity building: facilitation of stakeholder process.
Poland
The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute (SSIFI) is a government research institute, working for over 60 years in the field of inland fisheries. The staff consists of 128 persons including 52 researchers, working in 11 research departments and 2 experimental fishery farms. The Institute has also gathered information on fish populations and fishery in Poland for over 50 years. The fishery research on rivers, dam reservoirs and lakes, aquaculture, fish health and fish breeding are the main tasks. The research on rivers, lakes and dam reservoirs focuses on fish monitoring and valorisation, effects of river damming and regulation to fish, and on methods of estimating fish resources and optimisation of stocking and exploitation as a basis to fisheries management. The Institute leads of several restitution programs of migratory fish species (Atlantic salmon, sea trout, eel, vimba, sturgeon) in Poland.
Germany
m4h is a global consulting firm based in Frankfurt, Germany, with in-house expertise working in close collaboration with an extensive global network of specialized experts to design, implement, monitor and evaluate healthcare projects and programs. Created in 2012, m4h have planned and implemented over 100 projects in over 40 countries and work for national Ministries and stakeholders in projects funded by various International Organisations including the European Union (EU), the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs through both the KfW Development Bank and the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ), the World Bank (WB) and the International Financing Corporation (IFC), Lux Development, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Health Organization (WHO) and by private healthcare organisations.
Europe
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global NGO whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To do this their 4,000+ staff, including around 700 scientists, work in 74 countries developing and employing solutions to the world’s greatest conservation challenges. This includes work to minimize and mitigate climate change and improve our resilience to it. This layers on a 65-year record of protecting and restoring millions of hectares of land and marine areas and thousands of kilometers of rivers. TNC identifies pathways to scale up Nature-Based Solutions for water security and mainstream them as part of water sector spending. These NBS solutions include actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, to address global challenges effectively and adaptively for biodiversity while simultaneously providing human well-being benefits.
Spain
AEMS-RÍOS CON VIDA is a Spanish non-profit association founded in 1979, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of rivers and riparian habitats. Its social base is made up of more than 2,500 people, mainly conservationist fishermen and friends of rivers, including scientists, civil servants and public employees committed to the care and protection of river ecosystems. AEMS-RÍOS CON VIDA organizes its activity in four areas of work: science, law, education, communication and social participation, pursuing the best application of the law, sustainability and public awareness in relation to the uses of water and river spaces. It develops different programs and projects that aim to identify rivers as endangered habitats and defend the restoration of their ecological continuity and their naturalness, eliminating or permeating artificial barriers, implementing environmental flow regimes or reducing water consumption and pollution.
Denmark
For almost two centuries DTU, Technical University of Denmark, has been dedicated to fulfilling the vision of H.C. Ørsted—the father of electromagnetism—who founded the university in 1829 to develop and create value using the natural- and technical sciences to benefit society. DTU is a vibrant elite technical university, recognized for its high level of international research and its sought-after graduates. Through collaboration, our 6,000 staff and 11,200 students reach out to the world and work across disciplines to create value, welfare, and growth by developing technologies that work in a globalized world, transcending social and cultural differences. The University is at the academic and multidisciplinary forefront of the technical and the natural sciences—with new initiatives in a number of demanding engineering disciplines, including sustainable energy technology and life science.
United Kingdom
The University of Kent, founded in 1965, is a leading UK university ranked 21st by the Times Higher Education (THE) 'Table of Tables' 2017. It was awarded a gold rating in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and 73% of academic research output was judged to be ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the 2014 Research Assessment Framework (REF). Known as the ‘UK’s European university’, Kent is the only UK university with postgraduate centres in Athens, Brussels, Paris and Rome. Kent Business School (KBS), the largest division in the University with over 100 academic staff, is a leading UK business school belonging to the top 1% of global institutions with ‘Triple Crown’ accreditation – the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) from the European Foundation for Management Development, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA). Ranked 25 in the UK for research intensity in Business and Management (REF 2014), KBS champions rigorous and applicable research and education for a sustainable future.
Italy
The Istituto Superiore per la Ricerca e la Protezione Ambientale (ISPRA – Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) is a governmental research institute developing research, tools and services and providing training to ensure environmental protection and support the implementation of environmental legislation, in close contact with relevant competent authorities, stakeholders and citizens. ISPRA is also the central node of a federated system of regional environmental protection agencies, in charge of environmental monitoring and controls. It is the National Focal Point of the European Environment Agency and has the function of National Geological/Hydrological Survey. Given its role in supporting central government and local institutions in the technical implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Floods Directive (FD), ISPRA’s Area of Hydrology, Hydromorphology, Hydrodynamics and Freshwater Ecosystem Dynamics (BIO-ACAS) has developed the national methodological framework to support river management and restoration compliantly with WFD and FD and a related toolbox, which is applied nationwide (IDRAIM) and taught through specific training courses promoting river education to the competent authorities and professional.
Estonia
The Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) was founded in 1918 and is Estonia’s premier technical university. Contributing to this project are the TalTech Centre for Environmental Sensing Technologies, which is a highly multidisciplinary research group at the forefront of underwater science and technology. The Blue Rivers environmental technologies include real-time mapping, beaver dam monitoring and webservices for automated guidance of river restoration projects is lead by Assoc. Prof. Jeffrey Tuhtan, an expert in sensing in extreme outdoor environments. The core expertise of the TalTech team lies in environmental sensing and data-driven modelling of extreme aquatic environments. The internationally recognized research team consists of 1 associate professor, 2 researchers, 5 PhD candidates, 1 Post-Doc, and 2 full-time support engineers as well as MSc and Bsc students from Estonia and abroad.
Slovenia
REVIVO is a young (November 2015) and small non-profit NGO well on its way to become one of the leading environmental action entities in Slovenia. We have a wide background and experience in Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems and management of both fresh and marine waters. We specialise in research and subsequent mitigation of anthropogenic impacts on aquatic environments by working closely with stakeholders and managing authorities, bridging the gaps with innovative and integrated solutions adopted by all. In addition, we designate much effort in raising awareness of the importance of aquatic ecosystems conservation and restoration. Having been gaining experience at the Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia we have extensive hands-on experience with freshwater monitoring and management as well as cooperating with multitude of stakeholders, including aquaculture operations, hydro-power plant operations, fishermen, Ministries and other administrative bodies at local, national and international levels.
Austria
The Austrian University of Natural Resources and Life Science, Vienna (BOKU) founded in 1872, is among the leading universities for sustainability in Europe and combines natural, technical and socio-economic sciences. BOKU sees itself as an innovation leader in the green economy, with the goal of integrating sustainability into all processes in society. BOKU has a vast experience in coordinating research and educational projects and managing student and staff exchanges in various international programmes. At European level BOKU, is actively engaged in networks, focusing on relevant green topics in research and education. The BOKU team offers profound knowledge in the institutionalisation processes. The interdisciplinary team comprised of socio-ecologists and river engineers. Besides integrated water ecosystem assessment and monitoring, the main areas of research are: restoration, mitigation and conservation of biodiversity and ecology of aquatic organisms, ecosystem- and water management including fisheries and aquaculture.
Germany
Research
for the Future of our Freshwaters” is the mission of the Leibniz
Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). IGB is
Germany’s largest and one of the leading international research centres
for freshwaters. It combines basic and preventive research, trains young
scientists and advises decision-makers and society for a sustainable
freshwater management. Its key research activities include the long-term
development of lakes, rivers and wetlands and the effects of climate
change, the renaturation of ecosystems, the conservation of aquatic
biodiversity, and technologies for sustainable aquaculture. A better
understanding of freshwaters and all their ecological aspects supports
policy-makers and society in coping with global challenges and in
managing and conserving water bodies for the benefit of people and
nature.
Norway
SINTEF Energi is an institute for applied research dedicated to create innovative energy solutions. We offer cutting-edge knowledge in Norway and internationally based on research that provides for our clients added-value solutions and services. SINTEF Energi is part of the SINTEF Group, which is one of Europe's largest independent contract research organizations. SINTEF is an independent, not-for-profit organization. None of its owners receive any form of dividend. Profits are invested in scientific equipment, skills and expertise. SINTEF Energi works in close collaboration with the Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU). Together with NTNU, SER has access to more than 12,000 m2 of laboratories. This includes the new SINTEF Energy Lab located in Trondheim.
Spain and Portugal
The Iberian Centre for River Restoration (CIREF) was created in 2009. This non-profit association gathers about 150 professional experts on river restoration from Spain and Portugal. The main objective of the association is to promote river restoration as a way to improve the conservation status of the fluvial ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula.
Spain
The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation (FCLP) is a non-profit legal entity (Foundation) that aims for creating a better future for people, through ethics and innovation, and seeks to transform our dedication to the Catalan region and its people into action. Our mission is to work proactively for the development and social transformation of Catalonia, helping whoever needs us, including entrepreneurs, those who work for the future and those who create new ideas. In 2019 we benefited directly more than 500.000 people from our programs and activities. La Pedrera building in Barcelona, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is our main asset and the headquarters of the Foundation.
Spain
WWF-Spain is the Spanish section of WWF, the leading global environmental organisation with more than 5 million fellows across the planet. It is a non-profit organisation, independent, multicultural and non-party political which was founded in 1968 and declared as Public Utility in 1969. WWF is working locally and globally for nature conservation in Spain. WWF’s mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. As a science-based, nonpartisan, civil society organization, we work to conserve and restore biodiversity, the web that supports all life on Earth; to reduce humanity’s environmental footprint; and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources to support current and future generations.
France
ISE is an independent SME. ISE is a consulting company specializing in computer science and biological and physical modelling for players in the aquatic world. ISE has a strong expertise in the implementation of field studies and in the modelling of biological systems. ISE offers international expertise in relational and graph databases. ISE also offers hydraulic and water quality metrology services. ISE masters the entire IT chain necessary for writing scientific reports, from statistical analyses to cartographic production.
Germany
Ingenieurbüro Kauppert [ibk] is an SME founded in 2006 that is specialised in the development of tailor-made technical and research orientated engineering and software solutions in the field of environmental engineering. ibk’s main clients include research institutes and industrial companies working on hydraulic engineering. The Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), which is the scientific consultant for the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), has been a customer of ibk for more than 15 years. At the moment, IBK has a staff of nine engineers and scientists. Since 2001, Mr. Kauppert/ibk has handled a significant number of projects in the field of hydraulic engineering and software development. A primary focus is on the transfer of state-of-the-art techniques into the daily work of customers.
The Netherlands
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is the largest international graduate water education facility in the world and is based in Delft, the Netherlands. Since 1957 the Institute has provided water education and training to 23,000 professionals from over 190 countries, the majority from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Also, numerous research and projects are carried out in partnership to generate knowledge and strengthen capacity in the water sector worldwide. Through our overarching work on capacity development, IHE Delft aims to make a tangible contribution to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals in which water is key. IHE Delft operates as a Foundation under Dutch law, working under the auspices of UNESCO as a Category 2 center.
Denmark
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a Copenhagen based charity that is recognised as a global leader in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). With members in 79 countries around the world, FEE’s programmes represent the absolute cutting edge in ESD and Environmental Education, strongly linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our educational programmes Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment and Learning about Forests educate young people to cultivate a more environmentally conscious approach in their lives, raise leadership and critical thinking skills for life and minimise educational barriers for developing countries. Our tourism-based programmes Blue Flag and Green Key operate through an award system based on strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services. The Foundation for Environmental Education will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2021.
Italy
Dating back to 1222, the University of Padova (UniPd) is one of the leading Universities in Italy and has a long tradition of scientific excellence. The UniPd offers to the students 32 departments, 34 doctoral degree schools and 44 research and service centers across the spectrum of sciences, medicine, social sciences and humanities. The UniPd manages more than 300 European research projects and is one of the first subscribers of the Statement of Commitment for the implementation of the European Charter of Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C). According to the QS worldwide ranking (2020), the UniPd is within the top 20% universities. The Department of Geosciences has 52 faculty members and currently manages 14 European research projects.
Finland
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) is a research and expert organization that works to develop the bioeconomy and the sustainable use of natural resources. The Natural Resources Institute Finland was founded in 2015 by merging the research institutes of the administrative sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, the Finnish Forest Research Institute, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (FGFRI) and the statistical services of the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. As a relatively new organization Luke aims to be among the three most recognized research institutes in Europe with respect to bioeconomy and sustainability of natural resources management. Luke is already globally known as customer oriented research provider of bioeconomy solutions with special emphasis on innovative primary production and value-chains. Luke’s research is divided into four research programs. The research programs aim to create new bio-based products and business opportunities, increase productivity by digitalization, support regional vitality by circular economy, create well-being from immaterial values, and support the profitability of healthy food production.
France
The French National Centre for Scientific Research is an interdisciplinary public research organisation under the administrative supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. It is among the world's leading research institutions, a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public. Research is managed through 10 main research institutes that organize and coordinate the research in more than 1100 Joint Research Units, spread throughout France. These units are either intramural or in partnership with universities, other research organisations, or industry.
The research unit UMR 5600 "Environment City Society" (EVS) brings together research communities stemming from a wide range of disciplines from social sciences and humanities. Researchers belong to universities and colleges of the Lyon Saint-Etienne pole. Researchers from EVS are internationally recognized and are leading the scientific programs that accompany the restoration of the French Rhone river: the OSR program and the RhonEco program.
Europe
The ECRR is a small but influential European Association, it is considered internationally to be the key network to promote and build capacity and best practices for ecological river restoration across Europe. The ECRR is respected by the EU, governments, and the wider river restoration community in greater Europe, backed by its formal national network of members. The ECRR maintains this position by making the most out of the active involvement of its partners, members and contacts. The ECRR is an independent association, free to voice opinions, irrespective of the interests of partners and supporters. Through ECRR's activities, we exchange knowledge from one to another country, establish cross border and professional contacts and influence decision making. Our insights, case studies and technical information broaden perspectives of researchers, NGO's, practitioners and policy makers.
Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxemburg Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and the Belgian region Wallonia
For 70 years, Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and the European Union have been working together in the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) on the basis of a treaty under international law in order to reconcile the many different uses of the river and its protection. In order to fully implement European directives, this trans-boundary cooperation was extended to Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and the Belgian region Wallonia.
183 countries
Global Water Partnership (GWP), established in 1998, is a global action network with over 3,000 Partner organisations in 183 countries. GWP is a multi-stakeholder partnership that supports communities and countries to improve the way they manage water. The network consists of 65 Country Water Partnerships and 13 Regional Water Partnerships. GWP Central and Easter Europe was established in 1998 and is an international network of organizations involved in water resources management, including government institutions, professional associations, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations and private sector. Its vision is for a water secure world.
Belgium
Living Rivers Foundation engages in the protection of free rivers and freshwater life, sustainable management of water resources and the revitalisation of rivers landscapes – in Europe and internationally. Together with our partners, we advocate better implementation of policies that treat water as a cross-cutting issue. We also promote the idea of making economics work for the environment and dismantling harmful subsidies.
We believe that Europe can do better in protecting the last wild rivers and removing dams. Therefore, we advocate the establishment of a growing network of strictly protected free rivers across Europe.
LIVING RIVERS Foundation is a member of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) in Brussel, Europe’s largest federation of environmental citizen’s organizations.
France
Launched in 2008 and supported by the Association du Réseau des Rivières Sauvages, the Wild Rivers program has a clear objective: going far beyond the Very Good Ecological Status of the Water Framework Directive. To achieve this, an innovative tool has been created in 2014: the “Wild Rivers Site” label. Based on an integrated and volunteer approach with the local river managers, this non-regulatory tool require two conditions : 1) the river pass our evaluation grid of 47 socio-ecological criterias, and 2), the local stakeholders have an ambitious governance with a multi-annual action plan for protection, restoration and awareness. Today in France, 29 rivers or river stretches are certificated Wild River Site, and their union makes them stronger to fight against unsustainable policies and lobbies, to monitor and study them.
Italy
Patscheider & Partner Engineers Ltd. is a civil engineering consulting office with its headquarter in South Tyrol / Italy. Patscheider & Partner is currently working on a wide variety of projects in several countries of the EU, such as Italy, Austria, Germany, France, etc. In terms of River Engineering Patscheider & Partner gained competence in the following fields: hydro-morphological assessment of rivers, habitat modelling, sediment modelling, design of projects and site supervision for river restoration and fish migration facilities. Patscheider & Partner is active also in the small hydropower sector, bridging the challenges between renewable energies exploitation and conservation of ecological functionality of riverscapes.