At the beginning of 2024, the Horizon Europe-funded SpongeBoost project was launched. Coordinated by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the project brings together a consortium of ten partners from seven different countries. This four-year initiative aims to enhance landscape sponge functions for climate change adaptation.

SpongeBoost commenced with its first consortium meeting from February 21-23 in Leipzig, Germany. Representatives from all ten partnering institutions attended the kick-off, setting the stage for collaborative efforts over the next four years. During the three-day meeting, participants acquainted themselves with fellow project members and engaged in in-depth discussions on the project’s mission, work plans, the importance of team synergies, and potential collaborative initiatives beyond the project.

Here are the main highlights from the meeting:

Dr. Mathias Scholz, the Project Coordinator from UFZ, opened the event with a welcoming speech. Following this, project partners introduced themselves, their institutions, and their roles. Prisca Haemers from DG Research and Innovation (European Commission) provided insights into the project's alignment with EU climate adaptation initiatives. Representatives from sister projects, SpongeScapes and OPTAIN, also shared their work.

The project teams outlined their objectives:

• WP1: Conducting a comprehensive literature review and compiling best practices.
• WP2: Compiling e a pan-European database on projects enhancing landscape sponge functions.
• WP3: Testing and implementing innovative solutions across six case study areas: Azores, Xistral Mountains of Galicia and Ebro, Eifel-High Fens, Weise Eltert, Pärnu catchment, and Alma Pedia.
• WP4: Creating a roadmap to boost sponge functions for policy and practitioners.
• WP5: Managing communication, dissemination, and showcasing best practices, including building the project brand and promoting outcomes.

Two interactive workshops occurred at the meeting. The first one's focus was on harmonizing measuring and modelling approaches across case studies. The other aimed to ensure collaboration across work groups. 

Another major highlight was a guided tour of the Leipzig floodplain forest, showcasing facilities designed to prevent flooding. The tour highlighted the ongoing debate between ecological and state perspectives, emphasising the need for solutions that preserve nature while protecting local communities.

The third day of the kickoff event is a half-day session dedicated to finalising the discussions from the previous days and setting the work plans for the next phase of the project.

This kickoff event has set a strong foundation for the SpongeBoost project, laying out clear objectives and fostering a collaborative environment to drive the project forward over the next four years.