STAR2C's - Short Term Adaptation for Long Term Resilience to Climate Change

Climate change is increasing the likelihood and impact of flooding. Yet the implementation of climate adaptation plans often lags behind. STAR2Cs, a project funded by the European Interreg 2 Seas subsidy scheme, aims to bridge the gap between climate measures and local initiatives by developing knowledge among stakeholders and encouraging participation in local decision-making processes. STAR2Cs is also introducing new tools for local climate adaptation.

Name of the subsidy program

Interreg 2 Seas 2014-2020 is aEuropean territorial cooperation program for England, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium (Flanders). The programme co-financed by theEuropean Regional Development Fund and has a total budget of €241 million. The overall objective is to develop an innovative, knowledge- and research-based, sustainable, and inclusive 2 Seas area, where natural resources are protected and the green economy is promoted.

Project objectives

The STAR2Cs project focuses on knowledge sharing between the partners, with five organizations participating as observers and monitoring developments within the STAR2Cs project. One of the most important project results is the Adaptation Catalyst, an e-tool that will include all eight local pilot projects as examples of how local scenarios can be developed. This e-tool will be made accessible to other users and stakeholders.

Contribution from HHNK

HHNK provides a water system analysis using detailed modeling. This analysis illustrates the functioning of the water system, including vulnerabilities and possible solutions. Because the areas can be compared with each other, the results of the water system analysis provide valuable input for the cyclical process of knowing – wanting – working, which is used in the Delta Program on Spatial Adaptation.

Location

Sixty polders are being modeled throughout the entire HHNK management area, with the exception of the Wieringermeer and the dunes.

Partners

The project has eight partners from four different member states (UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands):

  • Kent County Council (UK)
  • Waterways and Sea Canal NV (BE)
  • Province of East Flanders (BE)
  • Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland (NL)
  • Municipality of Capelle aan den Yssel (NL)
  • Flemish Environment Agency (NL)
  • Our Lady (France)
  • Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Authority (NL)

All parties are working together on climate adaptations at the local level, which are cost-effective in the long term but are being implemented in the short term. All pilots follow the same type of STAR2C approach, which will be compiled in an e-tool that is currently being developed.

Budget

The total budget for the project is €4.4 million. HHNK's contribution amounts to €401,665. Of this amount, €241,000 is subsidized by Europe (Interreg) and €60,250 by the Province of North Holland.

Duration of the project

The project started on July 13, 2017, and is expected to run until February 28, 2021.

Want to know more?

Please contact the Water Board's Subsidy Coordination Team using thecontact formor by calling 072 582 8282.