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Description
The aim of the current project is to involve researchers from all partner institutions in preparing a joint application on the overreaching topic of lake restoration planning and practical testing. The expected result is a ready for submission project proposal (at least one) to “Horizon Europe” or other relevant source of funding.We have planned to realize 5 project activities: 1) Kick-off meeting in Estonia; 2) online meetings; 3) preparation of joint project application for funding; 4) communication of project activities on social platforms; 5) project publicity.The project has 4 partners: Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (Latvia), The State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre (Lithuania), The Chair of Hydrobiology and Fishery of Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (Norway).
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to involve researchers from all the partner institutions in preparing a joint application on the overreaching topic of lake restoration planning and practical testing. The expected result was a ready for submission project proposal (at least one) to “Horizon Europe” or other relevant source of funding. The project was important as it set out to address the greater challenge of bettering aquatic resource management in the Baltic states via uniting the leading limnological research institutions in the Baltic states and acquiring advice from the experienced Norwegian partner. The project has created positive socioeconomic impact on both the scientific community, via collaborative project preparation, and the key stakeholders via the public seminars.
The main project activities: 1) Kick-off meeting in Estonia The kick-off meeting took place on 18-19.09 in Tartu. The partners agreed to prepare a joint project application for the call “Water4All 2023 Joint Transnational Call “Aquatic Ecosystem Services””. The meeting was hosted by EMU. 2) Online meetings Three online meetings have taken place. The first meeting was used to discuss and plan the project activities, all the partners participated. The other 2 meetings were used to discuss the preparation of the joint project application. All the partners as well as the representatives from Aarhus University and WaterITech participated. The meetings were moderated by LIAE. 3) Preparation of joint project application for funding .Work progress: one joint project application for funding has been prepared and submitted to “Water4All 2023 Joint Transnational Call “Aquatic Ecosystem Services””. The project application process is divided in 2 phases and at the given moment the pre-proposal has been prepared and submitted. Two additional project partners were contacted and agreed to join the project preparation. Aarhus University and WaterITech are both highly regarded institutions in the field of lake research and management planning. 5) Communication of project activities on social platforms and project publicity: the project promoter has created a dedicated section on the institute`s website and reported on the kick-off meeting via Facebook. Project partners have posted on their websites. LIAE, EMU and NRC have organized public seminars in their respective countries. 6) Project final meeting for future collaborations in Latvia: LIAE hosted the event, all the partners attended in person or online. Work progress: all the partners met in Cesis, Latvia to discuss the potential avenues for future collaboration.
Project activities have strengthened the cooperation between the project partners from the Baltic states and Norway. A joint project application has already been prepared. Two more highly regarded partners from Denmark have been involved in the preparation of the application. The project team met both in person and online. It is planned to prepare another joint project application on the topic of small urban lake management in the near future. The fact that the current project team has worked together in preparing a previous EEA-Norway grant definitely increased the sustainability of the bilateral cooperation at the project level. This and the fact that the team consisted of likely minded individuals and institutions created a very positive co-working environment.
Indicators achieved in the project: 1 joint project application for further funding was submitted, 6 researchers were supported.
Summary of bilateral results
The preparation of the project application was realized within the framework of an existing cooperation network between partners: the Latvian Institute of Hydroecology, the Nature Research Centre, the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research. The project partners from the Baltic States are the leading freshwater research centres in the respective countries. Despite this, the partners of the Baltic States lack experience in the planning and implementation of lake restoration. The Norwegian partner, on the other hand, has a lot of experience in these matters. Thus, the project team proved that it has the necessary skills to prepare a competitive project application while simultaneously strengthening cooperation between the Baltic States and Norway. Stakeholders also benefited from the implementation of the project by participating in public seminars and gaining knowledge about lake management and research.The aim of the current project was to involve researchers from all the partner institutions in preparing a joint application on the overreaching topic of lake restoration planning and practical testing. The expected result was a ready for submission project proposal (at least one) to “Horizon Europe” or other relevant source of funding.The project partner institutions, researchers and stakeholders involved in lake restoration were seen as the main final beneficiaries of the project. The established project team worked together effectively and the planned project results were achieved. We also involved other research groups in the preparation of the joint project application, thus benefiting a wider scientific audience. The project partners introduced the broader concept of lake restoration to stakeholders by organising 3 public workshops: in each Baltic country, thus benefiting the general public interested in lake restoration.