The project aims at developing pin-point initiatives as an effective and low cost means of improving the quality of the townscape along rivers and canals. The project will involve local stakeholders in order to adapt planned activities to local needs. National think tanks are participating to increase relevance on the national level and to dis-seminate results to a wider audience by means of strategy and policy papers. Outputs will include among others a river park, restored quay areas and an interactive design tool.

The project stimulates economic development of rural areas based on the environmental distinctiveness of the regions. Main method is the use of a ?virtuous spiral? concept, which uses four activity areas (new tourism offers, marketing and sales, maximizing special regional qualities and linking environmental and economic activity) to promote environment based economic activity.

The project focuses on narrowing the gap in access to broadband services in rural areas. The project intends to achieve this by undertaking a series of activities, which will result in a set of recommendations identifying broadband strategies for an increased implementation and use at a transnational, regional and local level.

The aim of BurVal is to deliver knowledge and understanding of the structural and hydrological properties of deeper groundwater resources found in buried valleys. This should lead to the development of spatial planning strategies that take these ancient groundwater reservoirs into account. 6 pilot projects will be carried out in the participating areas where groundwater quality and quantity will be evaluated. The results will be used as input for the development of geophysical methods and a model for exploration and examination of groundwater resources. These should become useful for instance when evaluating different spatial development scenarios. On the basis of the improved understanding gained through the project, will action plans and recommendations be developed. A 'technical handbook' as well as a 'planning handbook' will be direct project outputs targeting experts on the one hand and decision makers, spatial planners, waterworks and public authorities on the other.

The project seeks to investigate how the waterway network in the North Sea region can be developed and promoted further. Activities include promoting tourism linkages, developing the inland waterway network and developing the relationship between the waterways and their surroundings (local communities and businesses, natural and cultural heritage). The project should lead to improvements in the viability and use of the waterways and in tourism and economic development along the waterways.

The main aim of the project is to facilitate cooperation, exchange of experience and mutual assistance between NS regions in the event of coastal flooding. For that purpose the partners will look at the whole chain of safety, which includes the following links: proaction-prevention-preparation-response-aftercare. A contingency plan for the NSR will be developed based on a common approach and an inventory will be carried out regarding the equipment, resources and knowledge needed. Within the Dutch-Belgian coastline a pilot will be carried out on how to deal with the developed NSR contingency plan.

The aim of the project is to establish the North Sea Cycling Route (NSCR) as a permanent entity within a secure organisational structure, offering a high-quality cycling experience and an insight into the natural and cultural heritage of the North Sea Region. In order to achieve this aim, project activities target in part assessments of the economic impact of the route and its weaknesses and in addition raising awareness and disseminating information and knowledge. Simultaneously, the idea is to initiate pilot projects with some of the partners, which would lead to implementation of low cost physical improvements along the route and secure a high-quality product for the cycling tourist. Long-term partner motivation and commitment is important for the project.

The aim of the project is to increase future safety of coastal areas by strengthening the inner slope of the coastal defences and at the same time improving the flood retention capacity of the hinterland areas. The project work has been divided into six work pack-ages related to reconnaissance of the spatial potentials of the hinterland areas, performance of a socio-economic evaluation of the wetlands, providing a variety of technical solutions for strengthening of the defences; implementing participatory actions; and conducting pilot projects which will be fed from the results from the rest of the WPs.

The project aims at sustainable coastal risk management in the North Sea Region through exchange of experience and common evaluation and pilot studies. It will address the following aspects of risk management: Improvement of policies and strategies, common strategic planning tools, participation methods and performance indicators as well as common technical methods.

The main aim of the project is to initiate a process on defining and developing sustainable tourism destinations and to help regions overcome current social, economic and environmental constraints through the exploration and adoption of relevant policies and good practice. For this purpose the partners will carry out research into interpreting the concept of Sustainable Tourism Destination in their relevant contexts, compile information on issues to face in the process of becoming a sustainable tourism destination, undertake surveys and define good practices that could be applicable on a partner level. Recommendations to various levels of authorities will be devised. The project will be also supported by an ambitious media campaign, which will draw attention to the issues accompanying the process.

E-Voice aims to increase public influence and participation in political decision-making by improving the communication and interaction between citizens and politicians as well as public officials. The participating public authorities will also make available important information for citizens in a more user-friendly and accessible way.

A number of global trends, e.g. climate change, air pollution, declining oil and gas reserves, combined with increasing oil prices point to the need for a shift towards sustainable energy supply, producing renewable energy and using it in an efficient way. In the ERE project, sustainable energy has been identified as renewable energy and energy efficiency. The main aim of the project is to strengthen (energise) the competitiveness of the NS regions by focusing on sustainable energy and the large potentials presented for innovation, a process where the regions have a strategic role to play.

Escape aims to minimise the effects of flooding situations in coastal areas, through improving contingency plans, increasing public awareness and developing systems for monitoring high water and evacuation possibilities.

The project will identify new ways to manage and improve rural landscapes. It consists of a number of pilots addressing enhanced ecological value and preserved regional and cultural identity. Working with farmers and other stakeholders, this should still ensure sufficient economic opportunities for farmers.

The project seeks to improve the sustainability of development in flood risk areas by working with both technical and social aspects of flood risk information and its integration into decision support systems for spatial planning. The project will also consider transferable strategies for improved water management.

The project seeks to reduce flood risk in North Sea estuaries by combining Flood Control Areas, where water can be stored when water levels are high, with alternative sustainable land use. Activities include specific practical action at demonstration sites.

The project has been prepared as a tool to stimulate and accelerate the process of sustainable innovations. The main idea behind the project is to create an interregional co-operation on sustainable innovation between relevant stakeholders in order to foster the start-up and development of innovative companies, products and tools.

This project will develop tools and strategies including online mapping, data storage and data analysis for managing and sharing geodata. The long term aim is for these tools and strategies to contribute to better and more open governance as well as a more balanced application of information and communication technology in the North Sea region.

The project is looking into the most practical and environmentally sound option for wastewater treatment processes to eliminate TBT and reduce heavy metals in dockyards. Pilot projects will test solutions and results will be integrated into a decision support tool for use across the region and beyond.