Green Deal projects success stories : innovative governance tool to manage and protect wetlands.
Date: 2024-10-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: Italy, biodiversity, climate change, coastal protection, ecosystem, humid zone, innovation, marine ecosystem

European 
Commission 

GREEN  DEAL  PROJECTS 
SUCCESS  STORIES 
~ CLIMATE CHANGE &  BIODIVERSITY WORKING  GROUP 

INNOVATIVE GOVERNANCE TOOL 
TO  MANAGE AND  PROTECT WETLANDS 

October 2024 

ABOUT THE TRANSFORMAR  PROJECT 

In  the western  coast of Sardinia, the Gulf of Oristano hosts a dense 

system  of rivers,  lagoons and  salt marshes.  an  essential ecosystem 

for  mitigating  global  warming  and  providing  resilience  against  sea 
level  rise,  flooding  events,  storms  and  extreme  precipitation.  To 
effectively fulfil their defence role, the wetlands ecosystem needs to 

be well managed and protected. The Coastal Contract emerged as an 

answer  to  this  need,  promoting  integrated  governance  of  the 

wetlands. 

Within  the  framework  of  the  TransformAr  Project,  MEDSEA 

is 

dedicated  to enhancing the  use  of the  Coastal  Contract,  broadening 

stakeholder  engagement 

to  enrich 

the  Climate  Change  and 

Biodiversity Action Plan with diverse insights. 

DESCRIPTION  OF SUCCESS 

The 7,700 hectares of protected areas across the 11 municipalities of 

the Oristano coast today are managed as a unique ecosystem, thanks 

to the Coastal Contract. This  innovative governance tool goes beyond 

the  constraints  of municipal  borders,  bringing  together  the  private 

sector,  public  entities  and  the  local  community  in  a  collective 

commitment for the sustainable management of wetlands. 

To  support effective wetland management, the creation of the Local 

Wetland  Observatory  (LWO)  was pivotal.  This  observatory  serves  as 

an  essential  tool  for  monitoring  and  decision-making,  utilising 

scientific data as the cornerstone of this innovative approach. 

Research and  : 

Innovation 

! 

TransformAr 

#EUGreenDeal 

 
 
* HIGHLIGHTS 

• 

• 

Project  demonstrated  innovative  collaborative  governance  through  the  Coastal  Contract,  leveraging 
multi-level collaboration to address  both  environmental sustainability and  economic growth. 

Increased 
the 
awareness 
importance of wetlands strengthened 
identity  and 
the 

local  cultural 

of 

• 

• 

promoted  ature-based  solutions  for 

 n

climate  resilience. 

Creation  of 
the  Local  Wetland 
Observatory ensured  evidence-based 
decision-making,  with  scientific  data 

supporting  actions to meet the needs 
of ecosystems and  communities. 

LOCAL WETLAND 
OBSERVATORY 

local 

Project  improved  the  quality  of  life 
for 
by 
safeguarding  natural  resources  and 
promoting sustainable practices. 

communities 

COASTAL CONTRACT 

PARTICIPATORY 
MEETINGS 

IMPACT 

The  Coastal  Contract  establishes  shared  objectives 
for  wetlands  conservation  across  multiple 
stakeholders, thereby strengthening collaboration and  ensuring  a sustained  commitment for the future.  It 
preserves  biodiversity and  fosters  innovative economic  models  based  on  the  green  economy,  low carbon 
emissions  and  the  adequate  protection  and  enhancement  of natural  resources.  This  approach  not only 
facilitates but also  attracts local,  national and  international funds  for wetland  restoration. 

Read  more  about this success  story online 
Innovative governance tool to manage and  protect wetlands 

Visit the project website 
TransformAr 

©  European  Union, 2024 I Reuse  of this document is  allowed, provided  appropriate  credit is  given  and  any changes  are  indicated  (Creative 
Commons Attribution 4.0 International license).  For any use  or  reproduction  of elements that are not owned  by the  EU,  permission  may need  to  be 
sought directly from the  respective  right holders. All  images© European  Union, unless  otherwise  stated.  Images  source:© MicroOne, 
#305386384, 2020; Source:  adobestock.com. I ©  Alessio  Orru,  #  557342548, 2024; Source:  shutterstock.com I ©  TransformAr,  2024. 
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ISBN  978-92-68-20778-9 ISSN  2811-809X  doi  102777/9392724 Kl-01-24-022-EN-N