Projects (international)

In addition to the Blue Deal, we are also carrying out various other projects within and outside Europe. We are involved in the following:

  • Integrated water management
  • International catchment management
  • Strengthening water authorities and municipalities
  • Improving treatment plants
  • Urban drainage and flood prevention
  • Climate adaptation and combating climate change

Current projects 

Interreg Blue Transition 

Blue Transition is a collaboration between 23 partners and 6 countries within the North Sea region. We are responding to climate change with various pilot projects.

Noorderzijlvest coordinates two Interreg Blue Transition pilots in the Drents Plateau and the northern coastal strip. We focus on drought, flooding, and water quality. 

There are another two pilots taking place in the Netherlands, managed by other water authorities. Twelve other pilots are carried out in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France, and Germany. The Interreg Blue Transition programme runs from 2023 to 2026. 

Distender.EU Horizon

DISTENDER is an EU-funded programme that develops strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt our society to these effects. These plans are developed in collaboration with scientists, businesses, governments, policymakers, and citizens, so that everyone can contribute to better solutions.

Together with Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority contributes to developing climate-adaptation strategies for the northeast of the Netherlands through DISTENDER.

Completed projects

The following are the completed international projects:

TOPSOIL (2015–2022)

An EU collaboration supported by the Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme. We studied how topsoil can be best used to solve the water challenges of today and tomorrow. With this study, we contributed to a climate-proof North Sea region. 

More information: TOPSOIL

Building with Nature (2017–2021)

Climate change poses the greatest challenge to the North Sea region. Coasts are threatened by storm surges. Heavy rainfall causes rivers and lakes to flood more quickly. Traditionally, we protect ourselves with dykes and dams, but there are more sustainable and effective ways. For example, by working with nature. This was the starting point for the Interreg BV North Sea Region project 'Building With Nature'.

More information about the role of Noorderzijlvest Building with Nature project and the Building with Nature project

Living North Sea (2009–2012)

The Living North Sea project was part of the Interreg IVB North Sea Programme and focused on improving the management of fish migration. Many migratory fish migrate between the North Sea and freshwater areas. Many of these fish species are endangered. Noorderzijlvest worked in the Oostervoortse Diep, among other places, on sustainable solutions to better protect these species.

More information: Improving liveability | Interreg North Sea

Other projects that ended long ago

  • Territories of Rivers Action Plans (2012-2014): Together with nine European partners, work was carried out on the management of rivers and their surroundings, with the aim of protecting the water and the cultural heritage. More information: TRAP Interreg IVC.
  • SAWA (2010 - 2014): High water, alert systems, and resilience. Part of the Interreg North Sea III program.
  • IMPREX (2015-2019): Through the Top Consortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) Water Technology, a correlation study was conducted into high outdoor water levels and heavy rainfall in the management area. More information: IMPREX.