A new project named DIWA is focused on developing a cross-border drought approach. Various German and Dutch public authorities are working together in the programme-wide steering committee of Interreg Germany-Netherlands. The escalating threat of drought, driven by climate change, affects both countries and does not recognize borders. The dry summers of recent years demonstrate the critical need for cooperation.
The project focuses on the border region between the Netherlands and Germany in the Interreg program area. The River Vecht serves as a prime example: fed by precipitation and runoff originating in Münsterland, Germany, it flows towards Zwartewater in the Province of Overijssel, providing a clear illustration of a cross-border river basin.
Drought
The effectiveness of measures implemented on one side of the border is enhanced when they are equally addressed on the other side. Currently, there is minimal cross-border cooperation to address drought. While the need is evident, there are still many challenges that complicate cooperation. These challenges are reflected, among other things, in the lack of a national or European drought policy. At present, there is no central base for cooperation and the exchange of drought-related information is constrained by the use of varying data, models, and assessment methods.
The DIWA project partners are working together to foster greater coordination between public authorities and area managers in the Netherlands and Germany. To this end, a guideline will be developed incorporating recommendations regarding the governance structure, data from monitoring networks, developed scenarios and strategies, and results from area pilots.
Area pilots
The area pilots are notably concrete. For instance, water retention measures were implemented along the Coevorden-Piccardie Canal, leading to improved water retention in the surrounding landscape. The Geele Beek cross-border river basin preserves water availability and enhances ecological water quality. A key aim in the project is to foster knowledge sharing between Dutch and German stakeholders.
Project financing
The project’s total budget of €6,531,101.48 is available for use until the end of 2027. Interreg funding is mainly provided from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). DIWA’s approval means that €2,600,244.18 from this fund will be used for German-Dutch cooperation. In addition, the Interreg partners are contributing €1,122,920.28 in co-financing. The partners comprise German ministries and Dutch provinces, including the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland on the Dutch side and, on the German side, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klima und Energie NRW) and the Ministry for Federal and European Affairs of the State of Lower Saxony (Niedersächsische Ministerium für Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten). As regional co-financier, the joint municipality of Emlichheim (Samtgemeinde Emlichheim) will provide €200,000.00. The project partners are also providing €2,607,937.02 from their own resources.
The ten partners in the DIWA project are Waterschap Vechtstromen (lead partner), Waterschap Rijn en Ijssel, Province of Gelderland, University of Twente, Kreis Borken, Kreis Steinfurt, Landkreis Emsland, Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim, Vechteverband and EUREGIO.
