Development Policy Foundation

Development Policy Foundation Fundacja Polityki Rozwojowej

Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler is an Associated Region project under ULTFARMS – Circular Low Trophic Offshore Aqu...
15/06/2026

Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler is an Associated Region project under ULTFARMS – Circular Low Trophic Offshore Aquaculture in Wind Farms and Restoration of Marine Space, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme.

The project supports the integration of low-trophic aquaculture, such as seaweed and mussel farming, within offshore wind farm areas in the Polish Baltic Sea. By combining renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture, Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler aims to develop a practical roadmap for multi-use marine spaces, assess legal, environmental, technical, and economic feasibility, strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders, and promote nature-based solutions that enhance marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Over the coming months, activities will include feasibility assessments, environmental monitoring through marine sensors, stakeholder workshops, and collaborative planning processes to support the development of the Low-Trophic Aquaculture Roadmap. Building on expertise and lessons learned from the ULTFARMS initiative, the project will help optimize cultivation methods, support sustainable business models, foster cooperation between aquaculture and offshore wind sectors, and promote knowledge sharing across the region.

By bridging offshore renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture, Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler contributes to a cleaner Baltic Sea, stronger coastal communities, and a more resilient blue economy for Europe’s future.

Moldova and Ukraine are entering a decisive phase in their development and European integration while facing growing cli...
08/06/2026

Moldova and Ukraine are entering a decisive phase in their development and European integration while facing growing climate challenges and, in Ukraine’s case, the ongoing impacts of war. Flooding, droughts, erosion, and coastal risks increasingly threaten infrastructure, ecosystems, and local livelihoods, particularly in municipalities with limited technical and financial capacity to respond effectively.

Aligned with Moldova’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2020–2030 and Ukraine’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the project supports the municipalities of Cimișlia, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, and Odesa in strengthening climate resilience while advancing EU integration goals.

The project implemented under Central European Initiative - CEI Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP) 2025 aims to build local capacity to assess climate risks, develop adaptation strategies, and prepare climate projects that can attract EU and international funding. Drawing on European methodologies, including lessons from the CLIMAAX programme, supported by Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale and implemented by the Development Policy Foundation and ANCI Lazio, municipalities will receive expert mentoring, peer learning opportunities, and practical tools to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize solutions.

Over 12 months, the project will guide municipalities through the entire project development cycle, from climate risk mapping and strategy development to project incubation, fundraising, and implementation. Through the Bankability Lab, municipalities will transform adaptation priorities into investment-ready project concepts aligned with EU and international funding requirements, including opportunities under the Green Climate Fund, ENI CBC, and Horizon Europe.

The initiative focuses on practical outcomes by equipping local administrations with the skills and tools needed to conduct risk assessments, design adaptation measures, and prepare high-quality project proposals. Each municipality will develop at least one project concept addressing its most urgent climate challenges, from flooding and erosion to urban and coastal resilience.

The project also promotes regional cooperation by creating direct links between municipalities in Moldova, Ukraine, and EU Member States, fostering knowledge exchange and long-term partnerships. By strengthening fundraising capacity, supporting project incubation, and aligning local action with EU standard, the initiative helps turn climate risks into funded, actionable solutions that contribute to resilience, sustainability, and European integration.

Ambasciata d'Italia in Ucraina - Посольство Італії в Україні
Ambasciata d'Italia a Chisinau

Ghost nets, lost or abandoned fishing nets, are one of the most persistent and dangerous forms of marine pollution. Invi...
01/06/2026

Ghost nets, lost or abandoned fishing nets, are one of the most persistent and dangerous forms of marine pollution. Invisible beneath the surface, they continue trapping marine life for decades while slowly breaking down into microplastics that threaten ecosystems and human health.

In Iskenderun Bay, Türkiye, the SeaClear2.0 – Ghost Nets Hunter project is taking action.

During its first implementation phase, the project brought together fishermen, coastal guards, environmental experts, and local authorities, building a powerful, cross-sector network to protect the bay. A launch workshop in Samandağ (March 2025) helped map ghost net hotspots, exchange local knowledge, and establish a shared strategy for action.

A major breakthrough came through collaboration with DegzRobotics. A customized underwater drone was developed, successfully field-tested in October 2025, and is now fully operational, detecting and documenting ghost nets while collecting images and GPS data to build a live database of underwater pollution hotspots.

At the same time, onshore efforts revealed the scale of the problem. During a beach clean-up in Çevlik (September 2025), over 80% of collected waste was plastic, a stark reminder that marine pollution is both visible and hidden.

But we’re not stopping at detection. We’re closing the loop.

Through our SeaClean upcycling workshop, recovered ghost nets are transformed into plastic interceptors, innovative tools designed to stop even more plastic from entering rivers and seas. This approach connects the full cycle in action: from mapping and detection, to responsible low-impact recovery in sensitive habitats, and finally to repurposing waste into practical solutions.

What was once deadly marine debris is now part of the solution.

Looking ahead, the project will continue expanding underwater mapping efforts, engaging more local volunteers, and scaling up recycling into useful products such as agricultural nets, turning marine waste into local economic value.

Because Samandağ is more than a coastline, it’s a critical “last line of defense” before waste reaches the Mediterranean, and a home to sea turtles and over 300 migratory bird species.

Tangier’s coastline, where industry, urban growth, and the Mediterranean meet, is under pressure from untreated discharg...
26/05/2026

Tangier’s coastline, where industry, urban growth, and the Mediterranean meet, is under pressure from untreated discharges and runoff. In this semi-confined zone, pollutants accumulate without real-time monitoring, posing risks to ecosystems, fisheries, and public health.

This project introduces a real-time water quality monitoring system, tracking pollutants like heavy metals and PFAS. Building on the RHE-MEDiation approach tested in Turkey, it delivers continuous data for faster, evidence-based decisions and broader Mediterranean relevance.

RHE-MEDiation combines advanced monitoring with microalgae-based treatment systems integrated into existing infrastructure, enhancing the removal of heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS, and other persistent pollutants. Mobile and fixed sensors will track contamination in real time, with data feeding into EMODnet and contributing to the Digital Twin of the Ocean.

The project strengthens institutional capacity and delivers a roadmap for scale-up, enabling replication in other Moroccan coastal zones such as Nador, Ksar El Kebir, and Tetouan. While no direct remediation occurs yet, baseline data will guide future interventions, including improved treatment systems and investments like the GREEN DUNE photobioreactor, while clarifying that such technologies are not part of this 9-month pilot but remain within long-term feasibility planning.

The approach focuses on institutional anchoring, embedding monitoring systems and data use into governance structures. It strengthens environmental enforcement, supports long-term planning, and contributes to national strategies, positioning Tangier as a model for evidence-based marine pollution management.

Aligned with the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters,” the project advances a shift from reactive to proactive water governance, laying the foundation for scalable, data-driven solutions across Morocco and the Mediterranean.

Odesa, a historic Black Sea port and key cultural and economic hub in southern Ukraine, has faced severe impacts since t...
18/05/2026

Odesa, a historic Black Sea port and key cultural and economic hub in southern Ukraine, has faced severe impacts since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, including missile strikes, infrastructure damage, and disrupted port operations, highlighting the fragility of critical systems and the urgent need to integrate energy security and climate resilience into recovery.

The ecological toll is profound. Coastal and marine ecosystems have been hit by chemical and fuel spills, munition pollution, and acoustic disturbances causing mass dolphin deaths, bird displacement, and long-term contamination of coastlines and seabeds. Wetlands and coastal buffers have been degraded, while sea mines and military activity continue to threaten biodiversity. At the same time, restricted access has created limited “accidental refuges” where some ecosystems show temporary recovery.

Urban systems are also under strain. Repeated air strikes have damaged energy infrastructure, homes, and public services, increasing vulnerability, especially amid rising heat stress and reduced green cover.

Climate risks are accelerating, with heatwaves, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion already affecting daily life. Without climate-resilient recovery, future vulnerabilities will only deepen.

The project Coastal and Urban Climate Resilience for Post-War Recovery in Odesa supports this transition by co-developing a Climate Resilience Strategy, Action Plan, and Investment Roadmap for coastal and urban adaptation.

Implemented by the Grant Office Odesa 5T with DPF support, and backed by the EU-funded Pathways2Resilience (P2R), the initiative strengthens local resilience and aligns with Ukraine’s National Adaptation Strategy 2030 and EU standards.

Recovery is not just about reconstruction, it’s about transformation.

The CLEAN Port Said project advances evidence-based water pollution management in Egypt, focusing on the Port Said, Lake...
08/05/2026

The CLEAN Port Said project advances evidence-based water pollution management in Egypt, focusing on the Port Said, Lake Manzala interface. It is implemented in the coastal zone of Port Said, at the interface between Lake Manzala and the Mediterranean Sea, near the Suez Canal.

The northern coastal lakes of Egypt: Manzala, Edku, Burullus, Mariout, and Bardawil are vital for aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture, covering approx. 6% of non-desert land. Lake Manzala, the largest, is essential for fisheries and livelihoods but heavily impacted by untreated agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater. Heavy metals accumulate in bottom sediments, acting as sinks but also potential sources of recontamination. Limited water circulation and high sediment loads further increase the persistence of pollution.

Ongoing national restoration efforts (as of 2026) include dredging, new channels, and improved water management to enhance water quality, circulation, and fish production. Works include dredging near Boghaz Muthalath Al-Deeba, creation of radial channels to strengthen sea-lake exchange (e.g., El-Gamil outlet), and operation of the Bahr Al-Baqar wastewater treatment plant (since 2021) to reduce pollutant inflows.

Part of the EU-funded RHE-MEDiation Project and supporting the Institute of National Planning, CLEAN Port Said applies a data-driven approach: water and sediment sampling, accredited pollutant analysis (heavy metals and organic contaminants), microalgae-based remediation feasibility, and stakeholder engagement. It delivers a validated pollution baseline, identifies hotspots, and develops a replication roadmap. The selected testing site, an inlet connecting the lake to the Mediterranean, captures combined pollution pressures, making it a representative hotspot for remediation assessment.

By bringing together public authorities, experts, and local stakeholders through the “Clean Port Said” platform, the project strengthens collaboration and supports sustainable, long-term environmental planning.

Aligned with EU best practices, the project enhances environmental governance, strengthens monitoring capacity, and supports scalable nature-based solutions for Egypt and the Mediterranean.

The project in the village of Caplani is creating new opportunities by strengthening local craftsmanship and shared expe...
05/05/2026

The project in the village of Caplani is creating new opportunities by strengthening local craftsmanship and shared experiences. Implemented with Wasilków and supported by Polish Aid, residents are gaining skills in pottery, weaving, and culinary arts that develop unique products and tourism experiences.

The initiative also brings people together through a multimedia workshop and an open-air cinema, opening space for creativity, learning, and cultural exchange.

Empowering local talent while strengthening community bonds.

In the village of Caplani, the natural pools of Porțile Raiului (La Cișmea) are becoming a centerpiece for sustainable t...
05/05/2026

In the village of Caplani, the natural pools of Porțile Raiului (La Cișmea) are becoming a centerpiece for sustainable tourism and community life.

The Development Policy Foundation, together with Wasilków and Caplani municipality, is implementing a two-year project to revitalize this unique site, known for its spring-fed pools and tranquil landscape, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the Polish Aid program.

The initiative focuses on modern infrastructure, including restrooms, showers, and changing facilities, as well as renewable energy solutions like solar panels. At the same time, nature remains at the heart of the project, with natural spring areas and drought-resistant plants enhancing biodiversity and protecting the ecosystem.

Where nature is protected, enhanced, and shared with the community.

As part of the “Climate-Resilient Tarsus” project, implemented under the European Union Climate Change Grant Program, Ta...
23/04/2026

As part of the “Climate-Resilient Tarsus” project, implemented under the European Union Climate Change Grant Program, Tarsus Municipality hosted a delegation from Municipality of Warka between April 9-12, 2026.

During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed, technical meetings were held, and on-site inspections of green areas were conducted to evaluate climate-resilient practices.

A key highlight was the identification of a focal site for a stormwater garden, a low-lying, sloped area that regularly floods and naturally accumulates water, making it ideal for a nature-based solution that combines stormwater management with public green space.

Thanks to Tarsus’s Mediterranean climate, fertile soils, and strong agricultural base, the site is well-suited for planting native and climate-adapted species, including those with natural mosquito-repellent properties. Plants such as aromatic herbs and essential oil–producing species can thrive in these conditions, supporting biodiversity while enhancing user comfort in public spaces.

The planned site will help reduce flooding, curb erosion, enhance biodiversity with locally available plants, and create accessible greenery in an area lacking parks, while integrating natural mosquito-repellent vegetation as part of a multifunctional landscape design.

As the commercial and industrial center of Mersin, Tarsus continues to highlight agriculture as a key economic sector, improving productivity through modern and sustainable practices.

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