References

Original Reference: GRIN (Promoting urban integration of GReen INfrastructure to improve climate governance in cities)

Brief Summary: Describes integrated climate action and environmental projects. PoliRuralPlus should adopt similar integrated approaches in RAPs to address climate resilience and sustainable environmental management across rural-urban settings.

URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/LIFE17 GIE/IT/000660

Original Reference: SCALLUVIA (Habitat Restoration of alluvial forests and creeks within the flood controlled Scheldt estuary site Kruibeke-Bazel-Rupelmonde)

Brief Summary: Focuses on the restoration of natural habitats within flood control areas. Implications: Nature-based solutions can enhance rural resilience and biodiversity. Recommendations: Implement nature-based solutions in RAPs to enhance ecological connectivity between rural and urban areas​.

URL: [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/LIFE12 NAT/BE/000596](https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/LIFE12 NAT/BE/000596)

Original Reference: SIMETORES (Urban Adaptation And Community Learning For A Resilient Simeto Valley)

Brief Summary: Focuses on climate adaptation strategies in rural and urban areas. Implications: Climate resilience is essential for sustainable rural-urban development. Recommendations: Incorporate climate adaptation measures in RAPs to enhance rural-urban resilience to environmental changes.

URL: [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/LIFE17 CCA/IT/000117](https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/LIFE17 CCA/IT/000117)

Original Reference: ASTI (Forecasting System for Urban Heat Island Effect)

Brief Summary: Explores how climate change adaptation strategies can be applied to rural development. Suggests that PoliRuralPlus adopt climate adaptation strategies to mitigate risks in rural-urban regions.

URL: LIFEASTI

Original Reference: MOORLIFE (Moor Life 2020)

Brief Summary: Focuses on moorland restoration for sustainable rural development. PoliRuralPlus should incorporate similar conservation projects in RAPs to promote biodiversity and ecological sustainability.

URL: https://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/our-work/our-projects/moorlife/moorlife-project-partners

Original Reference: NAIAD (Nature Insurance Value: Assessment & Demonstration)

Brief Summary: Focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS) to manage water risks in rural and urban settings. PoliRuralPlus should integrate NBS to enhance climate resilience and water management across rural-urban landscapes​(

URL: https://naiad2020.eu/

Original Reference: NATURAL COURSE (Integrated water management approach to delivery of the North West England River basin management plan)

Brief Summary: This project focuses on integrated water management to improve water quality and resilience. PoliRuralPlus can adopt similar practices to enhance environmental sustainability and flood resilience in rural-urban regions.

URL: https://naturalcourse.co.uk/

Original Reference: NATURE4CITIES (Nature Based Solutions for re-naturing cities: knowledge diffusion and decision support platform through new collaborative models)

Brief Summary: Focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS) for sustainable urban development. PoliRuralPlus should emphasize NBS to promote biodiversity, improve environmental health, and enhance rural-urban connectivity.

URL: https://nature4cities.eu/

Original Reference: IMAGINE (Integrative Management of Green Infrastructures Multifunctionality, Ecosystem integrity and Ecosystem Services: From assessment to regulation in socioecological systems)

Brief Summary: This project focuses on implementing circular economy approaches to water and waste management, emphasizing integrated solutions that can bridge rural and urban needs. Implications: Circular economy practices are vital for sustainable rural-urban linkages, especially in water and waste management. Recommendations: RAPs should prioritize circular economy principles, fostering shared responsibility between urban and rural regions in water and waste management, creating mutual benefits through resource efficiency.

URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/776681

Original Reference: OPENNESS (Operationalization of natural capital and ecosystem services)

Brief Summary: Focuses on operationalizing ecosystem services to improve decision-making and natural capital management. Implications: Highlights the importance of ecosystems for rural development. Recommendations: Integrate ecosystem service valuation into regional action plans (RAPs), focusing on sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation for rural-urban balance .

URL: https://openness-project.eu/

Original Reference: OPERANDUM (OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage environmental risks)

Brief Summary: Aims to develop nature-based solutions (NBS) for reducing environmental risks. Implications: Nature-based solutions can mitigate risks and enhance rural resilience. Recommendations: Incorporate NBS into RAPs for flood management, erosion control, and climate adaptation .

URL: https://www.operandum-project.eu/

Original Reference: RENATURE (Promoting Research Excellence in NAture-based soluTions for innovation, sustainable economic growth and human well-being in Malta)

Brief Summary: Focuses on the role of nature-based solutions (NBS) in reducing climate vulnerability. Recommendations: RAPs should adopt NBS to improve climate resilience in rural-urban regions, ensuring environmental sustainability while reducing risks from natural disasters.

URL: https://www.operandum-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/D6.1_NBS_vulnerability_risk_assessment.pdf

Original Reference: RISES-AM (Responses to coastal climate change: Innovative Strategies for high End Scenarios - Adaptation and Mitigation)

Brief Summary: Focuses on operationalizing ecosystem services in decision-making. Implications: Supports RAPs in aligning ecological sustainability with urban and rural planning. Recommendations: Foster RAP strategies that use nature-based solutions (NBS) for rural-urban resilience​.

URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/603396

Original Reference: OPERAS (Operational Potential of Ecosystem Research Applications)

Brief Summary: Focuses on advancing ecosystem services science and policy. Implications: Ecosystem services should guide regional planning. Recommendations: Promote cross-sectoral cooperation in RAPs to better integrate natural capital and ecosystem services .

URL: https://operas-project.eu/

Original Reference: PATHWAYS (Transition pathways to sustainable low carbon societies)

Brief Summary: Focuses on pathways to sustainability in rural development through innovative solutions. Implications: Innovation is key to achieving sustainable rural-urban linkages. Recommendations: Prioritize innovation-driven strategies in RAPs, leveraging technology, sustainable practices, and community involvement to foster long-term resilience.

URL: https://www.pathways-project.eu/

Original Reference: RESCUE (River flood Embankments Subject to Climate change: Understanding Effects of future floods and novel ‘low-carbon’ adaptation measures)

Brief Summary: PEARL focuses on addressing flood risks in coastal areas through innovative flood management strategies. Recommendations: Rural-urban action plans should incorporate risk management strategies, emphasizing flood resilience through better infrastructure and early warning systems.

URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/603663

Original Reference: PEARL (Preparing for Extreme And Rare events in coastaL regions)

Brief Summary: Focuses on preparing for extreme and rare events in coastal regions. Implications: Managing rare events is crucial for maintaining resilient rural-urban connections. Recommendations: RAPs should integrate disaster preparedness strategies and collaborations between rural and urban communities for enhanced resilience.

URL: https://www.pearl-fp7.eu/

Original Reference: PEGASUS (Stimulating long-lasting improvements in the delivery of social, economic and environmental benefits from PEARL agricultural and forest land)

Brief Summary: Focuses on stimulating improvements in the delivery of public goods and ecosystem services from agriculture and forestry. Implications: Highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices for rural-urban regions. Recommendations: Use these insights in RAPs to support multifunctional agriculture and forestry, enhancing ecosystem services while maintaining economic viability.

URL: https://pegasus.ieep.eu/

Original Reference: POWER (Political and sOcial awareness on Water EnviRonmental challenges)

Brief Summary: Focuses on water management in rural-urban areas. Recommendations: Implement sustainable water management solutions in RAPs that involve rural and urban regions, leveraging shared water resources and protecting against environmental risks.

URL: https://www.power-h2020.eu/

Original Reference: PREPARED (Prepared Enabling Change)

Brief Summary: Focuses on preparedness for water-related challenges in rural-urban contexts. Recommendations: RAPs should prioritize integrated water management strategies that promote cooperation between rural and urban stakeholders in addressing flood risks, water scarcity, and pollution.

URL: https://www.prepared-fp7.eu/