The Supported by Nature project

 - Nature-based Solutions for a Sustainable Baltic Sea

About the Supported by Nature project

Supported by Nature is an international EU Interreg project aimed at promoting the use of nature-based solutions in the Baltic Sea region. The project runs from 2023 to 2026 and is a collaboration between UNESCO biosphere reserves from six countries around the Baltic Sea. Through collaboration between higher education and research institutions and local public authorities, the project partners collectively contribute a high level of expertise and extensive experience in collaborative processes.

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The overall aim is to enhance understanding of nature-based solutions and their contribution to improving environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea, with a focus on multifunctional wetlands, coastal aquatic habitats and river restoration. The long-term aim is that this increased knowledge will lead to more frequent and more effective use of nature-based solutions in planning processes and in the management of both land and marine areas.

Learning sites around the Baltic Sea

As part of Supported by Nature, a total of 17 learning centres have been established across the six countries around the Baltic Sea, to where nature-based solutions are demonstrated and further developed in practice. The focus is particularly on multifunctional wetlands, the restoration of watercourses and coastal marine habitats – initiatives that both benefit biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of landscapes to climate change.

The project comprises two key methods:

  • Learning through practice: establishing nature-based learning sites through collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches
  • Learning through experience: gaining a better understanding of nature-based solutions through practical activities at the learning sites

Vordingborg Municipality and the Møn UNESCO Biosphere Reserve are participating in the project with a particular focus on coastal aquatic habitats and are contributing two learning sites within the biosphere reserve: the restoration of a local stone reef in the coastal waters and the establishment of fish nurseries in harbour environment. The development of the learning sites is carried out in close collaboration with local stakeholders, and the sites will provide a framework for activities and outreach aimed at strengthening local understanding of how nature itself can be part of the solution to environmental and climate challenges.

What is a nature-based solution?

Nature-based Solutions are multifunctional and cost-effective measures that tackle environmental problems and climate change using nature’s own tools. They contribute to protecting and enhancing ecosystems on land and in water, thereby benefiting both nature and people.

Nature-based solutions contribute to overcome specific challenges whilst offering additional benefits. For example, restoring a river can reduce nutrients in the water and prevent flooding and pollution, thereby helping to increase biodiversity, secure water supplies and promote fishing, recreation and tourism.

Why do we need nature-based solutions?

The Baltic Sea region is of great natural and cultural value and is of strategic importance to the economy and to cooperation between the countries in the region and beyond. However, the Baltic Sea faces environmental challenges and is one of the most polluted and heavily trafficked water areas in the world. The Baltic Sea’s unique characteristics make it extremely sensitive and vulnerable.

Almost 90 million people live in the catchment area, so the way we live and operate has a profound impact on the state of the Baltic Sea.

More about the project

The multi-stakeholder approach

In this project, Vordingborg Municipality employs a multi-stakeholder approach, in which nature-based solutions are developed in collaboration with research partners, local nature and leisure organisations, and volunteers. Together, we work on establishing and promoting stone reefs and fish nurseries to enhance biodiversity in the waters around Møn.

Through dialogue, workshops and joint development processes, we develop solutions that both benefit nature and create value for the local community. This broad involvement ensures that the initiatives are based on both specialist knowledge and local experience, and are therefore firmly rooted in the area.

The partners are involved in the establishment, monitoring and dissemination of the project’s activities. Researchers contribute with professional expertise, whilst local organisations and volunteers bring practical experience and insight into local conditions. Together, we monitor developments on the reef and work on new methods for documenting underwater life.

By bringing together different perspectives, the project creates a strong foundation for learning, knowledge-sharing and the development of solutions that can contribute to a richer marine environment and engage the local community.

In the Møn UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the project is being carried out in collaboration in between:

    • Vordingborg Municipality – acts as project manager, with responsibility for planning, coordination and implementation. The municipality carries out regulatory tasks, ensures cooperation between partners and is responsible for both internal and external communication regarding the project.
    • Aarhus University – contributes research-based knowledge and expert advice on the marine environment, biodiversity and the effects of nature restoration. The university has developed and tested a new AI-based tool for the automatic image recognition of species on stone reefs, trialled in a citizen science format in collaboration with Møn Sportsdykkerklub, where divers have contributed images and observations from Mads Rev.
    • The Møn Stenrev Association – a local voluntary organisation that contributes expertise on marine habitats and biodiversity around Møn and South Zealand, and shares knowledge about coastal marine nature, diving and snorkelling routes, as well as information activities for local residents and other interested parties.
    • Møn Sports Diving Club – a local voluntary organisation that contributes to the surveys of the seabed and the ongoing monitoring of Mads Rev. The club contributes practical diving experience and local knowledge of the area.
    • Møn Angling Association – contributes local knowledge about fish stocks, marine environment and fishing around Møn. The association helps to qualify the project’s initiatives aimed at creating good habitats for fish.
    • The Vordingborg branch of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation – is providing underwater drone footage from the project area at Mads Rev. The footage is being used to document the condition of the seabed and to raise awareness of life beneath the sea’s surface.
    • The Klintholm Harbour Water Club – a local association that has helped set up Biohuts (fish nurseries) in Klintholm Harbour. The association plays an important role in the practical implementation of the project and in fostering local engagement.
    • The Baltic Blue Foundation – works to raise awareness of the project’s nature restoration initiatives, including stone reefs and Biohuts. The Foundation develops educational programmes for school classes, enabling children and young people to gain an understanding of marine ecosystems and how nature-based solutions can improve the marine environment.

The international collaboration

The project is a joint initiative of Biosphere for Baltic, a network of UNESCO biosphere reserves around the Baltic Sea. Biosphere reserves are model areas for sustainable development, designated by UNESCO as examples of sustainable development. With the Blekinge Archipelago Biosphere Reserve as the lead partner, the partners from the six countries in the network are collaborating and sharing knowledge and experience.

Partners in the international collaboration:
 
Sweden
 - Kristanstads Vattenrike (Kristanstad Municipality)
 - Marine Education Center
 - Biosfärområde Nedre Dalälven
 - Biosfæreområde Blekinge Skærgård (Ronneby Kommune) - Lead Partner
Poland
 - Slowinski Nationalpark
Germany
 - Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve
Finland
 - Turku University of Applied Sciences
 - Skärgårdshavets Biosfärområde
Estonia
 - Estonian University of Life Sciences
 - West Estonian Archipelago
Denmark
 - Møn UNESCO Biosphere (Vordingborg Municipality)
Kort over Østersøområdet med markering af biosfæreområder i projektet

Facts about the Supported by Nature project

Duration:    November 2023 - October 2026

Total budget:   4,47 millioner €

EU funding:    3,58 millioner €

Supported by Nature is funded by the EU’s Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme

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