Project News
- Project News
February 4, 2026
AQUAEXCEL: Celebrating 14 Years of Collaboration
The conclusion of the AQUAEXCEL3.0 project in October 2025 marks not just the end of a major European initiative, but the culmination of 14 years of continuous collaboration, scientific progress, and shared ambition within the aquaculture community. Aquaculture plays a vital role in feeding Europe and the world, providing healthy food, supporting coastal communities, creating jobs, and easing pressure on wild fish stocks. Ensuring that this sector grows sustainably requires innovative science, modern tools, and strong cooperation, needs that the AQUAEXCEL projects were designed to meet. A 14-Year Journey of Collaboration Since the first project launched, AQUAEXCEL, followed by AQUAEXCEL2020 and AQUAEXCEL3.0, one of the most extensive and effective collaborative networks in European aquaculture research has been built. The projects’ shared vision was both ambitious and transformative: to make it possible for any aquaculture researcher, no matter where they work, to access Europe’s best facilities, expertise, and technologies. By opening world-class research infrastructures to external users and by connecting scientists, industry partners, and communities, the projects helped strengthen the European Research Area and supported the development of a more innovative, sustainable aquaculture sector. Turning this vision into reality required a culture of cooperation that grew stronger with each phase of the project series. Over the years, AQUAEXCEL initiatives worked to harmonise standards across institutions, promote best practices, and encourage collaboration between disciplines and countries. Networking activities brought people together, while joint research efforts advanced knowledge in critical areas such as ethical and welfare-oriented farming, real-time biotelemetry, virtual laboratory tools, microbiome monitoring, and techniques for emerging and alternative species. These developments provided researchers and industry with new ways to conduct experiments, improve fish welfare, and accelerate innovation. Reflecting on AQUAEXCEL’s Impacts The impact of these efforts is evident in the achievements delivered throughout the AQUAEXCEL projects. More than 360 fully funded Transnational Access (TNA) projects allowed researchers from across Europe and beyond to work inside 40 unique aquaculture facilities. These infrastructures, ranging from disease challenge units to systems designed for testing sustainable production methods, benefitted from broader usage, strengthened services, and increased relevance to industry needs. Alongside this, within AQUAEXCEL3.0, the project’s training activities reached nearly 800 participants, equipping them with advanced skills and knowledge that will continue to support the sector long after the project ends. Mobility grants enabled almost 30 aquaculture technicians to spend time inside partner laboratories, creating new professional links and strengthening technical expertise across institutions. The scientific outputs generated through AQUAEXCEL3.0 also extend well beyond academic research. By combining transnational access, networking, and focused joint research, the project delivered practical solutions that can be applied directly by farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. Whether improving welfare standards, supporting new technologies, or offering insights into sustainable farming practices, the project’s results contribute meaningful, tangible value to the aquaculture sector. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation has been a key contributor to the success and visibility of AQUAEXCEL3.0. We played a central role in communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement, helping to translate complex scientific outputs into accessible, practical information for policy makers, industry partners, and the wider public. Our work also ensured that the knowledge generated throughout the project reached the people and sectors who could benefit from it most. This knowledge transfer was delivered through substantial contributions to Work Package 2 (WP2). Our expertise in knowledge management and impact strategy helped showcase the value of the project’s research results, reinforce connections between science and industry, and support the long-term uptake of new tools, methods, and innovations developed throughout the project. By driving awareness, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring that AQUAEXCEL3.0’s achievements were widely shared, ERINN Innovation contributed significantly to the project’s lasting impact and legacy. This work and commitment has led to the development of the project’s Success Stories. This section serves as a testament to the impact of the Transnational Access program and the research activities that were facilitated by the project, showcasing the project’s transformative influence on the aquaculture landscape. Reflecting on her time with the project, ERINN Innovation Project Officer Karla Corrales said: “It has been deeply inspiring to drive the knowledge transfer activities within AQUAEXCEL3.0. Engaging directly with the researchers and compiling their Success Stories has given us a clear view of how the project’s resources have helped them significantly advance their research. Hearing these partners present their achievements firsthand at our final meeting truly proved the impact of the project.” The Project’s Legacy Although AQUAEXCEL3.0 concluded in 2025, the legacy of the entire AQUAEXCEL programme will continue. Over 14 years, the projects built a deeply connected European aquaculture community equipped with advanced tools, shared expertise, and strong partnerships. These foundations will support new discoveries and collaborations for years to come, ensuring that aquaculture remains innovative, resilient, and sustainable. Ultimately, the AQUAEXCEL journey has shown what is possible when researchers, industry, and communities work together. By opening access, sharing knowledge, and encouraging cooperation across borders and disciplines, the projects have helped strengthen Europe’s capacity to produce healthy food, support thriving coastal regions, and building a sustainable aquaculture sector for the future. Want to find out more about our services? Explore how ERINN Innovation can support your project.
- Project News
January 12, 2026
Trees4Adapt to Address Climate and Biodiversity Risks
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing challenges of our time. These crises are deeply interconnected, creating complex risks that threaten ecosystems, human wellbeing, and the economy. Yet, current decision-making and land-use planning often fail to account for these interdependencies, limiting the effectiveness of adaptation strategies. To address this gap, the European Union has launched Trees4Adapt – Addressing complex risks from climate change and biodiversity loss across systems and scales: Leveraging the potential of tree-based solutions for adaptation in Europe, a Horizon Europe project under the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change. Starting in October 2025 and running for four years, Trees4Adapt brings together 12 partners from across Europe, coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), with a budget of €4 million. The project aims to improve understanding of climate–biodiversity risks and support decision-makers in designing and implementing tree-based solutions that build resilience, restore biodiversity, and avoid maladaptation. “Mitigation will not help us fast enough – the time is for adaptation,” said Prisca Haemers, Policy Officer for the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change, during the project’s kick-off meeting. “Projects like Trees4Adapt are essential to accelerate Europe’s resilience and must work together through the Mission networks to maximise impact.” Trees4Adapt combines cutting-edge research with practical solutions. It uses long-standing European research platforms to study how tree species and mixtures deliver multiple benefits, including buffering microclimates and strengthening ecosystems. The project will also assess the economic viability of tree-based solutions through bioeconomic and spatial modelling, creating scenarios that show how different decisions could shape future landscapes. To ground this work in reality, Trees4Adapt draws on three case studies. In Finland’s boreal forests, researchers are building on a unique 26-year-old tree diversity experiment to see how adding species diversity can improve resilience in monoculture landscapes. In Germany, the focus is on agroforestry networks and how integrating trees into farming systems can boost biodiversity and support farmers. In Portugal, the case study examines Mediterranean landscapes recovering from wildfires, investigating whether greater tree diversity can slow fire spread and accelerate recovery. From the start, Trees4Adapt works hand-in-hand with local stakeholders and EU-level actors to co-create solutions that are practical and ready for real-world application. The project kicked off with a two-day meeting in Helsinki in November, where partners came together to set priorities and explore strategies for impact. The sessions were lively and forward-looking, featuring opportunities to connect with related projects and discuss case studies, modelling approaches, and stakeholder engagement plans. Partners also embraced Finnish traditions with a ferry ride to the historic Suomenlinna fortress and a sauna evening, moments that strengthened connections and set the tone for a partnership built on trust and shared goals. ERINN Innovation leads the dissemination and communication activities within Work Package 5 of Trees4Adapt. The team ensures the project’s visibility and impact by developing strategic messaging, managing dissemination channels, and helping project outputs reach relevant audiences across Europe. “Trees4Adapt is a very promising project. It brings together highly skilled and motivated people with a shared goal: adapting to climate change while protecting forests and biodiversity, essential to our world. The project begins with lots of optimism and great ideas, giving me hope that we can achieve meaningful change!” said ERINN Innovation Project Officer Mathilde Vidal, Project Communications for Trees4Adapt. Over the next four years, Trees4Adapt will turn research into action, providing guidance and tools to help communities and policymakers make informed choices. These results will feed directly into EU policies and investment plans, ensuring that Europe is better prepared for climate change while safeguarding biodiversity. ERINN Innovation is currently supporting 24 active European projects. We want to support our projects to have maximum impact to society. Discover our portfolio of EU-funded projects.
- Project News
October 31, 2025
EmpowerUs Project Comes to Successful End
After three years of collaboration, creativity, and coastal innovation, the Horizon Europe EmpowerUs project reached its successful conclusion in September 2025 — but its impact is only beginning. Working hand in hand with coastal communities across Europe, the project has helped local changemakers address the pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges shaping their shores. About The Project The project focused on enhancing sustainable, inclusive and resilient coastal development, incorporating key principles like co-creation, inclusive transition mechanisms and ‘Leaving No One Behind’ to develop and implement local pilot initiatives in six Transition Coastal Labs (TCLs) across Europe. The TCLs are located in: Bulgaria: Burgas Cyprus: Eastern Limassol Region Finland: Åland Islands Ireland: Connemara and the Aran Islands Norway: Træna Spain: Cap de Creus The six pilot initiatives were co-designed based on the identified challenges and needs of the local communities. Coordinated by both an Academic Lead and Local Host partner, each pilot aimed to enhance the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the respective TCL. In addition to the pilot initiatives, the project has produced a number of key results, including a Handbook of Inclusive Methodologies, a Transition Roadmap, various policy briefs and academic papers, among others. These results will provide a variety of stakeholders (from local communities to policymakers at the EU level) with key insights and inspiration to support and design similar coastal initiatives in the future. Discover the full suite of results and resources on the EmpowerUs website. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation played a pivotal role in the project’s success, leading the communication, dissemination, exploitation, and knowledge management work. As leading experts within this space, we worked in collaboration with partners to ensure that the project’s results were widely disseminated and reached the relevant audiences at the local, national and European levels. We also worked closely with the coordinating partner, Nordland Research Institute, providing project management support to the team and coordinating the project task on Ocean Literacy activities. Each TCL team was supported in organising local Ocean Literacy activities in their communities, and we co-developed a number of Ocean Literacy resources, most notably the Women Making Waves Activity Book. We also collaborated with Nordland Research Institute on the rollout of the Ocean & Society Survey, and produced and disseminated a series of policy briefs, capturing national Ocean Literacy needs and policy recommendations for the six TCL countries. Reflecting on his time working on the EmpowerUs project, Donnchadh Kindlon, ERINN Innovation Senior Project Officer, said: “It’s been a real pleasure working on the EmpowerUs project. The highlight for me has undoubtedly been getting to work with such fantastic partners over the last three years and getting to work on marine social sciences, an often underappreciated yet very important field. I’m looking forward to exploring future opportunities to work with the partners again!” Project Legacy While the project has officially wrapped up, the legacy of EmpowerUs continues. With six Transition Coastal Labs established and strong relationships built, the local host partners will continue to engage with the communities to ensure the results are taken up and the project has a lasting positive impact. The project has ended at an exciting time for EU marine policy, with the launch of the European Ocean Pact by DG MARE earlier this year. The Pact includes a dedicated strategy for the development and resilience of EU coastal communities, and EmpowerUs partners plan to continue to engage with DG MARE to ensure that the key insights from the project are taken into consideration within the strategy. EmpowerUs has also recently been featured on Euronews on their Ocean Documentary series. Watch here. Want to find out more about ERINN Innovation’s co-creation work in EmpowerUs and other projects? Discover insights from our recent Co-Creation event.
- Project News
July 7, 2025
Unlocking the Potential of XTREAM Environments
ERINN Innovation is proud to be part of the Horizon Europe project XTREAM, a €4.5 million, four-year initiative coordinated by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre that explores the biodiversity of extreme aquatic environments to accelerate the circular bioeconomy. XTREAM brings together a dynamic, multidisciplinary consortium to uncover novel enzymes, bioactives, and biomaterials from extremophiles, microorganisms that thrive in some of the planet’s harshest habitats, including deep-sea brine pools, hydrothermal vents, polar waters, and acidic lakes. These remarkable life forms hold vast potential for sustainable innovation across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, nutraceuticals, green industry, agriculture, and food. ERINN Innovation leads the Exploitation Plan within Work Package 5, focusing on translating XTREAM’s scientific advances into real-world benefits for industry, policymakers, and society. Above: Example of an acid drainage site characterised by low pH and elevated concentrations of dissolved metals. The project targets microbes adapted to extreme temperatures, pressures, salinities, and pH levels – environments that challenge most life forms. By tapping into these unique ecosystems, XTREAM aims to discover exceptionally stable and functional biomolecules with broad application potential. Beyond scientific discovery, XTREAM is committed to responsible and ethical exploitation. The project prioritises fair benefit sharing, supports policy development and capacity building, and employs low-impact, efficient biodiscovery methods that reduce environmental strain while accelerating innovation. Above: Hypersaline conditions observed in marine solar salterns, representative of high-salinity environments. As the lead of XTREAM’s exploitation activities, ERINN Innovation applies its proven Knowledge Transfer Methodology to identify and prioritise key exploitable results, engage stakeholders, and develop targeted strategies that maximise the uptake and impact of project outcomes. Our goal is to move XTREAM’s discoveries beyond the lab and into practical solutions that support Europe’s green transitions. By developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals and materials, XTREAM aligns closely with major EU priorities, including the European Green Deal, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the Sustainable Blue Economy, contributing to a resilient and circular bioeconomy. (Main image: Representative polar and glacial environment, illustrating extreme cold conditions. All images licenced by WP5 lead- ScienSeed.) Learn more about ERINN Innovation’s Knowledge Transfer methodology.
- Project News
June 25, 2025
Living Labs in EU-Funded Projects: Lessons Learned
The Smart Control of Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities (SCORE) project, funded under Horizon 2020, brought together innovative technologies and participatory approaches to tackle climate challenges in coastal areas. A cornerstone of the project was its network of 10 Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs), which provided spaces for local stakeholders, citizens, policymakers, researchers, and industry, to co-create solutions for their communities to increase climate resilience. ERINN Innovation led and contributed to several Living Lab implementation activities throughout SCORE, helping partners apply participatory methods in practice. Their involvement across different project phases, from concept and design to on-the-ground delivery, has given ERINN Innovation well-rounded expertise in the Living Lab approach. ERINN Innovation’s Role in SCORE’s Living Labs Throughout the SCORE project, ERINN Innovation played a pivotal part in ensuring that SCORE’s Living Labs achieved real impact and generated transferable knowledge. Leading the Lessons Learned task, ERINN Innovation worked closely with partners to capture valuable insights from the experience of implementing the 10 CCLLs. The team took a systematic and mixed-methods approach, drawing on interviews, surveys, and interactive sessions, to document challenges, successes, and best practices. This effort was not just about reporting on what worked but about distilling learnings that could guide future projects. The result was the Navigating Living Labs: Lessons Learned from SCORE’s 10 Coastal City Living Labs guide, along with an associated course with these insights available here. This course features videos of CCLL Core Teams in conversation with ERINN Innovation partners, along with video on the Living Lab Integrative Process from SCORE project partners European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). It serves as a great resource for those interested in learning how to create and implement a successful Living Lab. Key Insights for Horizon Europe Projects One important finding from ERINN Innovation’s work is that Living Labs in EU-funded projects present unique challenges and opportunities compared to other types of Living Labs, such as those led by municipalities or the private sector. Horizon Europe projects, with their specific timelines, funding and reporting structures, and multi-partner consortia, require careful adaptation of Living Lab methodologies. To address this, ERINN Innovation developed a dedicated chapter in Navigating Living Labs: Lessons Learned from SCORE’s 10 Coastal City Living Labs which focused on applying Living Lab approaches within the context of Horizon Europe and other EU programmes. This chapter offers actionable insights for project managers and partners involved in European-funded initiatives and is summarised in the video below. Overall, key advantages of Horizon Europe funding include financial stability, long-term collaboration opportunities, and pathways to future funding, which are benefits that have already enabled some CCLLs to extend their work beyond SCORE. Best practices for project design stress the importance of: Building strong, well-resourced Core Teams with at least one municipal partner and two funded organisations per CCLL. Carefully considering the number and geographic distribution of Living Labs. Designing flexible work packages that allow time for relationship-building, community engagement, and knowledge sharing. The CCLLs also noted the need to integrate technical and local partners to ensure tools and methods are relevant and actionable. Reflections on collaboration models recommend moving away from rigid “frontrunner vs follower” roles toward more balanced knowledge sharing systems based on shared challenges. Sustainability considerations highlight the value of diverse partner teams, clear post-project branding, ongoing engagement through communities of practice, and well-managed project closure strategies that maintain stakeholder trust and momentum. Ultimately, SCORE’s experience shows that with the right project structure, integrating Living Labs into EU-funded projects can create lasting, high-impact Living Labs that foster innovation, resilience, and strong community ties. Looking Ahead Building on the success of their work in SCORE, ERINN Innovation is looking to continue its involvement in participatory methods and Living Lab approaches. The team is actively seeking opportunities to bring this expertise to new projects, across a range of societal challenges. With proven experience in supporting collaborative innovation across the project lifecycle, ERINN Innovation is well-positioned to help support the design and delivery of Living Labs that empower communities and foster meaningful engagement, ensuring that solutions are not only innovative but grounded in real-world needs. Read our recent blog celebrating the successful conclusion of the SCORE project.
- Project News
June 16, 2025
Celebrating the Successful Conclusion of SCORE
SCORE (Smart Control of Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities) was a Horizon 2020-funded project aimed at strengthening climate resilience in European coastal cities. In response to the growing threats posed by climate change, such as extreme weather events, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise, SCORE integrated SMART technologies, nature-based solutions and living labs to develop effective, scalable, and sustainable adaptation strategies. About The Project SCORE placed a strong emphasis on Ecosystem-Based Approaches (EBAs), which leverage natural processes to enhance coastal protection, improve biodiversity, and foster sustainable urban development. By combining EBAs with smart digital technologies, SCORE enabled cities to enhance climate monitoring, prediction, and adaptation strategies. However, these innovative solutions must be tested, refined, and validated through real-world applications to ensure their long-term viability and effectiveness. To achieve this, SCORE established a network of 10 Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs) across seven European countries. These CCLLs serve as collaborative platforms where local communities, researchers, policymakers, and businesses co-design and implement climate resilience solutions tailored to their specific geographic and socio-economic contexts. Each CCLL followed a structured methodology to support its establishment, stakeholder engagement, and co-creation processes. Each CCLL was developed using a flexible framework, ensuring project goals were achieved, while allowing for contextualisation to the local context. SCORE’s CCLLs are located in: Ireland: Sligo & Dublin Portugal: Oeiras Spain: Vilanova i la Geltrú, Benidorm & Oarsoaldea Italy: Massa Slovenia: Piran Turkey: Samsun Poland: Gdańsk The project has produced numerous key results, including a EBA catalogue, co-creation toolkit, amongst others – all providing new results that are impactful at both the European and local levels. Discover the full list of results on SCORE’s website. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation played a pivotal role in the project’s success, leading the knowledge transfer activities and the establishment of the living labs. Notably, ERINN Innovation undertook a comprehensive, rigorous mixed-methods approach to systematically capture lessons learned from the SCORE’s ten CCLLs to support the further establishment of CCLLs beyond SCORE. In the early stages of the project, ERINN Innovation, with the support of WP2, developed a methodological framework and calendar to carefully capture insights from both technical and non-technical activities, thereby providing a holistic picture of how the CCLLs have adapted and matured over time. By engaging directly with CCLL partners through surveys, interviews, and interactive sessions, online and in-person, we were able to build a rich catalogue of the evolving challenges, successes, and best practices of the SCORE approach. This work and commitment, has lead to the development of Navigating Living Labs – Lessons Learned (see below). This guidebook gives specific recommendations and learnings for new living labs to take on in their journey. Above: The Navigating Living Labs – Lessons Learned Guidebook ERINN Innovation has led the development of a series of courses hosted on the SCORE Online Learning platform. These courses cover a variety of topics including nature-based solutions, monitoring in coastal communities and living labs. “It’s been a fun challenge to capture the huge amount of work done by the wider SCORE team across new mediums. I will miss getting to work on the unique tasks we as ERINN have had the chance to lead on, such as the Lessons Learned and designing Massive Open Online Courses. And of course I will miss working with this talented and ambitious consortium – I’ve found the whole SCORE team hugely inspirational!” – Casey Borklund, Project Officer at ERINN Innovation. The Project’s Legacy While SCORE is winding down, its legacy is far from over. With 10 CCLL established across Europe, these communities will continue to engage in co-creative activities, making their coastal areas increasingly resilient to climate change. The CCLLs bring together stakeholders for all walks of life and with varying priorities from, citizens, policymakers, businesses to discuss the climate challenges of their community. The CCLL creates a space for dialogue and collaboration at a time when it is truly needed. The empowerment of the communities is the true legacy of the project. “SCORE has really shown me the power of community-level work. I am continuously impressed and inspired by the folks within the CCLL, both SCORE partners and beyond, who show up and are so dedicated to ensuring their community is taking action. I am honoured to have met and worked with these folks and look forward to seeing where these relationships take us.” – Rochelle Caruso, Project Manager at ERINN Innovation. Want to find out more about our services? Explore how ERINN Innovation can support your project.
- Project News
May 20, 2025
SafeNet to Protect Biodiversity and Forest Networks
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme, the SafeNet (Safeguarding biodiversity and carbon-rich forest Networks in Europe) project aims to address biodiversity loss and boost ecosystem resilience in European forests, using advanced monitoring, modelling, and working with local communities to develop solutions that balance conservation with the use of natural resources. Collaboration with the people who depend on and manage forests is a key component of the project. Policymakers, forest owners and managers, conservationists, and selected industry experts involved in timber production, eco-tourism, and forest-based bioeconomy will be directly involved in shaping solutions. This will take place through regional case studies containing embedded Living Labs, as well as an EU-level Policy Lab. “By combining cutting-edge science with hands-on collaboration, we can make a real impact and safeguard the future of Europe’s forests,” says project coordinator Jukka Forsman, Research Professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland; “SafeNet is not just about studying forests – it is about working with the people who rely on them to find solutions that balance conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable use.” SafeNet will use the latest scientific methods, such as biodiversity monitoring, advanced modelling, and remote sensing, to understand how climate change and land use are affecting Europe’s forests. Conservation and management strategies will be tested in case studies located across a range of forest ecosystems. These include Mediterranean forests and fragmented landscapes in Spain and Germany, as well as temperate forests in Romania and Finland, all managed under long-term integrated practices. Stakeholders from each case study area will participate in regional living labs and play an active role in co-designing solutions tailored to their specific landscapes, ensuring that SafeNet’s research leads to practical and effective strategies for safeguarding forests. “Integrating anticipatory conservation strategies and commercial management of forests and habitats is essential for safeguarding species communities under climate change”, says SafeNet co-coordinator Mikko Peltoniemi, Research Professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland. SafeNet researchers will study how species move and how ecosystems shift to predict where forests might act as climate refuges in the future. This will help identify the best ways to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy, carbon-rich forests. Building on these insights, SafeNet will develop effective management and conservation measures, such as maintaining ecological corridors to enable species to move along with the shifting ecosystems and temperature ranges. In the long term, this will help species adapt to new environmental conditions. ERINN Innovation leads the project’s communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities, ensuring that knowledge is shared, understood, and used to create real impact across Europe. By bringing together cutting-edge science and real-world expertise, SafeNet will provide the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen EU conservation policies, helping forests stay resilient, diverse, and full of life for generations to come. ERINN Innovation is currently supporting over 22 active European projects. We want to support our projects to have maximum impact to society. Discover our portfolio of EU-funded projects.
- Project News
March 21, 2025
OptiForValue: Optimising for Sustainable High-Value Forests
Wood use is increasing globally, with demand estimated to significantly surpass supply, increasing the pressure to increase forest areas and growth. Forests play an important role in the fight against climate change and are crucial for biodiversity and the bioeconomy. However, climate change is also causing direct challenges to forests and the bioeconomy due to increasing biotic and abiotic threats affecting forest health and causing severe economic losses. Better forest management is needed to make forests more resistant to the cross-border threats of pests, droughts and wildfires that are exacerbated by climate change, to strengthen their resilience and capacity and to enable new economic opportunities for forest-based value chains. The OptiForValue project, launched in 2024, is working to optimise forest operations for enhanced resilience and for high-value applications. About OptiForValue OptiForValue will contribute to the goals of the EU Forest Strategy, a European initiative focused on creating a comprehensive forest knowledge base, that will allow Member States, forest owners and forest managers to improve their response to growing pressures on forests and strengthen forest resilience and bioeconomy. This forest value chain optimisation will be achieved by using a unique, interconnected modelling framework involving strong participative engagement and novel scientific approaches, including early warning indicators of biotic and abiotic risks, adaptive forest management strategies, remote sensing and artificial intelligence for agile forest operations, and integrated value-chain optimisation and life cycle assessments. The project will report on methods and guidelines for the effective management of forest stands affected by drought, fire, insects, and snow damage; possible new high-value engineered wood products from damaged wood; adjusting forest management to meet future alternative demand for high-value forest products; and for more resilient value chains on supply security and cost competitiveness – and potential applicability to other regions across Europe. With a budget of €5 million and a consortium of seventeen partners across seven European countries, OptiForValue will operate from 2024 to 2028. Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) and its members, and with Luke Natural Resources Institute (Finland) as coordinator, OptiForValue research project’s ultimate goal is to foster transition to more sustainable and resilient forest-based value chains. ERINN Innovation’s Role With expertise in guiding and accelerating impactful research and innovation for sustainable initiatives, ERINN Innovation is one of the partners in the OptiForValue project. Our role is in driving the project’s dissemination, exploitation, and communication strategy – leading the creation of the project branding, website and maintenance of social media platforms. ERINN Innovation is also managing the project’s knowledge transfer to ensure impact beyond the lifetime of the project and ensuring that information is accessible for advancing European sustainable strategies and achieving a sustainable future. For more information about OptiForValue and to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the project, visit the newly launched OptiForValue website. ERINN Innovation is actively involved in over 22 active European projects. Learn more about our projects. OptiForValue is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
- Project News
March 10, 2025
New Peatland Standard Launched in Ireland
On Friday, March 7th, the Peatland Standard for Ireland was officially launched. The Standard is a pioneering certification designed to empower landowners and farmers to showcase the environmental benefits of peatland restoration, including carbon reduction, increased water storage, biodiversity enhancement, and improved water quality. What is the Peatland Standard? This voluntary certification provides landowners with the opportunity to unlock financial support to accelerate their peatland restoration efforts. These efforts are vital for reducing carbon emissions and will play a significant role in achieving Ireland’s climate and biodiversity targets. The initiative aligns closely with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan – which identifies peatland restoration as a key strategy for reducing emissions – and assists Ireland in achieving its National Biodiversity Action Plan targets. Following a public consultation at the close of 2024, Version 1.0 of the Standard has now been officially introduced for the pilot phase, giving landowners the chance to validate the environmental impact of their peatland restoration projects. By adopting the Standard, landowners can access funding from businesses and organisations committed to supporting environmental conservation initiatives. Development of the Standard The development of the Standard has been made possible through the support of Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) of the European Investment Bank (EIB). Irish peatlands are essential for regulating water, supporting biodiversity and storing carbon. However, many have been severely degraded due to human activity. The Peatland Standard for Ireland presents a scientifically grounded methodology to assess some or all of the full range of ecosystem service benefits from peatland restoration, including carbon sequestration, volumetric water benefit, biodiversity improvements, water quality enhancement, wildfire risk and impact reduction and flood risk reduction. Dr Shane Mc Guinness from Peatland Finance Ireland remarked: “This new certification recognises the diverse environmental, economic, and societal advantages of restoring our peatlands. It will facilitate the funding of vital community restoration efforts, driven by a blend of public, private and philanthropic investments.” Developed over the last 15 months by Peatland Finance Ireland, a not-for-profit organisation, the Peatland Standard was created in collaboration with academic institutions, governmental bodies, semi-state agencies and civil society groups. The certification adheres to international environmental principles and is fully in line with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF). Independent third-party auditors will validate ecosystem improvement claims in accordance with ISO standards. Landowners and organisations interested in adopting the Peatland Standard and unlocking funding opportunities for peatland restoration are encouraged to register interest and learn more about the certification process. Visit peatlandfinance.ie. About Peatland Finance Ireland Peatland Finance Ireland (PFI), established in 2022, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating and managing a national financing system for peatland restoration. PFI’s mission is to integrate carbon, water and biodiversity conservation with regional development opportunities, engaging a broad range of stakeholders including public bodies, NGOs, businesses and local communities. The organisation’s work is supported by ERINN Innovation and the Landscape Finance Lab.
- Horizon Europe
- Project News
January 29, 2025
Ambitious Projects to Tackle Invasive Alien Species Launched in Europe
Two ambitious multi-stakeholder projects that aim to tackle the threat of invasive alien species have been launched at a conference in Europe this week (20-23 January 2025). GuardIAS and OneSТOP — covering marine and freshwater, and terrestrial habitats respectively — will work in tandem to alleviate the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on endangered species, natural sites and human health, providing comprehensive coverage of Europe’s ecosystems. Invasive alien species — animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment where they are not normally found — are major threats worldwide, contributing to 60% of plant and animal extinctions and costing over $400 billion annually to global economies. The challenges associated with invasive alien species are likely to intensify with climate change and ongoing globalisation. The GuardIAS and OneSTOP projects will use advanced scientific research, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence to develop new tools and methods that will prevent, detect, prioritise, eradicate, and manage invasive alien species — covering all steps of the biological invasion process. In addition, a significant aspect of both projects is public engagement and wider community involvement, including Citizen Science initiatives, outreach and art events, and the development of interactive games to gain support and promote action in addressing the threats of invasive alien species. “We have created a multi-disciplinary approach, which I am very excited about”, said GuardIAS Project Coordinator Professor Stelios Katsanevakis, University of the Aegean, Greece. “We have brought together public research institutes, universities, non-profit associations, small/medium enterprises and the EU’s Joint Research Centre to work on the issue. Through this, we will create a far-reaching outreach programme that involves the wider community in addressing the challenges posed to society by invasive alien species.” Prof Katsanevakis continued, “The GuardIAS project aims to improve the detection and prevent the spread of invasive alien species in both marine and freshwater habitats using a range of novel methods — such as artificial intelligence (AI), environmental DNA, satellite imagery, underwater robotics and monitoring systems, and the development of an early alert system. Information gained from the research will be used to increase public awareness regarding threats from invasive species spread, enhance public engagement, and enable decision makers to prioritise where and when to act.” GuardIAS and OneSTOP will develop solutions for the management of invasive alien species at multiple governance levels, from local to international — and will also conduct analyses to assess invasion risks under various future scenarios, including climate change. “It has been an incredible week at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, hearing the scope of both projects and being with the different partners and stakeholders, discussing and collaborating”, said Professor Helen E. Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and University of Exeter, who is co-leading OneSTOP. “We have been aware for many years that there are datasets in many different places, with different people doing different things in different ways, and we knew there had to be a way to bring it all together. And now, we are launching initiatives to build on the incredible progress of the last decade. It is an exciting and significant moment for all involved”. OneSTOP’s coordinator Doctor Quentin Groom from Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium, shared the reasoning behind the project, “To comprehensively address the issue of invasive alien species, OneSTOP is working around four main objectives. We are developing new tools allowing us to detect invasive alien species better. We are connecting these tools to systems which send information to the interested stakeholders faster. Based on the obtained data, we are also developing a system which allows policymakers to prioritise action on invasive alien species. Throughout all of this, we are working closely with people on a regional level through Living Labs and on an international level with a policy forum.” A key part of both projects are work packages that will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to systematically query different biodiversity databases for information about invasive alien species — for example, species distribution, environmental tolerances, biological traits, and genetic information, streamlining multiple datasets. To complement the EU efforts for an official reporting system and the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN), the projects will be co-developing an Alert System on invasive alien species. Funded by Horizon Europe, the projects have been hailed as not just a response to current environmental challenges but also a proactive step towards sustainable management and conservation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Europe. The comprehensive approach of the projects, encompassing science, technology, and community engagement, positions them as key players in the EU’s efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems from the growing threat of invasive species in alignment with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Photo credit: Benoît Outrey/Biosphoto
- Project News
January 20, 2025
Celebrating the Successful Conclusion of SEArcularMINE
After over four years of groundbreaking work, the Horizon 2020 SEArcularMINE project officially concluded in August 2024. This project focused on addressing Europe’s dependence on imported Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). It successfully demonstrated a sustainable and circular process for extracting these valuable minerals from seawater bitterns – a byproduct of traditional salt production. About The Project The SEArcularMINE project built on the ancient method of saltworks, where seawater is evaporated in shallow basins to produce salt. This process leaves behind bittern, a highly concentrated solution containing magnesium, lithium, boron, rubidium, and other CRMs. Using cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies like electro membrane processes and renewable energy, SEArcularMINE transformed this often-wasted resource into a valuable input for the sustainable recovery of critical materials. This process was designed to be fully circular, as seen in the project concept figure below: Infographic: The SEArcularMINE Project concept. The project’s crowning achievement was the development of a fully operational pilot plant near the historic Trapani saltworks in Sicily. The pilot demonstrated the feasibility of recovering CRMs with zero chemical inputs, producing high-purity magnesium hydroxide, up to 100 kg/day of target materials, and the proof of the potential for 100% renewable energy operation, paving the way for grid independence. Watch a behind the scenes tour of the site below: These innovations have significant implications for Europe’s raw materials strategy. By tapping into seawater as a sustainable CRM source, SEArcularMINE could help the EU reduce its reliance on imports, address global demand for critical materials, and foster economic growth in the Mediterranean region. Michael Papapetrou (Executive Director, ERINN Innovation) facilitating the SEArcularMINE final event in May 2024 in Trapani, Sicily. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation played a pivotal role in the project’s success, leading the communication, dissemination, exploitation, and knowledge management work. As leaders within this space, ERINN Innovation ensured that SEArcularMINE’s results were widely shared and positioned for real-world impact. Notably, the project generated 6 patents, 26 open-access publications, and created an upcoming network of over 80 skilled early career researchers to continue this work. ERINN Innovation’s Executive Director Michael Papapetrou provided the project management support, drawing on over 20 years’ experience working within European funding. The ERINN Innovation team also facilitated collaborative events with other EU projects, such as SEA4VALUE and REWAISE, to explore synergies and amplify the project’s outcomes. Trapani Saltworks (Photo © Michael Papapetrou) The Project’s Legacy While SEArcularMINE has officially concluded, its legacy is far from over. ResourSEAs, one of the project’s partners, is actively pursuing commercial partnerships with Mediterranean saltworks to develop full-scale plants. The transition of many of the SEArcularMINE team into the MareMag LIFE project will further advance the technologies, focusing on scaling up operations and integrating desalination brines into the process. Additionally, project partners like SUEZ and SOSALT are working as partners in the value chain of CRM extraction processes, while researchers from institutions such as UPC and iBET continue to refine processes for lithium, boron, and other trace element recovery. Following the conclusion of the project, the results of this work have continued to be of interest to the wider European community. SEArcularMINE was recently featured in the CORDIS Results Pack and at the EU Raw Materials Week in December 2024. You can learn more about the results of SEArcularMINE in this CORDIS Article about SEArcularMINE. Want to find out more about our services? Explore how ERINN Innovation can support your project.
- Project News
December 11, 2024
AquaPLAN: Map of European Aquatic Habitats Affected by Light & Noise Pollution Launched
An EU research project has produced the first interactive map of European marine and freshwater habitats affected by both light and noise pollution (LNP). The AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal is the first step in managing the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in our rivers, lakes, coastal and offshore waters. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, the AquaPLAN project (Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity) is quantifying the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in marine, freshwater and estuarine habitats, substantially improving our understanding of LNP prevalence, its impacts and our ability to manage them. Led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal allows users to view layers of data, separately or simultaneously, on marine and freshwater artificial light pollution and anthropogenic noise pollution. Existing habitat maps will also be made available in the future so that the combined impacts of these anthropogenic pollutants can be seen as we develop a risk matrix framework. Lead researcher, Tim Smyth (PML) said: “While our understanding of how LNP affects aquatic biodiversity has dramatically improved in recent decades. Evidence suggests that these effects are prevalent globally in all aquatic habitats. There are still many critical knowledge gaps, we need better datasets to understand how to monitor, protect and restore aquatic biodiversity effectively. The AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal will allow us to take the first steps to better management and reduce these combined impacts”. PML are demonstrating the capabilities of the Portal to AquaPLAN participants at online workshops on 9 and 18 December 2024. The workshop recordings will be made publicly available on the AquaPLAN website following the second workshop. We can all do our part to reduce light and noise pollution from our homes and outdoor spaces. For simple actions you can take, please visit AquaPLAN’s Tips. Discover the AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal.
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ERINN Innovation is a value-driven company owned by the staff who support research and innovation to have impact.
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ERINN Innovation Ltd
Company No.: 600883 (Ireland)
Company No.: 600883 (Ireland)
Directors
David Murphy (IE/UK)
Laura Richardson (IE)
Marieke Reuver (NL)
Michael Papapetrou (GR/IE)
Reid Hole (NO)
