Over recent centuries, the intensification of land use has caused the loss of natural sponge functions in landscapes. River straightening, bank stabilisation and embankments disrupt the natural exchange of water with the floodplains, which not only absorb and slowly release water during droughts but also provide diverse habitats, nature-based flood protection, and valuable recreational areas. Restoring wetlands is vital in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

The "SpongeBoost" project supports policy-making, restoration, and land-use planning, promoting cost-effective, nature-based solutions that align with EU Climate Adaptation goals. With the establishment of the “SpongeBooster of the Year” award, the project aimed to spread recognition for those committed to restoring sponge landscapes, assessed not only on implementation but also on public relations, environmental education, and regional cooperation.

The example projects should help to better research sponge solutions and develop recommendations for other locations. The aim is to promote the restoration of sponge landscapes throughout the European Union.

— Mathias Scholz ( project coordinator of SpongeBoost, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

After evaluating this year's submissions, the small local German initiative Planar e.V. was selected as the winner of the "SpongeBooster of the Year" award for 2025.

SpongeBoost project partners Carina Darmstadt and Sabrina Schulz from the Environmental Action Germany (DUH) were able to present this year's award for special commitment to the restoration of sponge landscapes to Jens Eligehausen and his colleagues of Planar e.V. at an on-site event, representing SpongeBoost.

Thanks to their dedicated commitment and constructive cooperation with anglers, landowners and approval authorities, Planar e.V. voluntarily managed to effectively revitalise a 1.1 km section of the river Diemel within a short timeframe and at comparatively low cost.

As a result, the Diemel is once again forming natural river structures, and approximately 20 hectares of floodplain have been reconnected to the river. This restoration has created valuable new habitats for more than 65 species, some of them highly endangered, and has enhanced both the area’s natural water retention (“sponge function”) and its recreational appeal. So, this project stands as a compelling example of how nature-based solutions can make effective use of limited resources to improve hydrological functioning and drive meaningful ecological transformation.

This is an impressive measure and a real benefit for local nature conservation.

— Carina Darmstadt, Environmental Action Germany (DUH)

The implementation was integrated into the university's courses through cooperation with the University of Kassel, so that students can actively participate in monitoring measures and data analyses. In addition, the public is also involved through a citizen science approach. Interested parties can map their observations via the Diemel Datenaufkarten platform. All new findings are available free of charge.

The SpongeBooster of the Year award shows that we can restore rivers and their floodplains efficiently by focusing on cost-effective, scalable methods. The next step is to apply these successes to more stretches of water, which will require standardised solutions and increased integration within river maintenance efforts.

— Jens Eligehausen, Planar e.V. project

The association's award this year is also intended to encourage other civil society initiatives to continue their efforts to restore our sponge landscapes. Looking ahead, the “SpongeBooster of the Year” award will return in 2026. The next application round will open in fall 2025, again under the coordination of DUH. The SpongeBoost team looks forward to getting to know more inspiring and pioneering projects by SpongeBoosters throughout Europe.

Stay tuned for more project information on the SpongeBoost website: www.spongeboost.eu

Find SpongeBoost on social media: X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky.

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SpongeBoost receives funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No.101112906.

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the EU nor the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) can be held responsible for them.