The EU-funded SpongeBoost project is looking for inspiring sponge landscape restoration initiatives across Europe to nominate for the final “SpongeBooster of the Year” award in 2027.
Anyone interested can nominate a project that deserves recognition for restoring natural water retention, strengthening resilience to droughts and floods, and creating benefits for nature and communities.
The Horizon Europe project SpongeBoost promotes the restoration of the natural sponge function of landscapes to improve their resilience to flood and drought events. Through the SpongeBooster of the Year Award, the project celebrates initiatives that are turning these ideas into action and highlights the people, partnerships and approaches making restoration happen across Europe.
The award recognises inspiring approaches to restoring sponge landscapes, not only through successful implementation, but also through collaboration, environmental education, public engagement and the ability to inspire others.
In 2027, SpongeBoost will award the final SpongeBooster of the Year. Unlike in previous years, the project consortium is inviting its wider community to help find Europe’s most inspiring sponge landscape projects by nominating outstanding initiatives.
Nominations are open to anyone and may include projects they are involved in, as well as initiatives they consider particularly inspiring or deserving of wider recognition and can be submitted through the online nomination form until 31 October 2026.
From all nominations, the SpongeBoost consortium will select three projects. These projects will then be contacted directly and invited to provide additional information about their work. Based on this second step, the winner will be selected.
The winning project will be visited by members of the SpongeBoost consortium and receive the award during a field visit. The visit will also provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and highlight lessons that could inspire similar restoration initiatives elsewhere in Europe. This will provide an opportunity to showcase the project, the people behind it and the lessons it can offer to others across Europe.
Which projects can be nominated?
SpongeBoost is looking for sponge landscape restoration initiatives carried out by organisations, local authorities, community groups, partnerships or individuals.
Eligible projects should:
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contribute to restoring or improving natural water retention in the landscape;
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have been implemented or substantially developed within the last five years;
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be located in an eligible European country, including EU Member States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Norway and the Balkan countries;
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primarily involve restoration, rewetting or other nature-based measures implemented in outdoor landscapes.
SpongeBoost particularly welcomes projects that combine practical restoration with strong local cooperation, innovative approaches, environmental education or activities that help others learn from and replicate their success.
The final SpongeBooster of the Year Award builds on the previous editions, which have highlighted outstanding examples of sponge landscape restoration and helped bring attention to projects working to address land and water challenges.
If you know a project that deserves to become the final SpongeBooster of the Year, nominate it by 31 October 2026 and help give great restoration work the visibility it deserves.
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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.