Making a difference for people
Much of the work we support is about improving the quality of life for citizens in the North Sea Region. For example, by safeguarding a healthy environment, improving public services, preparing for climate impacts, and combatting loneliness.
Project highlights
Browse through the slideshow to discover key project achievements so far:
Explore projects improving liveability
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ACCESS: Ensuring sustainable energy for all Stable, affordable energy is fundamental for citizens' well-being. ACCESS discovers how to keep grids running as green energy production goes local. |
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BEGIN: Supporting liveability through climate adaptation BEGIN documented huge social benefits of blue-green infrastructure in cities. Aside from reduced impact of flooding, elements like rivers, lakes, and parks boost the mental and physical health of residents. |
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BITS: Improving your cycling experience Cycling is a healthy and eco-friendly form of transport. However, if people have concerns about e.g. safety or parking space, they may choose the car instead. BITS uses big data to remove such barriers and create a smooth experience for cyclists. |
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BLING: Promoting blockchain in government Can blockchain technology foster democracy? Can it enable authorities to help vulnerable citizens without disrupting their privacy? In BLING, the partners have their eyes set on the potential of blockhain for improving public services. |
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BwN: Creating flood resilience with nature Building with Nature (BwN) is using natural structures such as dunes and rivers to reduce the impacts of flood events. This helps prevent future disasters in the impacted areas. |
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CATCH: Preparing mid-size cities for extreme weather CATCH developed tools to help mid-size cities prepare for climate change and create new assets in the process. The project demonstrated solutions across seven pilot cities and showed that threats can often be turned into benefits. |
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CUPIDO: Culture driving rural economies What if cultural heritage could take centre stage in the economy of rural areas? CUPIDO provides proof that local culture can drive sustainable business in the countryside. |
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EXSKALLERATE: Easing the strain on workers With exoskeletons, workers in the construction industry can avoid back-breaking work and excessive strain on the body. |
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FRAMES: Keeping the floods at bay FRAMES' multi-layered safety approach enables communities and authorities to work together and be ready when the floods strike. This reduces flood damage, protects vital infrastructure, and eases restoration work after a flooding event. |
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G-PaTRA: Expanding green mobility in the countryside How can green transport improve mobility for people living in rural areas? Ride-share schemes, dial-a-bus services, and green public transport are all at play in G-PaTRA. |
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In For Care: Caring about the caregivers Families and friends: In Europe, 80% of all care for vulnerable people is provided by informal carers. The In For Care project found ways to build caring communities and support these caregivers in their vital role. |
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I2I: Moving from isolation to inclusion The I2I project develops methods to combat loneliness as part of social service delivery. Training, volunteering, mapping of needs, events, and special initiatives are all part of the toolbox. |
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INDU-ZERO: Making energy poverty history Energy renovation can reduce your energy bills, but it is costly. INDU-ZERO spearheads mass renovation at 50% of the current price. |
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Like! Breeding a digital culture in public service Digital technology has a vast potential to help public authorities improve their services. Like! produced an impressive range of ideas and good examples of how this can be done. |
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MOVE: Reducing car-dependency in rural areas Do you have to own or rent a car to move around the countryside? Not really, according to MOVE. How about Bed & Bike, e-bikes for health carers, and advanced rural mobility hubs complete with e-charging, bike repair, and restaurant facilities? |
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NorthTick: Taking stock of emerging disease In a warming climate, tick-borne diseases are likely to spread faster. NorthTick assesses the risk and discovers preventive measures, diagnostic strategies, and the best ways to manage patients. |
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PAV: Making driverless vechicles work for people Autonomous transport can improve urban citizens' life by offering safe and green mobility. Whether this happens or not comes down to good planning. PAV explores city planning as a key tool to facilitate citizen-friendly autonomous transport. |
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REFRAME: Supporting local food, local jobs, local lives A stronger focus on local food enables SMEs in food supply chains to thrive. This provides jobs and livelihoods in rural areas threatened by depopulation, as shown by REFRAME. |
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SalFar: Securing food production in a changing climate SalFar's successfully spearheaded saline farming, in response to the salinisation of soils due to climate change. The project's breakthrough results show that it is possible to grow salt-tolerant food crops. This bodes well for food security that is otherwise threatened by global warming. |
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SCORE: Tapping into open data for the benefit of everyone Open data is a largely untapped resource for cities to take care of residents' needs. SCORE showcases ways of putting open data to good use, from mobility to waste collection. |
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SHARE-North: Supporting shared mobility for a cleaner, less congested city SHARE-North has shown that well-designed shared mobility schemes can take many cars off the road. This helps reduce air pollution and frees up precious space in the city. |
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SHINE: Keeping healthcare affordable As pressures on our health systems are growing, how can we make sure they will remain functional and accessible for all? SHINE developed new business models providing better health services at less cost. |
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Stronger Combined: Enabling rural residents to travel green The project makes it easier for people in the countryside to get out and about. For example, special passes help elderly and disabled people get on board public transport. Or how about booking a bike to wait for you at the train station? |
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Stronghouse: Helping people to invest in sustainable housing Using fossil fuels is bad for your pocket as well as the climate. Stronghouse helps homeowners and communities to invest in the energy renovation of 22,000 homes, saving 36 kiloton CO2. |