Integrated application of innovative water management methods at river basin by coordination of local governments (LIFE LOGOS 4 WATERS)

The LIFE LOGOS 4 WATERS project supports the integration of water retention and climate adaptation into municipal governance, spatial planning and local development practices. It promotes a shift in water management by encouraging municipalities and local stakeholders to recognise water as a strategic resource and a key element of climate resilience.

Through nature-based solutions (NbS) and integrated catchment-level approaches, the project addresses increasing climate-related water challenges such as droughts, water scarcity, flash floods and declining groundwater levels.

The project demonstrates how locally adapted natural water retention measures can strengthen climate resilience across different landscape types. Pilot interventions implemented in both lowland and hilly catchment areas showcase practical and replicable approaches, including wetland restoration, local water retention, runoff reduction and ecosystem-based landscape management.

A key innovation of the project is its multi-level climate governance approach based on small catchment-level cooperation. Municipalities, water management experts, authorities, universities and civil society actors work together through Multi-Stakeholder Catchment Forums to jointly identify and implement solutions that respond to water challenges beyond administrative boundaries.

The project also strengthens institutional and technical capacities through training programmes, awareness-raising activities, educational materials and decision-support tools. Knowledge transfer is supported through professional events, communication campaigns and practical guidance for local implementation.

Key project outputs and resources include:

• Report on implementation of flatland interventions;
• Report on implementation of hilly interventions;
• Decision-support tools and methodological guidance for municipalities:
• Municipal cooperation and implementing NWRMs
• Adaptation practices in the agricultural sector
• Municipal participation in EU and international funding tenders
• Training materials and educational resources on nature-based water retention;
• Infographics and dissemination materials; 
• Awareness-raising campaign materials and the documentary film “Wasted Waters”
• Laymens’s report
• After-LIFE plan

Project achievements at a glance:

• 34 implemented nature-based interventions;
• nearly 46,900 m³ additional local water retention capacity created;
• more than 100 project events organised nationwide;
• approximately 300 applications submitted under municipal support programmes;
• more than 200 municipalities engaged in catchment-level cooperation initiatives;
• 6 awareness-raising short films produced, including the documentary Wasted Waters, reaching more than 250,000 viewers.