European IP projects together at LIFE IP Platform event

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On 10 and 11 April, LIFE Belini organised a LIFE IP Platform event in Brussels. 40 delegates of LIFE projects from different European member states came together to share their ideas and experiences with one other.

The LIFE IP Platform took place last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Herman Teirlinck building in Brussels. Various projects, both already in progress and in their preparation phase, were represented, with a healthy mix of topics relating to water, nature and climate.

The goal of the event was to exchange ideas and experiences concerning the common challenges in project and communication management. The projects were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to one another and to share their experience with the projects in preparation. The projects also looked at finding joint initiatives for future collaboration. Other themes were also addressed, such as monitoring the project and stakeholder management.

The two-day event ended with a guided visit to the Doode Bemde in Leuven. This nature reserve is a fine example of what a natural water retention area can look like. In Belini, plans for realising several natural water retention areas in the river basin of the Dijle in Namur are still on the drawing board.

The successful conference is a good start to a closer collaboration between the different European LIFE IP projects.

LIFE Belini at Brussels waterdays

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Sunday 25 March marked the close of Brussels Water Days. Life Bellini set up a full-blown water village at the Maximilian Park in Brussels, featuring a variety of fun, water-related activities. LIFE Belini was also on hand to present the project to a large interested audience.

Numerous interested parties paid a visit to the ‘Maxi Mille Liens’ Water Village. Attendees were introduced to water managers or associations active in water management via a wide range of activities.

For LIFE Belini, it was the ideal opportunity to present their project to the attendees. The youngest visitors could become acquainted with aquatic animals or colour in a Belini drawing, and additionally received a fun surprise. The arrival of daylight savings time with the accompanying sunshine ensured a successful final day in the Maximilian Park water village.

Presentation of planned works in Vinkenberg

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Approximately 40 local residents came to find out about the Sigma Plan Demer Valley project and the plans for the Vinkenberg area between Scherpenheuvel-Zichem and Diest. After an explanation in the cultural centre in Diest, they were given a tour through the area.

Over the course of 2018, a previously cut off meandering—or turn—in the river will be reconnected to the Demer. Furthermore, the water levels of the Lei canal will be raised so that ‘wet’ nature will be able to flourish. At the same time, we are investing in a small levee to protect the area from flooding. This is being accomplished with the support of the European LIFE Belini project.

More information is available at: http://sigmaplan.be/en/projects/the-demer-valley/

Launch event: a successful start

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On Tuesday 24 May, about 70 guests gathered at the HUSA President Park Hotel in Brussels for an event to launch the LIFE Belini.

project. This project has given eight Belgian partners the opportunity to set up an ambitious project for a targeted and coordinated approach to waterways in the basins of the Zenne, Dyle and Demer rivers.

Lots of speakers gave uplifting presentations about the project, the goals, the partnership and various actions that will benefit the water and hydro-morphologic qualities of the water courses and limit the risk of flooding.

Under a shining sun, the partners and stakeholders raised their glasses to a successful collaboration over the coming eight years