Eco-Friendly Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Soil Degradation – EcoBASE

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro participates as a partner in the ECOBASE project which is financed through the Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic-Ionian Program (ADRION).

The project, whose leading partner is the University of Patras (Greece), brings together distinguished institutions and organizations from the region, including: Chamber of Commerce of Aetoloakarnania (Greece), Chamber of Commerce of Padua (Italy), Municipality of Gjirokaster (Albania), Center for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy of the University of Donja Gorica (Montenegro), University of Belgrade - Faculty of Agriculture (Serbia), University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje (North Macedonia), Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Agriculture and Food (Slovenia), Agricultural and Forestry Institute Ptuj (Slovenia).

Duration: 36 months (September 2024 – August 2027)

Coordinator: University of Patras – Department of Agriculture, Greece

Montenegrin Partner: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Montenegro

The EcoBASE project aims to establish a network of universities, managing entities, and policymakers to create strategies and implement good practices crucial for the preservation and protection of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure. The project also focuses on mitigating soil degradation in rural and urban areas, while addressing all forms of soil pollution.

Soil degradation is recognized as a significant challenge, given its vital role in food production, energy, raw materials, carbon sequestration, water purification, and nutrient regulation. In the Adriatic–Ionian region, the main threats include soil erosion, salinization, and pollution from heavy metals and organic contaminants, exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable land use.

The project will develop practical solutions and innovative tools to combat these challenges, enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and soil health monitoring.

The project aims to create a digital learning platform for all agricultural producers, linked with a novel farming advisory system and a marketplace with widely open farming tools that help to follow EU Soil Strategy.

The main goal is to provide individual farmers with all the necessary tools and knowledge to facilitate the adaptation of modern, sustainable, and efficient agricultural techniques.

Within the framework of the ECOBASE project, two pillar projects will be implemented:

1. Sustainable Soil Management from Farmers

2. Soil remediation Methodology

Proposed project will offer solutions for above mentioned challenges, specifically with:

• Methodology, Operative procedures, and basic equipment in the field of soil monitoring, preservation, and protection.a

• Survey form to evaluate the degradation of soil.

• Geo database filled with soil data based on soil analysis, sensor measurements. Data will be visualized and shared through GIS platform.

• Database Architecture and metadata collected.

• Tools for farmers helping to monitoring soil status.

• Program for training farmers, taking advantage of the multidisciplinary skills of partners.

Total Project Value: €1,417 769,79 (85% co-financed by the European Union)

https://ecobase.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/