SpongeWorks On The Aughrim River

We’re delighted to be partnering with Wicklow County Council, the Wicklow Uplands Council and LAWPRO to participate in an EU Horizon project called SpongeWorks, which aims to improve how Europe manages water, land and climate risks. Wicklow is one of eight regions chosen from over 70 applications to become associated regions in this project, and the only Irish region selected.

The project’s name "SpongeWorks" reflects the ability of our soil and habitats to absorb excess rainfall like a sponge. Sponge measures are nature-based solutions that help retain water, reduce flood and drought risks, and restore ecosystems. The aim of using sponge measures is to protect and enhance the landscape's capacity to absorb rainfall, releasing it more slowly back into our rivers.

SpongeWorks is Horizon Europe’s leading initiative for nature-based climate adaptation, bringing together 28 partners and 23 knowledge institutions. The focus of the project is to develop practical, scalable solutions for the implementation of sponge measures, addressing key issues related to effectiveness, financing, governance and stakeholder engagement, and supporting the inclusion of sponge strategies into local governance and planning.

In Wicklow, our specific focus will be on restoring the upper Aughrim River’s ability to slow down water flow. Through the project, we will develop strategies to implement sponge measures in the upper Aughrim River, collaborating, sharing knowledge and building mutual capacity with the other participant regions across Germany, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Spain, Ukraine and Montenegro.

As members of the SpongeWorks team in Wicklow, we’re looking forward to collaborating with landowners in the upper Aughrim River catchment and the Aughrim community, to identify opportunities and co-create solutions that will benefit everyone involved.