Brenta 2030 Operating Group

The Brenta 2030 Operating Group, in synergy with the LIFE project, aims to reduce conflicts of use and increase the profitability of farms through the enhancement of the water protection service. The project aims to convert current conflicts of use into funding opportunities for farms in the Middle Brenta through the application of approaches related to Payments for Environmental Services.

In doing so, the project mainly responds to the problems of lowering the water table, the conflict between the intensive agricultural use of the territories and the allocation to strategic areas of regional importance for water abstraction and the low economic sustainability of the maintenance of agricultural practices aimed at recharging the water table and improving water quality and ecology.

Project Objectives

Step by step

Project Actions

Results

Partner

Supporters

Iniziativa finanziata dal Programma di sviluppo rurale per il Veneto 2014-2020
Organismo responsabile dell’informazione: Società agricola AGRIFLOOR di Cerantola Paolo & C.s.s
Autorità di gestione: Regione del Veneto – Direzione AdG FEASR Parchi e Foreste

Project objectives





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Improve relations between local and regional institutional actors and the governance of water resources and agro-forestry ecosystems in the Middle Brenta area, managing conflicts between different land uses.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

To increase the economic sustainability and multifunctionality of farms through the economic enhancement of the groundwater recharge service and protection of water conservation areas.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Disseminate knowledge about the constraints related to safeguard areas and economic opportunities related to good infiltration and phytopurification practices.

GO Brenta 2030, step by step

2017
The Operative Group is born: the PSR for cooperation

The Operating Group (phase 1 – called GO Brenta 2020 – Measure 16 of the Veneto Region PSR) is a network of public and private entities that work together for better management of the river.

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2019
GO Brenta 2030 Project

The Operational Group launches a project to transform land use conflicts into funding opportunities (phase 2 of Measure 16 of the Veneto Region RDP).

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2020
Training course for farmers

3 rounds of meetings on multifunctionality in agriculture and related funding opportunities. [A 3.1, GO]

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Study on land use and risk of water contamination

In-depth research on farms and possible changes of use that reduce the risk of contamination of the water table. [A 2.2, G]

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Workshops for farmers

Field trips to show local farmers successful examples of multifunctionality. [A 3.2, GO]

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Creation of a demonstration wetland on agricultural land

Conversion of agricultural land into a wetland to increase biodiversity. [A 3.3, GO]

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Project actions

A 1.1 Administration and coordination

Administrative management and coordination throughout the duration of the project, in relation to the implementation of the various activities planned.

A 1.2 Meetings with policy makers and technicians of the sector at regional and national level

There will be a series of meetings and lobbying actions aimed at local, regional, national and sector administrators for water management, to network and discuss specific technical aspects.

A 1.3 Participative activities of territorial animation and coordination with the River Contract

The activity foresees the realization of meetings with local institutions and individual private subjects potentially interested in the new binding activities of the project and its partnership (e.g. farmers) with whom it is considered appropriate to establish a path of synergies and sharing.

A 1.4 Participation in the National Rural Network and PEI-Agri

There will be contact points with the European Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture (EIP-Agri) and with the National Rural Network through the participation in the various initiatives that will be promoted by these realities and inherent to the project themes.

A 2.1 Analysis and mapping of the drinking water service provided by the Middle Brenta areas

The activity involves determining the safeguard perimeter for the water supplies located in Camazzole, aimed at the protection and integrated management of the area affected by the withdrawals and therefore the qualitative and quantitative protection of the water supplies themselves.

A 2.2 Mapping of land use and assessment of the degree of risk of contamination of the water resource

A mapping will be carried out of the agricultural activities present in the area identified as the safeguard area of the water catchment; then the substances commonly used in agricultural practices will be surveyed and a level of risk of contamination of the water resource will be defined.

 A 2.3 Updating, documentation analysis and state of the art on water abstraction activities, imposition of constraints on water protection areas, tariff management

This is a research activity preparatory to the development of a management model (follow-up action). A precise update of the state of the art will be carried out concerning water withdrawal and related skills, the process of defining the areas of protection and related constraints, the situation of tariff management and the possible introduction of environmental components in it.

A 2.4 Development of the management model from an economic, legal-urbanistic and governance point of view

This action represents the core of the project: it foresees the pilot test of the management scheme that will allow to respond to economic, legal, urban planning and governance needs through the inclusion of compensation works in the water tariff.

A 3.1 Training course provided to farmers

This action is functional to the spread of sustainable agricultural practices in the Middle Brenta area. The course will teach about the funding opportunities that arise from an intelligent and innovative management of the agricultural area.

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A 3.2 Demonstration activities on the territory aimed at farmers

Seven demonstration meetings are proposed at companies that have already adopted innovative practices.

> Find out more about support for farmers

A 3.3 Construction of a demonstration wetland

The intervention appears necessary in an area densely cultivated with traditional practices, in order to increase the level of biodiversity and, above all, to provide a demonstration of an alternative use of agricultural areas and the benefits that can derive from it.

A 4.1 Drawing up the communication and marketing plan

The objective of the action is to plan the communication and marketing activities of the project.

A 4.2 Development of communication and marketing tools

It is planned to create the communication and dissemination tools of the project and to raise awareness among the general public through brochures, posters, videos.

A 4.3 Implementation of project conferences and external project presentations

Two conferences and numerous external meetings, including international ones, are planned.

A 4.4 Monitoring of communication action

The activity will be monitored through some specific indicators, such as the number of web page views and conference participants.

Results

  • The GO Brenta 2030 becomes the consolidated and participated territorial concertation table for the management of water resources in the Middle Brenta area
  • An innovative system of remuneration of farms for water services rendered and compensation/concertation for the constraints imposed by the new safeguard areas is defined.
  • The perception of farms towards the adoption and economic sustainability of agricultural practices that contribute to the retention and improvement of water resources is improved.

Partner

Società agricola AGRIFLOOR di Cerantola Paolo & C. s.s (capofila)

Azienda agricola multifunzionale, che ospita un’Area Forestale di Infiltrazione e di fitodepurazione. L’Azienda rappresenta la Rete MultiAgri Brenta, che è costituita dall’insieme delle aziende locali che hanno adottato pratiche innovative per la salvaguardia idrica o sono interessate e disponibili a farlo nello sviluppo del progetto.

Etifor

Etifor is a spin-off of the University of Padua that provides consultancy in the field of responsible management of natural resources; the company is a leader in Italy in the analysis and enhancement of ecosystem services and biodiversity through the definition of innovative financing policies and instruments.

Etra

Etra – Energia Territorio Risorse Ambientali is a multi-utility with total public ownership that has been managing the integrated water service, waste and wastewater management in the Brenta basin area since 2006.

Veneto Acque

Veneto Acque S.p.A., a company controlled by the Veneto Region, has the mission to guarantee the citizens of the Veneto Region full and safe availability of drinking water through the distribution of water resources to integrated water service companies.

Consiglio di Bacino Brenta

The Brenta Basin Council is the Government Body of the “Brenta” Optimal Territorial Area. It is responsible for tariff regulation and integrated water service planning.

Coldiretti Veneto

Established in 1970, the Federazione Regionale Coldiretti del Veneto is a trade union organisation representing people and companies operating in agriculture, related activities and the agri-food industry. As representative of the agricultural sector, it plays roles of technical assistance, training, information and dissemination.

Consorzio di Bonifica Brenta

The Consorzio di Bonifica Brenta is the public body in charge of the constant management and maintenance of existing reclamation works. As the main responsible for the irrigated water resource, it currently has agreements with all the Forest Infiltration Areas in the territory. It will therefore be the body that will represent the interest and that will most interface with the network of farms.

Bosco Limite (Azienda agricola Moresco Adelia)

Multifunctional farm, it hosts a Forestry Infiltration Area that has experimented various techniques of involvement of the private sector, public and civil society. It is an example that is visited by all the institutions of the territory and has been realized through a wide participation activity.

Impresa Verde Padova

The service company Impresa Verde was created to respond to the growing need for assistance in services from agricultural enterprises and citizens. It works in agreement with Coldiretti Veneto.

Valerio Luigino e F.lli

Traditional farm that will host the demonstration wetland, characterized by innovation and multifunctionality.

Supporters

Girolibero, Fondazione G.E. Ghirardi ONLUS, FSC® Italia, Sgambaro

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