“ Current social and economic reality requires a new approach for managing and protecting natural resources. This approach being implemented by i-BEC focuses on reliable and integrated solutions as well as flexible structures that adopt European and International legislation through cross-sector and cross-border cooperation and actions. This framework requires development of innovative means for monitoring and implementation of interdisciplinary/research expertise to empower decision-making mechanisms both to accelerate consultation processes and meet user needs without degrading natural resources.

The i-BEC approach is based on the principle of translating research and science into operational tools and applications for both the public sector and natural resource users. Today, i-BEC provides integrated solutions for its stakeholders that support citizens and local communities.

Seven years after its founding, i-BEC has proven that knowledge transfer and innovative implementation is a successful model to follow. i-BEC is the data gateway for all levels of public administration through its national and global activities. i-BEC’s role as an international organization is being effectively managed through its International Board and sets an example of how a regional effort can be expanded globally.

i-BEC is becoming a vehicle and pioneering structure for transfer and application of innovation globally.

Prof. George ZalidisScientific Coordinator of i-BEC

In t roduct ion

”

CONTENTS

IDENTITY 7

MISSION 17

STRUCTURE 23

ACTIONS 33

SERVICES & PRODUCTS 39

PROJECTS 63

Ident i tyi-BEC has been a key influencer

in Greece’s environmental research ...

8

The need for integrated management and protection of both transboundary watersheds and natural resources within the context of sustainable development, through innovative applications and effective governance, was the catalyst for establishing the Interbalkan Environment Center (i-BEC) as a flexible, non-profit organization focused on interna-tional actions

In 2014, after seven years of successful work and an active presence in Greece and the Balkans, the former ‘Balkan Environment Center’ became the ‘Interbalkan Environment Center’ and is a flexible coupling organization of the public sector with research communities nationally and internationally. i-BEC is supported by twelve partners representing the academic community and every level of public administration (decentralized, district and municipal). It is also supported by an international board that focuses on paths for sustainable progress in international relations and collaboration with organizations and bodies in the broader Balkan region, Europe and globally

i-BEC was founded on 30 July of 2007 by the concerted efforts of the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, Research Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Municipality of Lagadas within the framework of the project “Establishment of Balkan Environment Center” (BEC) funded by INTERREG III / A, INTERREG III / B

IDENTITY

i-BEC has been a key influencer in Greece’s environmental research with more than 200 publications, mostly in international journals

International OrganizationFacing emerging global challenges, i-BEC acts through a global network in cooperation with governmental organizations, research institutes and the private sector. Within this network, i-BEC provides integrated reliable solutions and services and is actively involved in transnational exchange and application of knowledge and best management practices overseas, in Europe and the Balkans

IDENTITY

10

i-BEC’s international character, combined with the presence and guidance of the International Board, is an example of how local actions can successfully play much wider roles in global cooperation

International Board (IB)As an institutional entity of i-BEC, IB defines paths for sustainable progress in international relations and collaborations with European and International Organizations and Governing Bodies by supporting i-BEC with IB member’s knowledge and experiences that contribute to management and protection of the environment and natural resources

i-BEC, as defined by its International Board is ...

... involved in exchanging knowledge and experience with International Research Institutions

... customizing innovative products, tools and methodologies to meet the needs of national and international end users from the public and private sectors

... developing methodologies and tools that have international application potential and meet the requirements and objectives of European legislation and International Conventions

IDENTITY

11

IDENTITY

12

i-BEC’s role as an international CLUSTER of new technologies and innovation is to link together the public and private sectors for sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment

IDENTITY

13

Global activities of i-BECCooperates with the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations of the United Nations and is a participating organization of GEO

Organizes a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) called «INEU-Innovative Europe»

Works with the «Watershed Research Institute» in the United StatesDevelops actions with other countries of the Black-Sea Region, Europe and the United States in co-funded projects

Constitutes a focal point of monitoring forest fire for Balkan countries under the auspices of the United Nations and the International Strategy Disaster Reduction, as part of the Global Wildland Fire Network - UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and a member of the GOFC/GOLD Fire Monitoring and Mapping Team

i-BEC engages in the development and operational management of integrated information systems to manage environmental data to support development initiatives, entrepreneurship and competitiveness in multiple sectors of the regional economy and society. These applications are designed to serve the needs of territorially focused policy makers, businesses and the public at regional, national and international levels. The underlying architecture and operational management of these systems forms the basis for sustainable use of environmental data, fully compatible with international standards established by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) of the United Nations and guidelines of the European Union that adopt the approach ‘act local- think global’ including all operational areas of GEO

IDENTITY

Societal Benefit Areas of GEO:

Promoting sustainable agriculture and primary production

Conserving biodiversity

Addressing climate change and its impacts

Protecting against natural and man made disasters

Managing ecosystem structure and function

Managing energy sources

Understanding environmental hazards to human and enviromental health

Protecting water resources

Improving weather forecasting

i-BEC is responsible for implementing the first programme in Greece that complies entirely to the principles of GEO, transforming GEOSS data into services for the end users. Environmental data management system for entrepreneurship and competitiveness support (MIS 482385) under the Operational programme “Digital Convergence” will provide numerous digital services for the sustainable use of natural resources in the context of agricultural and coastal management practices

Miss ioni-BEC’s basic mission is to ensure

benefits for both the environment and the society ...

“Our basic mission is to ensure benefits forboth the environment and the society”Prof. George Zalidis (Scientific Coordinator of i-BEC)

i-BEC promotes a collaborative approach to sustainable management and protection of natural resources that fosters harmonious socio-economic development in Greece, the broader Balkan region and beyond

Specifically, i-BEC’s mission is about:

Scientific support for governmental structures that implement strategies and policies related to sustaining development at local, regional, national and international levels

Enhanced competiveness of the private sector through sustainable use of natural resources in production processes and activities

Facilitating strategic planning, development & sustainable management and protection of the environment and natural resources

19

MISSION

20

To achieve all the above, i-BEC applies innovative and contemporary approaches:

One stop services - Provision of centralized services for saving time, improving efficiency and ensuring quality

Bottom up approach - Creation of an open dialogue among all interestedpartners and members; providing scientific expertise to the local community to ensure a strong background for actions and projects for sustainable development

Post project support - Ensuring sustainability following project completion

INNOVATION - Taking into account the needs of public and private sectors and most importantly those of local communities, i-BEC innovates, while at the same time:

Offers integrated solutions that address environmental and developmental needs at local, regional and interregional levels

Develops and transfer knowledge to end users

Accelerates inter-sectorial and inter-regional cooperation

Facilitates consultation processes between stakeholders and the governance of social partners

MISSION

Innovation is «translated» into mutual benefits for all partners (win-win situations) without replacing or competing with each other. Public administration uses reliable scientific data to support decisions, while the private sector develops innovated products new business opportunities and jobs creation. Finally, the public benefits by having better resource management leading to improved life quality

Structurei-BEC consists of four distinct

but integrated Departments ...

i-BEC consists of four distinct but integrated Departments ...

i-BEC is a public equivalent organization, and its structure ensures that it has the capability to provide numerous services that support its mission for sustainable management and protection of natural resources. It is staffed by qualified interdisciplinary scientists: agronomists, chemists, biologists, geologists, environmentalists, civil engineers, environmental engineers, economists, cartographers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers

I. Administrative Support

PROJECT ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT

Administrative support for projects

Human resource management, meetings organization & support

ACCOUNTING ISSUES

Financial management of projects, financial progress reports governance

Budget handling & management

LEGAL ISSUES

Guidance on legal issues relating to project proposal & implementation

MANAGEMENT OF SOFT INFRASTRUCTURE

Liaison to universities, local governance structures and other institutions both public and private, at national and international levels

25

STRUCTURE

II. Project Development

FACILITATOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Actuating strategic initiatives and collaborations for the development of European and International programmes (Seventh Framework Programme [FP7], Interregional Cooperation Programme [INTERREG], EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation [HORIZON2020])

SECURING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking and securing funding from National, European and International sources

PREPARATION OF PROJECT PROPOSALS

Designing, drafting, finalizing and submittingproject proposals in all areas of interest

STRUCTURE

26

COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF FIELD, LAB AND EO DATA

Pioneering multilevel monitoring system combining geo-referenced reliable data, in situ data, analytical data from its Certified Chemical Lab, satellite remote sensing data, unmanned aerial and water robotic vehicle data and telemetric data from the largest operational and reliable telemetric network in Southern Europe

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Interdisciplinary approach with contributions from Greek and International academic and research communities to solve complex problems requiring environmental monitoring and management

Development of digital online decision support systems and early warning systems

Development of operational models for managing natural resources

III. Project Implementation

IV . Network ing & Capaci ty Bui ld ing

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL NETWORKING

Searching for potential partners and collaborators aiming at developing and/or participating in environmental-based clusters and organizations Towards this direction, i-BEC:

Is a participating Organization in the Group of Earth Observation (GEO/UN)

Has established a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) for sustainable management of natural resources

Collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) through both participation in the application of GlobWetland project in Greece (monitoring Ramsar wetland with Remote Sensing) and the Earth Observation Principal Investigator (EOPI) programme for receiving ESA’s data for scientific research

Has an strong ongoing relationship with the Israeli Space Agency that has led to significant scientific collaborations

CLUSTERING

Network expansion and improvement of capacity building by the operation of several regional offices (Balkans, Cyprus etc.)

29

STRUCTURE

HELPDESK

Business applications and expertise through interface and knowledge transfer from researchers to Producer Organizations (POs) and end users

CONSULTATION AND MEDIATION

Consultation and mediation between the governance mechanisms and end users to support Green Entrepreneurship and sustainable development (e.g. Public Power Corporation S.A., Egnatia S.A.) to achieve environmental goals and targets as required by legislation and public authorities

SMART SPECIALIZATION AND TRAINING

Smart specialization and training activities for the unemployed, professionals and public servants

Transboundary and interregional transfer, customizing and applying best management practices and environmental monitoring solutions

IV . Network ing & Capaci ty Bui ld ing

24

STRUCTURE

30

i-BEC departments are supported by the organization’s International Board to achieve integrated management protection of natural resources through innovative and reliable tools and services

i-BEC departments are supported by the organization’s International Board to achieve integrated management protection of natural resources through innovative and reliable tools and services

Data Fusion helps i-BEC to provide precise and reliable know-how

for the common benefit ...

Act ions

Design & implementation of methods/instruments and mediation amongst bodies of the public & private sector leading to Good Governance

Interdisciplinary Management & Interpretation of environmental data and scientific support for planning & decision making

Cooperative Development, Implementation & Specialization of innovative tools in coorperation with the private sector in Green Entrepreneurship

Data Fusion helps i-BEC provide precise andreliable know-how for the common to extract benefit ...

ACTIONS

34

ACTIONS RECIPIENTS

Decision-making mechanisms and policy makers

Governmental and non-governmental organizations

Clusters and cooperative organizations

Private sector and citizens

35

ACTIONS

i-BEC provides reliable services and integrated solutionsat national and international level ...

Developing environmental management applications such as geo-databases, decision support tools and early warning systems

Creating cooperation networks and promoting knowledge transfer from research institutions to end users

Developing Protocols for optimizing production processes related to natural resources utilization and entrepreneurship

Organizing Smart Specialization and Training activities

ACTIONS

i-BEC transforms Earth and

Space Observation data to services ...

36

EARTH AND SPACE OBSERVATION WITH GROUND-BASEDINSTRUMENTS, SATELLITE IMAGERY, TELEMETRY, IN-SITU MEASUREMENTS, LAB ANALYSES, UAVS, URVS AND REMOTE SENSING

i-BEC’s EO data and services with examples are:

Management of raw data concerning the pollution control from human activities and the environmental protection of coastal and rural areas

Early Warning System for Critical Incidents and Dangerous Phenomena

Early Warning and Decision Support System for water supply and irrigation management practices

Site-Specific Farm Management

ACTIONS

37

The Uniqueness and Innovation of i-BEC are reflected in its Services ...

Serv ices &Products

41

The Uniqueness and Innovation of i-BEC are reflected in its Services ...

Integration and management of 1. environmental data (telemetry, EO data and validation) in a shared infrastructure

S2. caling applications both geographically (e.g. new regional units, additional groups of producers) and thematically (e.g. development of new crops, utilization of byproducts and waste treatment)

Meeting requirements of local3. ly focused needs of public and private sectors that adhere to international standards (GEO-Group on Earth Observations UN) through the ‘’act local-think global’’ approach

Its innovative structure fosters interdisciplinary collaboration amongst sectors of the regional economy and promotes principles of smart specialization with an emphasis on collaboration and eco-innovation. The added value of services provided by i-BEC lies in the development, operation and expansion of services to both individual users and user groups (producer groups, businesses) to optimize product quality and thus promote emergence of new modes of economic development

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

A 4WD vehicle fully customised to offer teleconferencing facilities, GPS, secure UAV transport, 4G-WIFI transmission for Real –Time Hyperspectral data acquisition and analysis in the field, telemetric transmission to the server of the i-BEC Control Center and connected online Decision Support Systems

FIELD TEAM

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

42

The field team is responsible for maintaining a constant stream of data to the i-BEC Control Center by implementing, installing and maintaining cutting edge sensors into the continuously expanding Telemetry network, or by collecting UAV/URV sensor data. A specially equipped 4WD vehicle provides the necessary support for field operations

Data Collection

Equipment configuration development for local conditions

Installation of

specialised equipmentMaintenance of

specialised equipment

SurveillanceMonitoring using UAV (Hexacopter)

In situ measurements

Communication with the Control Center

Support to end users

ZONATIONS

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

45

SOIL SCANNINGDigital soil mapping in order to capture zones of different management needs is done with a soil scanner equipment (Veris-tech). The mapping is performed in real time during scanning of the field thus providing highly accurate results for Decision Support Systems

MONITORING OF WATER BODIES BY UNMANNED ROBOTIC VEHICLES (AIRBOATS)

Environmental monitoring in coastal areas and inland water systems, is done by URVs deployment, ideal for hard to reach places where the reception data is difficult. Samples regarding water quality, sediment, planktonic, benthic vegetation. Features: low water displacement ensures navigation in shallow waters, lack of keel for easy access to algae, reeds, and to reduce agitation of the water, water sampling and adjustable camera

UNMANNED ROBOTIC VEHICLES

The robotic vehicles are equipped with advanced cameras and samplers

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

46

MONITORING BY UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE UAV (HEXACOPTER)A unique UAV due to it is capacity of multispectral and thermal camera that perform mapping properties associated with quantitative and qualitative characteristics of soil and water bodies, forests, Rangeland land, cropland, etc. Produce information at multiple levels, depending on the needs of recording at high spatial resolution

Monitoring physicochemical and biological parametersespecially in remote and inaccessible areas

Spectroscopy is the study of the absorption & emission of light and other radiation by matter in conjunction with its variation in energy with wavelength

IMAGE SPECTROSCOPY

DEVELOPMENT OF SPECTRAL LIBRARIESSpectrometers are used to make ground-based or laboratory measurements of the light reflected from a test material recording the reflection at 256 discrete wavelengths from blue to near microwave (310 - 1100 nm). Reflectance spectra of earth materials (soil, vegetation) are then measured according to a standardized protocol, both in the field and the laboratory, and eventually are imported into spectral libraries available for further use. These libraries provide a source of reference spectra that can aid the interpretation - classification of hyperspectral and multispectral images providing services, amongst others, on soil mapping and monitoring of mining activities

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

49

TELEMETRY DATA

i-BEC’S TELEMETRY NETWORKi-BEC’s extensive and constantly expanding telemetric network monitors water bodies of North Greece. It consists of 150 Telemetry Energy Independent (photovoltaic panels) Stations with Multiparameter Measuring Sensors (Low power measuring equipment) and a Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) for local storage and broadcasting the stations data to the i-BEC Control Center via GPRS

50

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

CHEMICAL ANALYSISi-BEC’s Chemical Laboratory is one of the most modern and fully equipped chemical laboratories of Northern Greece and Greece in general. The existing laboratorial infrastructure and facilities are fully exploited by experienced scientists ensuring reliable services and analyses. All analyses are done according to the National Standards and the Laboratory is accredited by the National Council of Accreditation (E.S.Y.D) based on the ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (Certificate of Accreditation with No.720) standard

LABORATORY DATA

REMOTE SENSING & GIS

CONTRIBUTION TO THE GREEK FIRE RISK INDEXThis index is estimated from satellite images and meteorological data. It is produced on a daily basis for the whole country during May-October and is made available via the internet. The end product is used by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection to issue alerts for fire danger

SOIL MAPPINGAdvanced soil classification mapping which leads to nutrient status using GIS tools. Maps were produced by using advanced spatial interpolation techniques derived from digitized soil samples

SOIL EROSION RISK ASSESSMENTΙn the Strymon River basin, the Unit Stream Power Erosion and Deposition (USPED) model was used to estimate soil erosion risk at the basin scale. Soil erosion factors were modeled using rainfall data from meteorological stations, soil texture, vegetation cover from MODIS satellite images, and a digital elevation model [RIVERALERT project]

52

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

BURNED AREA MAPPINGPost fire evaluation using automated DSS with object and pixel oriented classification. Several projects related to fire mapping have been carried out in Greece and the Mediterranean including megafire of Peloponnese in 2007. Advanced classification techniques have been used to process satellite images of various scales. The resulting maps are useful in assessing damages and designing management plans

UPDATING OF THE IRRIGATION WELLS MAP

Numerous irrigation wells of Lake Koronia basin were recorded, using spatial statistics, the irrigated area and irrigation intensity were estimated using satellite remote sensing. i-BEC was able to suggest management actions for sustainable use of water resources of the basin in relation to the on-going lake restoration plan

Chl–a, Surface water temperature and Total Suspended Matter (TSM) mapping in Thermaikos Gulf

Time series of Water Quality parameters (SST) in selected Water Bodies

WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN SELECTED WATER BODIESSatellite images from sensors ΜΟDIS (Terra/Aqua) and MERIS (ENVISAT) acquired in the visible and infrared wavelengths were used for mapping surface water quality parameters of Thermaikos Gulf (chlorophyll-a, total suspended matter, surface temperature) every 8 days

MONITORING REED BEDSThis in-house project used a time series of 30 years of satellite images and overlay analysis in GIS to monitor the progressive invasion of Phragmites australis onto the exposed bottom of Lake Koronia as water gradually retreated

AGRICULTURAL WATER PRICING Satellite remote sensing was used extensively to assess degradation of natural ecosystems in Pinios, Strimonas and Nestos flood plains and to estimate water use and availability. These maps were incorporated into an economic model for estimating operational, environmental and opportunity costs. The results can be used by relevant authorities for appropriate pricing of irrigation water to promote incentives for water savings according to the WFD

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

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LAND COVER MAPPING AND CHANGE DETECTIONSatellite images with concurrent field surveys are used to identify and map land cover, using various image classification methods. Comparison of results for two years revealed changes in agricultural activities and other environmental pressures and impacts on the ecosystems

MAPPING AQUACULTURES Several satellite images were evaluated for use in mapping pole and long-line mussel farms in Thermaikos Gulf. The results showed the location, extent and density of farms in relation to the protected wetland

MAPPING COASTAL HABITATS Various satellite images at high resolution were used to update the old habitat maps, employing image classification, computer assisted photo-interpretation and other digital image processing techniques for several coastal Greek wetlands. The results showed the location of coastal habitats, their changes over time and were used to compute landscape metrics

MAPPING MARINE ΑND TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

Within this LIFE+ project, very high resolution satellite images were enhanced, then used in tandem with echo-sounder scanning to map the location and extents of marine habitats, focusing on Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in Natura sites

56

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

Geological Map of Strymon River basin, with USDA soil texture classification of sampled locations [RIVERALERT project]

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

WEB PROCESS SERVICES (WPS)

58

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

EARLY WARNING SYSTEMSReal Time Flood Warning Systems. Development of flood and erosion risk assessment software tools for civil protection in a river basin while implementing Floods Directive and Desertification Convention [RIVERALERT project]

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WEB GIS APPLICATIONSPlanning and developing tools for implementing actions of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) actions , that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development within strategies and policies of the EU legal framework for water protection, biodiversity protection and sustainable development[EYECOAST PROJECT]

DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMSReal Time Water Quality Assessment Decision Support Systems.Establishment of telemetric networks for water quality monitoring in Greece and Bulgaria and development of a common framework of data processing for collection of comparable, reliable and operational telemetric data [AUTONEST project]

Fusion of different levels of monitoring Data leads to reliable Earth Observation Data ...

SCADA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMCustom software for visual control of an automated irrigation system, interfaced with an Expert System Software. Receives measurements from the gateway (gateway) and simultaneously send commands through the gate, both automatically and manually. Displays the status of the solenoid through virtual counters and features mimic diagram with the structural elements of the irrigation system [CIVILWATER]

DASHBOARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMCustom software for the overall control of all telemetric stations and sensors. Provides visualization both through virtual counters, and through graphs and tables showing selected specific reference periods for each sensor. The system offers mobile device support with tiered access and multiple subprojects. SMS & email, warning service, if the sensor values are not within the permissible limits [CIVILWATER]

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

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INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS

E-HEALTH TOURISM

Creation and support of an Integrated information system for monitoring and supporting SPAs and Visitors

Enhanced Responsible Tourism Experience, providing Water Quality Monitoring & Early Warning DSS Tools for the Evaluation of SPA Treatment Efficiency

Interconnection of water quality and visitors’ health needs offering personalized Nutritional Support (in connection with high quality supplements from algae and phytoplankton & zooplankton species), Medical monitoring & Reporting along with Health & Rehabilitation Tools

EARTH OBSERVATION SERVICES FOR REDUCED INPUT AGRICULTURE (PRECISION AGRICULTURE)

Providing geospatial data for monitoring and management of inputs on agricultural fields

Sustainable management of soil and water resources and assessment of natural hazards, updating of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and supporting of rural entrepreneurship

Mapping crop yield & soil variability, Monitoring water use & irrigation requirements, Forecasting crop diseases, Mapping weed & insect infestations

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

60

ECO DESTINATIONFusion of various enterprise fields and the development of integrated solutions, leads to strategic planning and establishment of eco - sustainable tourism destinations of reduced ecological footprint

Sustainable Tourism with utilisation of geothermal energy, practices of precision agriculture, e-health and waste treatment & reuse allows for better resources management and an ecological ethos that underpins all touristic activities

ENERGY

Use of geothermal energy for hydroponic systems in green houses

Design, establishment & operation of agricultural greenhouses, development and certification of protocols for production optimization, end product of increased quality with a brand name, clustering of farmers

WASTE TREATMENT AND REUSE

Development of compost quality standards and guidelines with feasibility and action planning for composting operations

e-tools for the effective application of composting in the area and chemical analyzes of the end - product

SERVICES & PRODUCTS

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ProjectsCo - Funded / Public Sector /

Private Sector

Co - Funded

ETCP “Greece-Albania 2007-2013”Eco-DestinationsTourism in Synergy with Energy Efficiency: Creating Eco-Sustainable Tourism Destinations

EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME (ETCP) “Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013”

AUTONESTAutomated Telemetric applications for operational monitoring in Nestos River Basin http://autonet.eu, http://autonest.eu/eplatform

RIVERALERTDecision Support System for flood risks alert in Strymon/Struma River Basin http://www.riveralert.eu

WETLABUSENetwork of reference Labs assessing environmental quality for water uses http://wetlabuse.eu

GEO-PROMOTIONJoint framework for the provision of standardized services to Geotechnical engineers for e-Training on natural risks -civil protection and for promoting access to the labour markethttp://www.geopromotion.eu

AGRO_LESSJoint reference strategies for rural activities of reduced inputshttp://www.agroless.eu

ENERGEIAFostering the use of low temperature geothermal sources through the development of operational exploitation guidelines and green energy solutions of enterprising

CivilWaterApplication standards for the integrated management of municipal water resourceshttp://www.civilwater.eu

PROJECTS

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OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “DIGITAL CONVERGENCE”ENVIRONMENTAL DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIPAND COMPETITIVENESS SUPPORT (MIS 482385)

LIFE+ 2009

ACCOLAGOONSActions for the conservation of coastal habitats and significant avifauna species in NATURA 2000 network sites of Epanomi and Aggelochori Lagoons, Greece (LIFE09 NAT/GR/000343)http://www.accolagoons.gr

EUROPEAN CIVIL PROTECTION

FLINKMANA Stakeholders Linking Framework for Flood Management. Development of the appropriate framework promoting the stakeholders engagement through the preparation phase of a flood management plan to ensure their consistent and effective linking into each stage of the flood prevention-preparedness-response-remediationhttp://www.flinkman-project.eu

ETCP “Greece-FYROM 2007-2013”

SAFE WASTECYCLEOrganization of a network for recycling organic waste from enterprises of the urban fabric which will enable citizens to actively contribute to an alternative waste management and will ensure the protection of public health http://safewastecycle.eu

TERRA-MED Soil degradation assessment and rehabilitation strategies for sustainable land use planning

WET-AIDProtection of human life and environmental health through sustainable management of agrarian landscapes

BLACK SEA BASIN JOINT OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME 2007-2013

ECO-SATELLITEDevelopment of a common intraregional monitoring system using technological assets provided by satellite data and by geomatics facilities & exchanging scientific data and knowledge in the fields of monitoring and protection of marine, coastal and wetland systems for the Black Sea Basin http://eco-satellite.eu

PROJECTS

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Publ ic Sector

BASELINE INDICATORS OF RDP 2007-2013 FOR THE MONITORING OF PESTICIDES AND NITRATES IN SURFACE AND GROUNDWATERResults constitute basic strategy for implementation of River Development Programme by the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food (HMRDF) and therefore for the National Strategic Rural Development Plan for 2007-2013 according to article 11 of EC regulation 1698/2005

UPDATING THE GUIDELINES OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES UNDER DIRECTIVE 91/676 REGARDING PROTECTION OF WATERS AGAINST NITRATE POLLUTION FROM AGRICULTURE The methodologies/model developed and the measures proposed by i-BEC, constitute a definitive instrument for the HMRDF to be consistent with the European Regulation regarding nitrates

OBSERVATORY OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTA control instrument for the HMRDF regarding observation of Rural Development Program (RDP) that drives supporting actions to provide greater utility in agricultural, societal and environmental terms

OPERATIONAL OBSERVATORY FUNCTIONING OF TELEMETRY NETWORK OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER AT DECENTRALIZED ADMINISTRATION OF MACEDONIA AND THRACEi-BEC, acting as a support unit of the Region of Central Macedonia and the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia & Thrace, has evaluated the efficiency of the operational functioning of telemetry stations within the division of Central Macedonia

PROJECTS

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MONITORING OF METEOROLOGICAL AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERSi-BEC provides support to the Region of Western Macedonia - Florina Regional Unit to promote sustainable use of irrigation water by farmers through on-line consulting and updating of existing meteorological and hydrological stations

ASSESSING THE ROLE OF IRRIGATION ON THE WATER BASIN OF THE LAKE KORONIA i-BEC proposed a series of regulatory and institutional measures that can be adopted by the HMRDF and other bodies to save considerable amounts of water while ensuring the economy of this rural area

DRINKING WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION In collaboration with municipalities Mikras, Lagada Delta and Echedoros, all data and proposed management measures were delivered to the Region of Central Macedonia to support the certification and water quality monitoring roles of Municipalities and Municipal Water Supply, Sewerage and Sanitation

DEVELOPMENT OF A RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE MAVRUDA WETLANDThe goal of this i-BEC project is identification of the steps necessary to achieve the restoration of the Mavruda wetland

OPERATIONAL MONITORING OF THE STRYMON RIVER BASIN UNDER THE EU WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE 2000/60/ECThe goal was to support the actions of the Water Directorate of Central Macedonia on the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC

PROJECTS

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Pr ivate Sector

ENVIRONMENTAL HIGHWAY OBSERVATORY (E-HIGHWAY) 2007-2013i-BEC has conducted extensive research on pollutant indicators according to the legislation of the European Union for highways. These methodologies, models and suggested actions developed by i-BEC were aimed at creating a decisive tool (DSS) for both Egnatia Odos S.A. and the Hellenic Ministry of Environment Energy and Climate Change, thus contributing to environ mental protection and sustainable developmenthttp://ehighway.eu

MONITORING PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY IN THE RIVER AND LAKE SYSTEM OF NESTOS-PUBLIC POWER CORPORATION Ιn order to maintain environmental conditions and provide scientific sup port and early warning in case of emergency i-BEC proposed specific outcomes and actions that became decisive tools for the Public Power Corporation S.A. to create policies harmonized with the European Policy concerning environmental pollution matters

MONITORING OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY FOR THE SALTWORKS OF MESOLOGGI, KITROS AND KALLONI (2012-2013)Management practices proposed by i-BEC to ensure high quality production of salt

PROJECTS

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More info about all of our projects at:www.i-BEC.org

PROJECTS

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Publication Credits Material: i-BEC’s archivesConception, design & content: i-BEC’s creative team

This publication is printed with eco-friendly methods