BEAVER4LIFE
Title: BEAVER4LIFE – Brief Analysis of Vulnerability for Embankment Reinforcement
Acronym: BEAVER4LIFE
Consortium: 6 beneficiaries and 1 associated partner
Coordinator: Unione della Romagna Faentina (Italy)
Partners
- Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna (Italy)
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) (Italy)
- Georisk Engineering S. r. l. (Italy)
- Municipality of Larissa (Greece)
- Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (Hungary)
Associated Partner: General Directorate of Water Management (Hungary)
Project Overview – BEAVER4LIFE
BEAVER4LIFE (LIFE 2025 – Climate Action, Climate Change Adaptation, 48-month duration) aims to develop, test and implement an integrated and innovative methodology for assessing the vulnerability of river embankments to flooding events. The project will make use of advanced geotechnical, hydraulic, geomorphological and geospatial data, with the objective of improving flood risk prevention and management and strengthening climate change adaptation.
Specifically, the project will:
- Develop and test an innovative methodology for assessing the vulnerability of river embankments.
- Identify, at an early stage, the most vulnerable sections of embankments and assess the associated failure risks.
- Develop the BEAVER Toolbox, a digital decision-support tool for public authorities.
- Support the prioritisation of embankment maintenance and reinforcement interventions.
- Contribute to reducing flood risk and enhancing the resilience of areas to the impacts of climate change.
- Strengthen knowledge transfer and the exchange of experience among European public authorities, universities and research organisations.
- Promote the uptake of project results in flood risk management policies and strategies.
Expected Deliverables
BEAVER Methodology
Methodology for assessing the vulnerability of river embankments.
BEAVER Toolbox
Digital decision-support tool for risk assessment and the prioritisation of interventions.
Embankment Vulnerability Assessment
Application and evaluation of the methodology in the pilot areas.
Application Report for the Pinios River
Final assessment of the application of the methodology in the Pinios River area.
Training Activities and Study Visits
Exchange of knowledge and experience among the participating organisations.
Communication and Dissemination Activities
Information, awareness-raising and dissemination of the project results at European level.
The Role of Larissa
The Municipality of Larissa is the only Greek partner in the project and one of the pilot areas for the implementation of the BEAVER methodology.
The selection of the Pinios River area is of particular importance, as the region of Thessaly has experienced severe flooding events in recent years, highlighting the need for modern tools for flood risk prevention, assessment and management.
In Larissa, the project will include:
- Application of the BEAVER methodology in the Pinios River area.
- Collection, processing and utilisation of technical, geospatial and hydrological data.
- Cooperation between the Municipality and the scientific and technical partners for the assessment of embankment vulnerability.
- Assessment of failure risks and support for the prioritisation of potential interventions.
- Preparation of the final report on the application of the methodology to the Pinios River.
- Monitoring of the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project.
- Organisation of an international training Study Visit in Larissa.
- Participation in information, communication and dissemination activities.
Larissa and the Pinios River will constitute an important pilot area for the implementation of the BEAVER4LIFE methodology, contributing to the development and assessment of modern tools for flood risk prevention and management. At the same time, the results arising from the pilot implementation may be utilised in the future planning of civil protection and flood protection measures.
Duration: 48 months
Total Budget: €4,332,247.03
Budget allocated to the Municipality of Larissa: €322,721.63
LIFE funding for the Municipality of Larissa: €193,632.98
Municipality of Larissa co-financing: €129,088.65