Eight areas, four partners, eight years of work in the Scheldt Valley: this was the LIFE Sparc project.
The LIFE Sparc project came to an end on 31 August 2025. The project areas will continue to be managed within the Sigma Plan. With the Scheldt Valley National Park, a strong successor is ready to welcome visitors to this unique nature region in the future.
Our history
In 2017, Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, Flanders Hydraulics and Regionaal Landschap Durme-Schelde joined forces. With support from the European LIFE programme, they set out to develop eight Sigma areas more quickly, thereby realising nature-based solutions that would better equip the Scheldt Valley to cope with climate change.
Our results
A lot has changed in eight years. LIFE Sparc was originally scheduled to end in 2022, but storm surges, new insights and a pandemic led to the project being extended until 2025. Parents, entrepreneurs and guides have become ambassadors for the Scheldt Valley. Eight areas were transformed into climate buffers: places that not only protect Flanders better against flooding, but are also wonderful places to spend time.
Read all about the results of LIFE Sparc in the Layman’s Report.
What do the partners say?
Carolien Pelaerts (De Vlaamse Waterweg nv)
“A lot has happened in those eight years. In 2019, for example, storm surges forced us to impose the winter break sooner than normal in Groot Schoor (Hamme). Fortunately, we were able to continue working smoothly afterwards, and in 2021 Groot Schoor became the first fully developed LIFE Sparc area. The pandemic also caused major delays and price increases for building materials at various locations.”
“In other words: the two-year extension in 2022 was a welcome reprief. It allowed us to complete the depoldering of Groot and Klein Broek in Waasmunster and Temse this year. We will also be putting De Bunt and Wal-Zwijn in Hamme, two flood control areas with a reduced tide into use in 2025.
Evelien de Munter (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos)
“Not that we need to wait to see the impact of LIFE Sparc on nature: in many areas, the mudflats and salt marshes are already showing their best side. By investing in wet nature, we ensure a healthy ecosystem in the Scheldt. As a result, the Scheldt water is cleaner and contains more oxygen. This makes the Scheldt an ideal breeding ground for fish, while the surrounding nature is the perfect nesting place for birds.”
Joris Vanlede (Flanders Hydraulics)
“In addition to fieldwork, knowledge sharing was a key focus of LIFE Sparc. We developed a model to predict the hydrodynamic impact of measures by monitoring water levels, currents and sediment transport. We have now shared this model with our colleagues at Waterdunen in Zeeland and various other European estuaries.”
Bart Mels (Regionaal Landschap Schelde-Durme)
“We wanted visitors to really experience the impact of LIFE Sparc. With climate walks, the Hoogtij festival and later STROOM, we gave thousands of people the opportunity to rediscover the Scheldt Valley. In 2023, we celebrated that the Scheldt Valley River Park was officially designated a National Park. We are ready to continue making the Scheldt Valley thé place to spend your free time in the years to come.”
Life after LIFE Sparc
Would you like to continue following our areas after LIFE Sparc? You can! Each partner will continue their work within this area:
- The Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos manages the new tidal nature areas.
- De Vlaamse Waterweg nv will continue to work on floodplains and depoldering within the Sigma Plan.
- Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium is making its hydrodynamic model available to colleagues in other estuaries as well.
- Regionaal Landschap Schelde-Durme will continue to invest in recreation. Since 2023, the new Scheldt Valley National Park has been the perfect successor to LIFE Sparc.
