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Eco-AlpsWater Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the

Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Priority 3: Liveable Alpine Space. SO3.2 - Enhance the protection, the

conservation and the ecological connectivity of Alpine Space

KICK-OFF MEETING

11-12 June 2018 – S. Michele all’Adige (Italy)

MINUTE OF THE MEETING

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Edmund Mach Foundation, S. Michele all’Adige, 11-12 June 2018

Palazzo della Ricerca e della Conoscenza (PRC), 1st floor, room 5

PROGRAM

DAY 1, 11 June 2018 – 14:00-18:45

14:00-14:15 Arrival and logistic information FEM

14:15-14:25 Welcome address

Annapaola Rizzoli (FEM)

Research and Innovation

Centre, Director

Alpine Space program and Eco-AlpsWater – The logic behind

and management

14:25-15:00 - Objectives of the Kick-off meeting

- The project Eco-AlpsWater – Rationale, objectives and

expected results in the framework of the Alpine Space program

- Management

LP1 – FEM (IT)

Nico Salmaso

Eco-AlpsWater – Partner presentations and Implementation of

WPs; deliverables (including Q&A, 5 minutes)

15:00-15:30 PP6 and WP-T1

Innovative monitoring approaches (environmental DNA and

metabarcoding protocols)

PP6 – INRA (FR)

Isabelle Domaizon

15:30-16:00 PP12 and WP-T2

Transnational Learning and Harmonization of Approaches for

Water Quality Assessment

PP12 – SUPSI (CH)

Fabio Lepori

16:00-16:30 PP2 and WP-T3

Joint Assessment: Local Pilot Implementation and transnational

cooperation

PP2 – LFUI (AT)

Rainer Kurmayer

16:30-17:00 Implementation of the project - Project timeline and discussion

(I)

17:00-17:20 Coffee-break

17:20-17:50 PP10 and WP-T4

Implementing the Eco-AlpsWater approach into next generation

biomonitoring and water resource policy

PP10 – LfU (DE)

Jochen Schaumburg

17:50-18:10 PP4 and WP-C

Communication

PP4 – NIB (SI)

Jure Vindisar & Tina

Elersek

18:10-18:45 Implementation of the project - Project timeline and discussion

(II)

Social dinner

19:45-20:00 Pick up at 19:45 (Park near the yellow building; #6 in the first

enclosed map); and at 20:00 (Hotel Drago), with FEM vans

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DAY 2, 12 June 2018 – 8:15 – 13:00 Presentation and role/commitment of partners (cont.) (10

minutes)

8:15-8:25 PP3 - Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and

Prevention of Veneto

ARPAV (IT)

Giorgio Franzini

8:25-8:35 PP5 - Slovenian Environment Agency ARSO (SI)

Aleksandra Krivograd

Klemenčič

8:35-8:45 PP7 - Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture LfL (DE)

Michael Schubert

8:45-8:55 PP8 - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety AGES (AT)

Peter Hufnagl

8:55-9:05 PP9 - ltalian National lnstitute for Environment Protection and

Research

ISPRA (IT)

Claudia Greco & Serena

Bernabei

9:05-9:15 PP11 - The French Biodiversity Agency AFB (FR)

Maxime Logez & Jean-

Marc Baudoin

Management of the project

9:15-10:00 Financial Management of Alpine Space projects AS - Joint Secretariat

Primoz Skrt

10:00-10:20 Example of financial Management at FEM FEM

Riccarda Moser

10:20-10-40 - Coffee break

- Eco-AlpsWater group photos

10:40-11:00 Q&A on the financial management of the project

1st Project Steering Group meeting (enlarged to all PPs

participants and JS)

11:00-12:30 - Establishment of the Project Steering Group (PSG)

- Launch of activities and partnership agreements, structure,

responsibilities and procedures; Project and Financial

Controlling; Internal communication, and coordination within

the partnership

- Implementation of the project in the first period (ending Dec

2018, reporting March 2019) and deliverables.

12:30-13:00 - Discussion and Next meetings

13:00 Light Lunch

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DAY 1 – 11 June 2018, 14:00-18:45.

The meeting is introduced by the

Director of the Edmund Mach

Foundation (FEM), Dr. Annapaola

Rizzoli, who welcome all the

participants, introducing the mission

of the LP institute, and highlighting

the importance of European

cooperation in the Alpine region.

Palazzo della Ricerca e

Conoscenza, FEM, S.

Michele all’Adige (Italy)

Nico Salmaso (NS) - LP1, FEM, Italy, coordinator of the project, introduces the two days as

programmed in the Agenda, focusing on the objectives of the Kick-off meeting, and the

rationale, objectives and expected results of the project in the framework of the Alpine

Space program. It is stressed that, at the end of the meeting, all Project Partners (PPs)

should agree what have to be done, and agree on how to work together effectively; and

make sure everyone has a clear and common understanding of the project and their roles.

Successively, NS presents specific details of the project, highlighting: the logic of the Alpine

Space program; the rationale of the project; objectives and outputs; project structure and

work packages; pilot areas; project Partners and Observers; project history and status;

synergies with other European and Alpine Space projects, namely SYNAQUA, and DNAqua-

net, and HymoCARES and SPARE; planned activities.

The meeting is then followed by the presentation and critical discussion of the Work

Packages of the project.

WP-T1 - Isabelle Domaizon (ID) - PP6, INRA, France. Innovative monitoring approaches

(environmental DNA and metabarcoding protocols).

INRA, hydrobiological station at Thonon

les bains (France)

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ID opens the presentation by illustrating the mission and principal activities carried out at

INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research. Then, ID describes the main

objective of WP-T1, i.e. the set-up of innovative monitoring approaches in lakes and rivers by

tuning protocols based on the use of new NGS/metabarcoding tools (through the analysis of

eDNA) for the assessment of biological quality of water resources. The corresponding

activities include the i) Formalization of protocols to analyze environmental DNA in lakes and

rivers, ii) the identification of smart approaches and guidelines for data storage,

transnational sharing and retrieval of information, iii) Validation of DNA and metabarcoding

protocols, iv) Translation of ecological indicators (WFD) to proxies for important ecosystem

services provided by lake and river ecosystems, and v) organization of technical and scientific

seminars/meetings, and summer school. Following the indications provided in the project, it

is confirmed that the biological elements to be considered in the evaluation of water quality

(and therefore management) will include bacteria and cyanobacteria, phytoplankton (and

protists), phytobenthos, fish. These biological elements will be the object of a detailed set up

of methods, based on the work of different sub-groups of experts. Capitalization of

knowledge will be based on the organization of seminars and summer schools, as well as

through dissemination in congresses and meetings.

WP-T2 – Nico Salmaso (NS), on behalf of Fabio Lepori, PP12 – SUPSI, Switzerland.

Transnational Learning and Harmonization of Approaches for Water Quality Assessment.

SUPSI – Scuola universitaria professionale

della Svizzera italiana

This WP will allow a homogeneous implementation of activities at an Alpine Space level.

Activities include i) Transnational learning on biomonitoring approaches applied in the

Alpine Space area, with special focus on the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Europe

and Water Protection Ordinance (WPO) in Switzerland; ii) Pilot activities – Implementing and

sharing the protocols based on a pre-sampling activity to be carried before the

implementation of the project; iii) Laying the foundation and rationale for the next

generation monitoring approaches, integrating the traditional approaches with the new NGS

technologies. The WP will take advantage from knowledge and results obtained in previous

European projects, in particular WISER. The expected output will include the preparation of

public protocols to harmonize EU and CH approaches for innovative water quality

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assessment in the Alpine Space region based on the adoption of new NGS technologies

(defined in WP-T1, and applied in WP-T3) for the assessment of biodiversity and ecological

status (feeding WP-T4).

WP-T3 – Rainer Kurmayer (RK) - PP2, LFUI, Austria. Joint Assessment: Local Pilot

Implementation and transnational cooperation.

Research Department for Limnology, at

Mondsee (Austria)

RK illustrates the mission and principal activities carried out at the Research Department for

Limnology of the University of Innsbruck, describing the equipment for field sampling and

laboratory analyses, and in-house facilities, as well as the Contribution to national/regional

strategies. Then, RK describes the main objectives of WP-T3, i.e. Improving transnational

cooperation through implementation of innovative approaches in a number of selected lakes

and rivers throughout the Alpine Space region. Specific actions will include i) the set up of

pilot actions plans implementing innovative monitoring approaches, ii) implementation of

local pilot activities in key lakes and rivers, iii) the extension of the approach to the whole

Alpine Space area, involving knowledge observers and stakeholders, iv) the use of new

results to update River basin management plans, v) the assembling of tools and new

approaches in coordination with other EU projects (DNAqua-net), and vi) Expansion of the

cooperation during and beyond project partnership fostering a living Alpine water

cooperation network. RK then goes on to advertise a PhD position at the Research

Department for Limnology at Mondsee (University of Innsbruck) affiliated to the Interreg

(Alpine Space) project “Eco-AlpsWater”. RK highlights the necessity to program in detail and

well in advance the number of samples expected and to organize a detailed workflow for the

sampling, field measurements, laboratory analysis, sequencing, data analysis and data

management, including information on costs (i.e. sustainability of actions).

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Finally, the participants are briefly

informed about the presentation of a

poster by LFUI illustrating the main

objectives and outputs of the project

Eco-AlpsWater at the Forum Alpinum,

the 5th of June 2018 at Breitenwang,

Austria.

Before coffee break, the topics presented in the general introduction of the project and the

first three WPs are discussed by all the participants.

WP-T4 – Jochen Schaumburg (JS) - PP10, LfU, Germany. Implementing the Eco-AlpsWater

approach into next generation biomonitoring and water resource policy.

LfU, View of the official building (Germany)

After illustrating the mission of the Bavarian Environment Agency, JS lists the two expected

outputs of WP-T4, i.e. the development of guidelines to adopt innovative monitoring

approaches for the assessment of ecological status, and restoration actions, and policy

recommendations for implementing new approaches into policy planning and management.

JS briefly review the various activities of WPT4: i) reviewing of the strategies used for the

transnational sharing and retrieval of information by stakeholders and citizens; ii) promoting

adoption of new models of water resources assessment and governance (WFD/WPO) in the

Alpine Space area; iii) organization of Meetings/events organized by government PPs, to

foster adoption of new approaches at the national levels and AS policies; iv) continuous

cooperation with EUSALP AG6, upgrading water policies including innovative water quality

assessment in the Alpine Space area. In reviewing these activities, JS highlights the potential

difficulties in their implementation, especially regarding the transfer of new approaches at

the governance level. Therefore, particular attention and commitment to this specific

implementation of the project will be required by all the partners.

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WP-C - Tina Eleršek (TE) & Jure Vindišar (JV) - PP4, NIB, Slovenia. Communication.

National Institute of Biology, NIB

(Slovenia)

The mission and principal activities carried out at the National Institute of Biology are briefly

illustrated. TE then highlights the principal objectives and WP-C approach, with special focus

on all the numerous activities that will characterize the start-up of the project, publications,

public events and promotional and digital activities. WP-C tasks are clearly resumed and

discussed in relation to PPs responsibilities and available budget. TE then proposes several

examples of logos and design applications that raise a great interest among participants. The

proposed logo and associated elements are heartily approved by all the participants of the

kick-off meeting.

Official Logo of Eco-AlpsWater

Associated graphical elements of Eco-

AlpsWater

The logo and graphical elements have been used for the preparation of official templates for

poster, ppt-presentations, documents etc. The PPs are encouraged to use the new approved

official logo and materials in the implementation of the project activities. Finally, it is

stressed that before preparing any material for the Eco-AlpsWater events, the organizers

should contact TE who will provide correct templates. After events, all final communication

materials have to be collected and sent to TE; this should include also photos, e.g. in front of

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posters, during the meetings, presentations, info days etc. This material is essential for

reporting.

The first half-day meeting is closed with a general discussion of the topics presented by PPs.

***

DAY 2 – 12 June 2018, 8:15-13:00.

The first part of the day is opened by the presentation of the missions and activities carried

out by Project Partners (10 minutes each).

PP3 - Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention

of Veneto, ARPAV (Italy) - Giorgio Franzini PP5 - Slovenian Environment Agency, ARSO (Slovenia) - Aleksandra

Krivograd Klemenčič

PP7 - Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, LfL (Germany)

- Michael Schubert

PP8 - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, AGES (Austria) -

Peter Hufnagl

PP9 - ltalian National lnstitute for Environment Protection and

Research, ISPRA (Italy) - Claudia Greco & Serena Bernabei

PP11 - The French Biodiversity Agency, AFB (FR) - Maxime Logez &

Jean-Marc Baudoin

***

Specific aspects linked to the general financial management in AS projects, and to

applications and examples of financial management are the object of two presentations by

Primoz Skrt (Joint Secretariat) and Riccarda Moser (FEM).

Alpine Space, Joint Secretariat - Primoz Skrt (PS). Financial Management of Alpine Space

projects.

PS clarifies many points linked to Programme expectations, Project finance management,

Project changes, and Reporting. The projects should provide a clear contribution to program

results, following the rationale of the Alpine Space program. Science applications have to be

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only a tool to obtain policy impact and cross-sectoral impact, contributing to relevant

regional, national and EU strategies, especially EUSALP (Action Group 6). Outputs have to be

sustainable and transferable beyond the life of the project. The potential critical aspects in

the financial part are resumed and discussed with PPs, including co-financing eligibility, staff

costs, project assignment and six-monthly task report. As for the budget, flexibility rules are

explained, with examples. Specific aspects of reporting (FLC, LP and PPs roles, creation of a

PP report, list of expenditures) are finally considered.

FEM, Riccarda Moser (RM). Example of financial Management at FEM.

RM reports a few practical examples of financial management, with applications to FEM. RM

reminds PPs that only expenditures which has been certified as eligible by the FLC can be

included in the report. Other examples of applications are provided for staff costs and

assignments, travel costs, external expertise and services costs, equipment (including

consumables).

***

1st (establishment of) Project Steering Group meeting (enlarged to PPs and JS)

The last part of the kick-off meeting is dedicated to the 1st Project Steering Group meeting,

enlarged to all PPs and JS. The 1st PSG will establish formally its member composition.

NS remind PPs that the implementation of management in Alpine Space projects requires a

specific project-related organisational structure based on the establishment of the following

bodies:

1. the Project Steering Group (PSG) as decision-making body as foreseen in article 6 of

the partnership agreement;

2. a Project management team consisting of a project manager, a finance manager and

a communication manager for the operative management of the project;

3. for each WP, one work package responsible taking over the coordination of work

package related tasks and activities.

The PSG shall be composed by competent representatives of all project participants and

shall be chaired by the LP. It shall meet on a regular basis. Project observers shall be invited

to take part in the PSG in an advisory capacity. The PSG shall: i) be responsible for

monitoring the implementation of the project, ii) be responsible for settlement of any

disputes among project participants, iii) have the possibility to set up sub-groups or

workgroups to deal with specific tasks related to the project.

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NS proposes that the contact persons of each Institute (LP and PP) will be nominated

members of the PSG. The present composition of the PSG (members and substitute

members) is reported in Annex 1; in the case of ISPRA (PP9), the member of PSG is Claudia

Greco (whereas the contact person is still Serena Bernabei).

After evaluating previous availability and consensus among PPs, NS proposes that the

Project management team be as follows:

Member Role Institute #

Nico Salmaso Project Manager Edmund Mach Foundation FEM LP1

Riccarda Moser Finance Manager Edmund Mach Foundation FEM LP1

Tina Elersek Communication Manager National Institute of Biology NIB PP4

The LP has the overall responsibility for the operative and financial management of the

project, including internal communication. The communication manager, leader of work

package (WPC) Communication, is responsible for the external communication of the project

and the coherence of all activities with the communication strategy.

The composition of the Project management team is approved by the assembly.

As foreseen in the Application Form, a work package responsible have to be nominated for

each single work package. NS ask confirmation of their role as WP leaders to all the partners

that acted as nominal responsible in the preparation of respective WPs during the project

preparation (WP0) and submission. All the partners agree.

The composition of the WP responsible is reported in Annex 2.

A few final points are then presented and discussed collectively, including the launch of

activities; project controlling (Project Steering Group meetings and documentation, IT-

platforms etc.), internal communication, project and financial controlling, activities and

deliverables.

The meeting closes at 13:00

Rapporteur, NS

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A selection of participants to the kick-off meeting of the Eco-AlpsWater project at

S. Michele all’Adige, 11-12 June 2018

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Annex 1 - Project Steering Group (PSG)

Institute Acronym Code # Member Substitute member

Fondazione Edmund Mach

Edmund Mach Foundation

FEM LP1 Nico Salmaso Riccarda Moser

Leopold-Franzens Universität Innsbruck

University of Innsbruck

LFUI PP2 Rainer Kurmayer Josef Wanzenböck

Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto

Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention of Veneto

ARPAV PP3 Giorgio Franzini Chiara Zampieri

Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo

National Institute of Biology

NIB PP4 Tina Elersek Karmen Stanic

Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje

Slovenian Environment Agency

ARSO PP5 Aleksandra

Krivograd Klemenčič

Spela Remec - Rekar

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique

French National Institute for Agricultural Research

INRA PP6 Isabelle Domaizon Agnès Bouchez

Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft

Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture

LfL PP7 Michael Schubert Christian Vogelmann

Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety

AGES PP8 Peter Hufnagl Stefanie Dobrovolny

Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

ltalian National lnstitute for Environment Protection and Research

ISPRA PP9 Claudia Greco Paolo Tomassetti

Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt

Bavarian Environment Agency

LfU PP10 Jochen Schaumburg Ute Mischke

Agence Française pour la Biodiversité

The French Agency for Biodiversity

AFB PP11 Jean Marc Baudoin Maxime Logez

Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

SUPSI PP12 Fabio Lepori Camilla Capelli

Annex 2 – Work Package responsibles

Institute Acronym Code # Member Responsible for WP:

Fondazione Edmund Mach

Edmund Mach Foundation

FEM LP1 Nico Salmaso WPM - Management

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique

French National Institute for Agricultural Research

INRA PP6 Isabelle Domaizon WPT1

Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

SUPSI PP12 Fabio Lepori WPT2

Leopold-Franzens Universität Innsbruck

University of Innsbruck

LFUI PP2 Rainer Kurmayer WPT3

Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt

Bavarian Environment Agency

LfU PP10 Jochen Schaumburg WPT4

Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo

National Institute of Biology

NIB PP4 Tina Elersek WPC - Communication