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The third Steering Committee of the RICREA project – Collaborative Network for the Capitalization of REtrAlags – was held in Altare (Savona). The project is funded by the Italy–France Maritime Interreg Programme. 

The REtrAlags project developed a shared model for the sustainable and coordinated management of lagoons, lakes, and ponds in cross-border areas between Italy and France, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of public actions to protect and enhance ecosystem heritage. Building on this experience, RICREA aims to strengthen the resilience of cross-border river, lake, and wetland areas, which are increasingly exposed to the effects of climate change, by transferring the results of the contracts developed under REtrAlags to other natural sites. A key feature of RICREA is the introduction of Ecological Transition Contracts (ETCs)—innovative planning tools that promote cooperation among diverse local stakeholders in the management of natural resources. 

The meeting, held on March 26 at the Museum of Glass Art in Altare, marked a pivotal moment to assess the progress of the RICREA project one year after its launch. Project partners, public administrators, and stakeholders gathered in a spirit of full collaboration to share results, address emerging challenges, and define next steps. Central themes included sustainable land management, networking of best practices, and the design of pilot actions aimed at creating replicable models. 

Throughout the day, the focus was placed on capacity building activities, including a review of the progress of the cross-border twinning initiative, the definition of methods for updating existing contracts, and the launch of sustainability plans for the interventions. In parallel, the first pilot actions—both material and non-material—were launched. The discussion also included a proposal for administrative and financial adjustments, followed by a detailed analysis of the project's financial progress and the definition of reporting procedures. The day concluded with the approval of the communication plan and the organization of cross-cutting and operational activities. 

WHAT IS AN ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION CONTRACT?   

An Ecological Transition Contract (CTE) is a planning and governance tool designed to promote the sustainable and integrated management of natural resources—such as coastal areas, wetlands, lagoons, and river systems—by engaging local communities, public authorities, and stakeholders in a shared and participatory process.  

These contracts aim to support the ecological transition of territories through the identification of concrete actions, shared objectives, and long-term commitments to restore, protect, and enhance ecosystems, while also strengthening resilience to climate change and fostering sustainable development.