Prebiodunes project

PREBIODUNES continues to inspire and engage local stakeholders and the public in Greece!

The team of CTI working on PREBIODUNES participated actively in the latest PatrasIQ - Innovation Quest Exhibition, held in Patras.

👉Find out more about our project: https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/

Seeing clearly... from above! 🦅📸

Intervention activities have officially kicked off at our Pilot Site Lido Conchiglie Gallipoli. Before starting the restoration and conservation works, we are mapping every centimetre of the coastline using high-precision drone (22 January 2026)

These "eyes in the sky" allow us to create a digital twin of the coast, which is essential for planning the best placement for protective barriers and native vegetation. Protecting biodiversity starts with accurate analysis within the project.

Stay tuned to watch the project evolve! 🌊🌱

https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/

🌿 Life Returns to the Dunes: Project Juniper is Underway!
The vegetation restoration of our degraded dune areas has officially begun. 🌊✨

We aren't just planting trees; we are rebuilding a fragile and precious ecosystem. Today’s true protagonists are the small but resilient young junipers: the first "sentinels" tasked with stabilizing the sand and protecting the biodiversity of our coastline.

📍 Location: [Lido Conchiglie – Municipality of Gallipoli- Puglia]

🌱 Objective: Biodiversity restoration and coastal erosion control.
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/

🌊 PREBIODUNES: Appointment of Tutorship Teams for Coastal Habitat Restoration 🌿
The International Selection and Evaluation Committee has officially appointed the tutorship teams for the PREBIODUNES Project (Interreg VI-B IPA ADRION).

Expert mentors from Politecnico di Bari, ISPRA, and universities partners will guide candidates in developing innovative pilot actions to restore degraded dune habitats and protect biodiversity from tourism pressure.

The restoration efforts focus on 5 strategic coastal sites: 🇮🇹 Lido Conchiglie, Italy 🇲🇪 Velika Plaza, Montenegro 🇧🇦 Klek Peninsula, Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇬🇷 Preveza Coast, Greece 🇦🇱 Dune Spille, Albania.

Our candidates are now ready to start working autonomously on their project ideas to build a more sustainable future for the Adriatic-Ionian coasts.

📂 The official minute is available for download at:
https://www.poliba.it/it/amministrazione-e-servizi/albo/verbale-della-seconda-riunione-della-commissione-internazionale
https://dicatechpoliba.it/it/article/prebiodunes-project

🌿🌊 PREBIODUNES: New Ideas for Healthier Coastal Dunes 🌊🌿
The PREBIODUNES Project has selected 8 innovative research ideas focused on restoring degraded coastal dune habitats and protecting biodiversity from tourism pressure.

The selected candidates will now work closely with project partners, supported by international university mentors and local stakeholders, to turn their ideas into concrete pilot actions.

➡️ Learn more:
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/events/prebiodunes-project-8-innovative-ideas-selected-for-dune-restoration/

📄 The official minutes and the merit ranking are available here:
https://www.poliba.it/it/amministrazione-e-servizi/albo/pubblicazione-del-verbale-della-commissione-internazionale
https://dicatechpoliba.it/it/article/prebiodunes-project

Working together for more resilient and sustainable coastal ecosystems. 💚🌍

Drones and digital twins to restore the dunes of Gallipoli: LIM technology redesigns coastal landscape protection
Drones and "digital twins" to restore Gallipoli's dunes! 🚁🌿 Thanks to LIM (Landscape Information Modeling) technology, researchers are monitoring coastal erosion by creating 3D copies of the landscape. A mix of engineering and nature to protect biodiversity from mass tourism.

Read more and download the abstract: https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/events/drones-and-digital-twins-to-restore-the-dunes-of-gallipoli-lim-technology-redesigns-coastal-landscape-protection/

The dunes of Karpen and Spille are more than scenic landscapes: they are vital natural systems that protect the coastline from erosion and host unique biodiversity. This study, coordinated by Prof. Tania Floqi, is a key result of the Prebiodunes project, developed to enhance dune conservation and promote sustainable coastal management in the Adriatic–Ionian region.

Learn more at the link:
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/events/the-dunes-that-protect-the-coast-the-hidden-value-of-karpen-and-spille/

🌍 From Science to Action: Coastal Dunes for the Future 🌱

🌊 Caring for Coastal Dunes to Secure the Future of Shorelines 🌱

At the 2nd Transnational Event in Rijeka, experts from six Adriatic‑Ionian countries came together to turn scientific insight into real coastal impact. From dune vegetation monitoring and biodiversity sessions to innovative tools like drone photogrammetry and low‑cost video tracking, the event sparked collaboration and new ideas. The Ideas Contest brought fresh proposals to restore degraded coastal dunes, while the Steering Meeting set a clear operational roadmap for 2026.

With nature‑based solutions at its core and synergies with projects like MareSkill and Reconnect, PREBIODUNES aims to harmonise regional action and protect fragile shorelines. The event fittingly concluded with Nelson Mandela’s quote: _“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”_

Visit the website to learn more:
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/events/caring-for-coastal-dunes-to-secure-the-future-of-shorelines-insights-from-the-2nd-prebiodunes-transnational-event-in-rijeka/

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION APPOINTED FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE CALL FOR IDEAS

The Politecnico di Bari’s DICATECh has officially appointed the International Evaluation Commission to assess projects submitted to the PREBIODUNES Call for Ideas.
The Call seeks innovative pilot projects for the recovery and restoration of degraded coastal dunes, protecting biodiversity and reducing tourism impact.

Click the link to learn more:
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/wp-admin/post.php?post=547&action=edit

📄 Download the decree:
https://www.poliba.it/it/amministrazione-e-servizi/albo/decreto-di-nomina-della-commissione-%E2%80%93-concorso-di-idee-la
http://dicatechpoliba.it/it/article/prebiodunes-project

It has been a challenging year, filled with activities and obstacles to
overcome. The PREBIODUNES project is complex, but it focuses on
something that connects us all: the biodiversity of our beloved coastal
and marine ecosystems 🌊🌱

We have achieved important milestones, but the journey continues—there
is still much work to be done, together.

For the festive season, we chose a quote by Jacques Cousteau that truly
resonates with us:
_“In the sea, there is no past, present or future, only peace.”_

With these words, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and
sincerely thank you for your partnership and support.

Here’s to a bright and inspiring New Year 2026! 🥂✨

🌿 2nd Transnational PREBIODUNES Event | – Rijeka, Croatia | 11–12 December 2025

Experts from Croatia, Italy, Greece, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania come together to advance coastal and marine biodiversity protection.

🔬 Technical Session (09:15–10:45)
Project overview, citizen science in plant monitoring, and integrated
coastal dune protection strategies.

🤝 Synergy Session & Expert Panel (11:15–12:45)
Cross-project insights, tools, and methodologies from regional experts and institutions supporting biodiversity and PREBIODUNES pilot actions.

Learn more:
https://prebiodunes.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/events/announcing-the-2nd-transnational-prebiodunes-event-rijeka-croatia-11-12-december-2025/

Announcing the 2nd Transnational PREBIODUNES Event – Rijeka, Croatia | 11–12 December 2025 | ipa-adrion The Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development (FABRI), University of Rijeka, is hosting the 2nd Transnational PREBIODUNES Event, bringing together partners and experts from Croatia, Italy, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania.

Final Day to apply!

PREBIDUNES Ideas Contest – Deadline Extended! 🌿
Great news! The deadline for submissions to the Call for Ideas for the recovery and restoration of degraded coastal dunes has been extended. You now have until 12:00 PM, November 22, 2025 to submit your proposals for pilot actions aimed at protecting biodiversity from tourism impacts.
Project Coordinators: Prof. Damiani (Scientific Coordinator) & Matilda Mali (Project Manager)

📄 Find all documents, the extension decree, and submission forms here:

POLIBA – ALBO ONLINE section, at the link:
For the extension decree:
https://www.poliba.it/it/amministrazione-e-servizi/albo/decreto-di-proroga-termini-del-concorso-di-idee-la-progettazione-di
For the submission form and the call:
https://www.poliba.it/it/amministrazione-e-servizi/albo/concorso-di-idee-la-progettazione-di-azioni-pilota-finalizzati-al

DICATCh (For the extension decree, the submission form and the call):
at link:
https://dicatechpoliba.it/it/article/prebiodunes-project

💡 Don’t miss the chance to contribute your ideas for a greener, more resilient coastline!