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The Brenta River and its wetlands represent one of the most important ecosystems for biodiversity in the Veneto region. The Natura 2000 site “Grave e Zone Umide della Brenta” hosts a variety of species of fauna and flora of community interest, but anthropogenic pressures and climate change threaten their survival. The MAP-Brenta project is promoted under the NBFC research program, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with the goal of strengthening the management and conservation of this important ecosystem. Through thorough scientific analysis and active participation from the local community, MAP-Brenta aims to fill existing knowledge gaps and define targeted conservation and restoration interventions.

Despite growing awareness of complex challenges such as climate change and the alarming depletion of water resources, agricultural systems are still often managed by addressing water, energy, and food production issues in isolation—overlooking the deep interconnections between these elements.
As agricultural water demand increases, there is an urgent need to move beyond this siloed approach and foster innovation by integrating technological solutions and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

In the Bergamo and Crema lowlands—an area still deeply rooted in rural and agricultural traditions—challenges emerge due to administrative fragmentation and lack of territorial coordination. Small municipalities often struggle to plan and implement effective ecological interventions. While sustainable and organic farming practices do exist, they are isolated, unstructured, and disconnected from local supply chains. There is no stable network among local actors to guide the ecological transition, and local communities are not sufficiently involved in biodiversity conservation. Moreover, employment opportunities for vulnerable groups in rural contexts remain limited. A coordinated body is needed to enhance existing initiatives and promote shared, long-term governance.

Like much of the Venetian plain, the Sile River’s course has undergone profound environmental, economic, and social transformations in recent years. These changes have led to increased anthropogenic pressures, compromising biodiversity and deteriorating the quality of water and protected habitats.