PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
To address the urgent challenge of nitrate contamination, a significant threat to both ecosystems and human health, LIFE-NITRAZENS aims to create a sustainable and transferable model for nitrate pollution mitigation. Nitrate pollution, primarily from agricultural runoff and improper organic waste management, leads to environmental degradation, including eutrophication and serious health risks like methemoglobinemia and cancer. Despite existing EU regulations, such as the Nitrates Directive, nitrate levels in groundwater remain alarmingly high, particularly in agricultural regions like Spain’s Castilla y León and Aragón, where agriculture and livestock activities contribute significantly to water pollution. The LIFE-NITRAZENS seeks to implement an integrated approach combining citizen science, public awareness, and behavioral change initiatives. Through direct citizen involvement in monitoring nitrate levels, the project will foster a deeper understanding of the issue, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and improve nitrate pollution governance. Six pilot areas within the Duero and Ebro River basins have been selected to engage communities and drive behavioral change through hands-on citizen science. In addition, the project will extend through a replicability plan in Portugal’s Mondego River basin, applying the developed tools and strategies to ensure broader use across the EU regions. A central component of the project will be the creation of a Data Sharing Platform for Nitrate Governance, which will compile nitrate data from diverse stakeholders. The project will also implement BMPs for more sustainable fertilizer use, encouraging farmers and stakeholders to comply with environmental laws and adopt proactive measures. The project’s results will be assessed using clear KPIs, ensuring that they are realistic, measurable, and will provide policy recommendations to further contribute to regional, natinal and EU environmental policies.