The ”Renaturalisation Lab” project in the Lower Orontes (Asi) River region in Türkiye marks a significant step in addressing ecological degradation through science-based restoration and community-led innovation. Implemented in close cooperation with the Municipality of Samandağ and environmental partners across Hatay Province, and coordinated by the Development Policy Foundation (Poland), the initiative is co-funded by the European Union under the DaWetRest (Danube Wetlands Restoration) project, part of the EU Mission „Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” within Horizon Europe.
The Lower Orontes River has long faced environmental decline due to the uncontrolled spread of invasive water hyacinth, which obstructs water flow, disrupts aquatic biodiversity, and threatens the habitat of endangered species such as sea turtles. The project seeks to restore the river’s natural flow dynamics, improve wetland conditions, and strengthen the ecological balance by integrating multiple restoration tools. Mechanical harvesting trials and circular reuse of biomass—as fertiliser or raw material—are combined with biological control strategies using native insects and fungal pathogens. These interventions are grounded in a strong participatory approach that brings together local voices, scientific expertise, and policy frameworks.
A cornerstone of the project is the establishment of a ”Renaturalisation Lab”, a citizen-science platform for gathering stakeholder input and identifying priority areas for intervention. The Lab feeds into the development of a Restoration Roadmap, which consolidates existing datasets, community needs, and technology demonstrations to propose scalable, sustainable solutions. Early project activities also include habitat assessments for sea turtle populations and the deployment of a multi-spot monitoring system to track pollution levels and water quality.
By combining environmental science, circular economy practices, and inclusive governance, the ”Renaturalisation Lab” not only addresses the immediate threat of water hyacinth in the Orontes but also builds a replicable model for climate resilience and ecosystem restoration in vulnerable regions. This initiative demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development through locally grounded yet internationally aligned environmental action.