The main objective of the NWRM pilot project was to improve the knowledge base on natural water retention measures (NWRM) and their delivery as part of policy implementation. The project has also exchanged knowledge at various stakeholder levels and promoted their implementation in River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and first Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs).

The project achieved the following objectives:

(i) Collected state-of-the-art knowledge, available data and information and best practices in the application of natural water retention measures (NWRM) to manage fresh water precipitation across the EU;

(ii) Provided a detailed assessment of effectiveness, costs and benefits of NWRM, which supported further scenario modelling with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) integrated water modelling platform;

(iii) Developed further a catalogue of measures and case studies, and ensured its continued maintenance;

(iv) Linked NWRM projects and good practice examples across a range of geographies and land use and shared past experiences;

(v) Contributed to the Water Framework Directive Common Implementation Strategy (WFD CIS) and identified or created operational tools that can be used at national, river basin and/or local level to facilitate the inclusion of NWRM in the RBMPs and FRMPs.