TANIA

There are an estimated c.2.5 million potentially contaminated sites across Europe, of which at least 14% require remediation. Managing contaminated land costs around €6.5 billion per year. 42% of this comes from public budgets. Partners from 5 regions have identified the potential of connecting new and future materials and clean technology to natural heritage protection, in order to address these environmental and economic problems. Through TANIA, they support wide and effective application of nanoremediation for contaminated soil and water. Nanoremediation is a low-cost, safe and effective technique to clean up pollution, improve current treatments and prevent future contamination. Effective uptake is limited by issues concerning technological novelty (need for further R&I, lack of standardised methodologies, patenting and pilot applications, understanding) and the governance model (engaging various policy departments and multi-disciplinary stakeholders). TANIA uses interregional exchange and participation of stakeholders from environmental and innovation fields to address these limitations. Regions are relative newcomers to the concept of nanoremediation. They compare different experiences on techniques to treat contamination, innovation in environmental protection and governance. They improve ERDF policy instruments, thanks to Action Plans defining measures to support more and better funding for nanoremediation, coordinate governance models and evaluation criteria and insert integration between innovation and environmental protection in their strategic focus. TANIA aims to

• Create new business opportunities for enterprises promoting nanoremediation products and services.
• Raise awareness on contamination of EU natural heritage, its effects and the potential of nanoremediation.
• Promote long-term, sustainable regional development and competitiveness: better environmental conditions, consequent improvements to health and increased business opportunities.