The Establishment of NAGiS project funded by the EEA

The Establisment of NAGiS project funded by the EEA 

Implementation and project duration

In 2013, the Geological and Geophysical Institute of Hungary (MFGI) was awarded a grant from the European Economic Area (EEA) Grant Fund for establishing the NAGiS. The Establishment of NAGiS project (under the code name of EEA-C11-1) is one of the main elements of the EEA Grants-funded Adaptation to Climate Change programme. The fund operator for this programme is the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), while the donor partner is the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB).

The EEA-C11-1, Establishment of the National Adaptation Geo-information System project lasted from 24 September 2013 until 30 April 2016. The project was implemented in the Geological and Geophysical Institute of Hungary (the predecessor of the Mining and Geological Survey of Hungary, MBFSZ). The National Adaptation Centre (NAC), a unit of the Institute was responsible for the implementation.

Data layers of NAGiS were elaborated by MFGI and partner projects funded by the Adaptation to Climate Change programme of EEA Grants:

  • EEA-C12-11, Long-term socio-economic forecasting for Hungary
  • EEA-C12-12, Extension of NAGiS to the agri-sector (AGRAGiS)
  • EEA-C12-13, Vulnerability and Impact Studies on Tourism and Critical Infrastructure (CRIGiS)
  • EEA-C13-10, New climate change scenarios for the Carpathian-basin region based on changes of radiation balance (RCMGiS)

Objectives

The goal of the NAGiS project was to develop a multipurpose geo-information system that promotes legislation, strategic planning, decision-making and provides the foundation for climate adaptation measures in Hungary.

The three main objectives of the project are the following: 

  • To support climate adaptation decision-making by setting up and operating a multifunctional, user-friendly geo-information database based on processed data derived from several other databases. As a result of the project, a metadata database was also created that facilitates navigation within the diverse data system and provides access to individual elements of it in accordance with INSPIRE regulations.
  • To further develop the methodology for data collection, processing, climate modelling, analysis, and vulnerability assessment for the spatial impact analysis of climate change and related adaptation methods, in line with the Hungarian National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
  • To operate a web-based “one-stop-shop”, a climate policy information hub for all stakeholders, enabling them to obtain reliable, objective information on climate change adaptation and other relevant policy areas through derived and processed data..

Project outcomes can be found here, on this portal: the NAGiS map server, the database and the metadatabase. Reports on our communication activities (events, articles), studies and publications produced within the framework of the project are also available for download.

The Donor for the Project

The NAGiS project is one of the main elements of the EEA Grants-funded Adaptation to Climate Change Programme. The total eligible cost of the project was 1,623,074 EUR, 95% of which (max. 1,541,920 EUR) was granted by the EEA Grants Fund and the remaining 5% was provided by MFGI.

European Economic Area (EEA) Grants are financial mechanisms established by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Until 2016, it was available for 15 EU countries, including Hungary. Norway contributes around 97% of the total funding. The memorandum of understanding – signed in October 2011 – allocated EUR 153 million for Hungary, facilitating the implementation of 12 programmes. Key areas of support are environmental protection and climate change, research and scholarships, and capacity building of civil society.

The Adaptation to Climate Change Programme aims to promote

  • a clear understanding of climate change impacts and vulnerability in Hungary;
  • encourage actions to improve climate resilience at local level;
  • raise awareness of anticipated impacts of climate change; and
  • share experience and best practices of replicable projects that contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change.

The Programme was approved in 2013. Its fund operator is the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC). Implementation is facilitated by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB).

Through the Norway Grants and EEA Grants, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway contribute to reducing social and economic disparities and strengthen bilateral relations with beneficiary countries. The three states cooperate closely with the EU under the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).

For the period 2009-2014, the EEA Grants and Norway Grants amount to EUR 1.79 billion. Norway contributes around 97% of the total funding. Grants are available for NGOs, research and academic institutions, as well as public and private sector actors in the 12 newest EU member states, also Greece, Portugal and Spain. In the framework of the programmes, there is broad cooperation with donor state entities. Activities may be implemented until 2016.

Key areas of support are environmental protection and climate change, research and scholarships, civil society, health and children, gender equality, justice and cultural heritage.

 

Further information on the EEA Grants programs see:

eeagrants.org

 

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