About WISLE

WISLE - Wise with islands

Islands all over the world are facing many common problems: geographical isolation, a lack of local resources (energy, materials, water supply), high tourism pressure on resources and the environment, and declining populations. Food, energy, materials and sometimes even water usually have to be transported in.

The pressure on resources is particularly high in the season, when visitors outnumber significantly the island population. Wouldn’t it be a challenge to make islands independent and self supporting in energy and water supply. Eleven islands in the North Sea Region of Europe and one in New York thought so. A unique partnership of 23 organizations try to tackle the joint problems on islands in the Cradle to Cradle Islands project with the aim to be self sufficient in 2030.

The Cradle to Cradle Islands project works towards clean and healthy futures for islands through the implementation of innovations based on the Cradle to Cradle®, concept. Main goal is to develop innovative solutions in the field of energy, mobility, water and materials. The transnational partnership consists of island communities, governments, research centres, knowledge institutions and companies in the North Sea Region. The Province of Fryslân in the Netherlands is the initiator and leading partner. The Cradle to Cradle Islands project can be seen as a first step in an ongoing process in developing islands towards sustainability in the context of the Cradle to Cradle approach.

Worldwide network

Cradle to Cradle Islands has got worldwide attention after it has been launched in February 2009. Other islands and rural areas are interested in the concept. However, the project will end in 2012. That’s the reason WISLE was born.

WISLE gives us the opportunity to extend the existing network of the Cradle to Cradle Islands project to a worldwide network of partners. It will ensure long term transferability, dissemination and knowledge exchange of Cradle to Cradle Islands ideas and concepts.

The Province of Fryslân in the Netherlands will facilitate WISLE and we hope you will get inspired!

About Cradle to Cradle Islands project

  • C2CI is an Interreg IVB North Sea Region Project with 22 partners from eight countries around the North Sea
  • Leading vision: islands as innovation centers that implement sustainable and Cradle to Cradle® solutions
  • Main goal: to develop innovative solutions in the field of energy, water and materials, using Cradle to Cradle® principles as a guide
  • Project duration: from 1 January 2009 to Summer 2012
  • Total budget: € 4 million (50% European funding, 50% cofinancing by partners).

 

By the end of the project in 2012 the partnership wants to have achieved the following:

  • Islands have become catalysts for new developments and testing grounds for innovative solutions
  • A ‘Cradle to Cradle® methodology’ for islands has been developed
  • Positive results of pilot projects in the field of energy, water and materials
  • Incubator centres have been founded on the participating islands, aimed at further development and implementation
  • Additional funding by investors or funds has been secured to implement the findings in the pilot projects
  • Education among island inhabitants, tourists, children and young people
  • Transnational network of governmental organisations, knowledge institutions, companies and other relevant stakeholders cooperating in clusters.