What exactly is the Riverlhab project?

Riverlhab is an Interreg project funded by the European Union involving Italy and Switzerland for the renaturation of the Lura stream. Led by the Lura Park Consortium, with Italian (ERSAF) and Swiss partners (Canton of Ticino Territory Department, SUPSI), the project aims to define common methodologies to intervene in complex river basins and address the impacts of climate change on river habitats in transboundary territory.

How do I participate in Riverlhab activities?

You can participate in different ways: by visiting the travelling exhibition in schools and civic centres, by participating in the Ri.Ver Festival in Saronno from 4 to 6 September, by registering for citizen science activities for the participatory monitoring of waterways and wetlands, or by participating in the stream cleaning days. If you are an administrator or technician, you can follow specific training courses on Nature Based Solutions and climate change adaptation.

Who are the main partners of the project?

The main partners are: Consorzio Parco del Lura (leader, Como), ERSAF, Department of the territory of the Canton of Ticino, and the Professional University School of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI). The project also involves municipalities, provinces, the Lombardy Region, Civil Protection groups, water service managers, the Ticino Water Courses Office and the Environment Division of the Ticino Canton.

What is Riverlhab's overall budget?

The total budget of the project is 1,476,620.34 euros, to which is added a Swiss contribution of 101,200 francs. The funds are intended to finance renaturalization, training, research, citizen science and public events such as the Ri.Ver Festival, as well as the creation of a traveling exhibition and participatory design with SUPSI students.

What will happen to the Lura stream during the project?

The project provides for specific renaturalization interventions in six areas identified along the auction of the Lura stream. Interventions will be carried out throughout the territory with specific objectives at the local level. Students from SUPSI's Institute of Design will contribute to the design of stations and points overlooking the river. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impacts of climate change on river habitats even beyond the end of the project.

Riverlhab: the project that regenerates the Lura stream

By Redazione Frontaliere Ticino (AI-generated text) · Published on 2 September 2026

Lura stream with riparian restoration in progress between Ticino and Varese, showing native plants and natural habitat

Interreg Italy-Switzerland to renaturalize the Lura stream between Ticino and Varese. Cultural festival in Saronno 4-6 September and travelling exhibition in schools.

Context

In brief

Riverlhab: Interreg project for the renaturalization of the Lura stream
Budget 1,5 million euros + 101.200 CHF; festival and itinerant exhibition
Canton Ticino and SUPSI partners; 162 people involved
Ri.Ver Festival in Saronno 4-6 September; exhibition curated by SUPSI

Key facts

What: Interreg project for the renaturalization of the Lura stream and shared ecosystem management
When: Ongoing; Ri.Ver Festival 4-6 September in Saronno
Where: Lura stream between Canton Ticino and the province of Varese
Who: Consorzio Parco Lura (lead Como), ERSAF, Department of Territory Canton Ticino, SUPSI
Budget: EUR 1.476.620,34 + CHF 101.200
Participants: 162 stakeholders and students involved
Intervention areas: 6 renaturalization zones along the stream

It is called Riverlhab and is the Interreg project that brings together Italy and Switzerland to address the renaturalization of the Lura stream, with the aim of tackling the impacts of climate change on river habitats in the border territory between the two countries. The lead is the Consorzio Parco del Lura, based in Como, while the partners include ERSAF, the Department of Territory of the Canton Ticino, and the Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI).

The total budget is 1.476.620,34 euros, to which a Swiss contribution of 101.200 francs is added. The heart of the project is the definition of common methodologies between Italy and Switzerland to intervene in the river basin sections where the relationship between the natural hydrographic network and the human-built environment becomes more complex. The idea is to build a shared and replicable ecosystem management model, actively involving both citizens and local public administrations, to improve the hydromorphological quality and ecosystem functionality of some sections of the Lura stream.

Citizens as protagonists: exhibition, festival, and participatory monitoring

An important part of the project concerns the direct involvement of citizens. Activities of citizen science for the participatory monitoring of watercourses and wetlands are planned, both in the territory of the Parco del Lura and in the Canton Ticino, together with the involvement of associations, schools, and local administrators. The realization of an interactive and multimedia exhibition, curated by the Institute of Design of SUPSI, is designed to deepen the themes of territorial instability and the dynamics of rivers. The exhibition will be itinerant and easily transportable, so that it can be hosted in schools, civic centers, and libraries of both territories.

This is accompanied by the transnational cultural festival – the Ri.Ver Festival – whose first edition will take place in Saronno from 4 to 6 September. The realization of a 'narrative game' is also planned to bring citizens closer to the knowledge of their territory and the good practices of river management, as well as days of cleaning and other activities of citizen activation. Search for participation opportunities in SUPSI projects

Operational details

Comparison tables and sharing of best practices

The project involves the organization of comparison tables between the different stakeholders involved: Municipalities, provinces, Lombardy Region, ERSAF, local Civil Protection groups, water service managers, as well as the Canton of Ticino with the Office of Watercourses and the Environment Division. The objective is to study and share best practices in the management of river areas already experienced in both territories. This cross-border approach allows for a direct comparison between Italian and Swiss experiences, with the possibility of adopting innovative strategies tested in similar contexts.

For local technicians and administrators, the project offers a specific training path focused on integrated design through Nature Based Solutions and adaptation strategies to climate change. The training will include introductory meetings, technical-scientific and managerial modules, in-person and remote workshops, site visits, and the creation of an educational manual. Four public meetings on climate change and active citizenship are also planned. This training approach involves both professionals in the hydraulic and environmental sectors and local administrations in Ticino and Lombardy.

Territorial experimentation and the role of SUPSI

The most concrete part of Riverlhab concerns the experimentation of specific interventions for the renaturalization of riverbanks. Six project areas have been identified along the course of the Lura stream, where widespread territorial interventions will be carried out. Each will have specific local objectives but with significant impacts on the entire river valley.

In this phase, students from the SUPSI Institute of Design will also be involved, tasked with designing viewing points and overlooks on the river as part of their educational path. This aspect transforms the project into a training opportunity also for the Ticino university system, with future designers who can contribute concretely to the regeneration of the territory and develop practical skills in the field of environmental design.

Overall, the project aims to involve and train 162 people, including local stakeholders and students, by its conclusion. The activities carried out will lead to two main results at the cross-border level: a common strategy for the involvement of citizens in the care and protection of their territory, and a shared methodology for the requalification and renaturalization of the stretches of the Lura stream. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impacts of climate change on river habitats even beyond the conclusion of the project. Discover the training opportunities for administrators and technicians

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Key points

The Ri.Ver Festival: first appointment in Saronno

The Ri.Ver Festival, the first edition of the cross-border cultural festival, will take place in Saronno from September 4 to 6. This event represents the ideal opportunity for citizens, administrators, and environmental sector operators to delve into the project's themes and discover the cross-border territory from a new perspective. The festival will connect the two territories and bring to the attention of the communities the themes of river regeneration and shared environmental management.

For those who cannot reach Saronno, the itinerant exhibition represents an alternative to discover the project. Curated by the SUPSI Institute of Design, the interactive and multimedia exhibition will be hosted in schools, civic centers, and libraries of both territories. This itinerant format allows reaching a wider audience, from schools to local communities, to raise awareness on the themes of territorial decay and river dynamics. The portability of the exhibition ensures that even the smallest centers of the cross-border territory can benefit from this educational resource.

Active participation and training opportunities

In addition to the exhibition, days of cleaning the stream and other activities to activate citizenship are planned, as well as a 'narrative game' to bring citizens closer to the knowledge of their territory and good practices of river management. These initiatives also allow non-specialists to contribute concretely to environmental care and feel protagonists of the regeneration of their territory.

For interested local administrators and technicians, the project offers introductory meetings, technical-scientific modules, in-person and remote workshops, site visits, and the creation of an educational manual. SUPSI students also have the opportunity to participate in a summer school and contribute directly to the design of the river viewpoints. To stay informed about the dates and participation methods for the Ri.Ver Festival events, citizen science activities, and training courses, consult the project's official channels or contact the Consorzio Parco del Lura. Do not miss the opportunity to discover how your cross-border territory is regenerating and how to actively contribute to this transformation. Discover all job and training opportunities in the environmental sector

Source: varesenews.it

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Riverlhab project?: Riverlhab is an Interreg project funded by the European Union involving Italy and Switzerland for the renaturation of the Lura stream. Led by the Lura Park Consortium, with Italian (ERSAF) and Swiss partners (Canton of Ticino Territory Department, SUPSI), the project aims to define common methodologies to intervene in complex river basins and address the impacts of climate change on river habitats in transboundary territory.
How do I participate in Riverlhab activities?: You can participate in different ways: by visiting the travelling exhibition in schools and civic centres, by participating in the Ri.Ver Festival in Saronno from 4 to 6 September, by registering for citizen science activities for the participatory monitoring of waterways and wetlands, or by participating in the stream cleaning days. If you are an administrator or technician, you can follow specific training courses on Nature Based Solutions and climate change adaptation.
Who are the main partners of the project?: The main partners are: Consorzio Parco del Lura (leader, Como), ERSAF, Department of the territory of the Canton of Ticino, and the Professional University School of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI). The project also involves municipalities, provinces, the Lombardy Region, Civil Protection groups, water service managers, the Ticino Water Courses Office and the Environment Division of the Ticino Canton.
What is Riverlhab's overall budget?: The total budget of the project is 1,476,620.34 euros, to which is added a Swiss contribution of 101,200 francs. The funds are intended to finance renaturalization, training, research, citizen science and public events such as the Ri.Ver Festival, as well as the creation of a traveling exhibition and participatory design with SUPSI students.
What will happen to the Lura stream during the project?: The project provides for specific renaturalization interventions in six areas identified along the auction of the Lura stream. Interventions will be carried out throughout the territory with specific objectives at the local level. Students from SUPSI's Institute of Design will contribute to the design of stations and points overlooking the river. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impacts of climate change on river habitats even beyond the end of the project.