Background The Corbones is a left-bank tributary of the Guadalquivir river. It has a low water level, and for long periods during the summer the river dries up. Many factors are responsible for the poor condition of the river including water-bearings imbalance, illegal wells, the La Puebla de Cazalla dam, inadequate plant cover protection and plugging. Although it has been proposed as a Site of Community Interest for the Natura 2000 Network, the deterioration and pollution levels are very high, and it is therefore urgent to intervene. Objectives The aim of the project was to promote a new approach to river basin planning and management that is more participatory and open. The project would introduce a system that engages the local population, institutions, private companies and farmers. The main goals of the project were to: • Identify the potential impacts on the water in the basin of the Corbones river. • Set up a water quality control system. • Create a public register about environmental information to promote citizens commitment and management transparency. • Improve water and environmental quality of the Corbones river. • Encourage locals to be more responsible about natural resources. • Plan local activities in a respectful and sustainable way. • Transfer the management experience to other communities. Results The project identified environmental problems, regenerated degraded areas and changed the approach to river basin planning and management. All the results obtained have proved highly successful and valuable. The main environmental benefit is a significant decrease in water pollution levels. Contamination from urban waste water decreased by 95%, ammonia by 74%, nitrates by 77% and phosphates by 84%. More than 5,000 m2 of degraded land was restored for public use, and 13,298 shrubs and 2,556 trees were planted for the regeneration of the original woodland ecosystem. Public amenities were also installed. Specific tools and studies were developed (soil study, environmental diagnosis, cartography, and GIS). The GIS tool was adapted so that it could be used and managed by general technical staff. These tools and documents provide precise and detailed information for public and private bodies and are expected to contribute in the future to an improved management of the river banks, and to land-planning decisions directed towards better sustainability. The main innovative and demonstration aspect of the project was the development and implementation of a system/methodology based on the wide participation and involvement of local communities surrounding the River Corbones basin. The result has been a broader and more participative solution to a problematic environmental situation through the implication of all types of individuals and organisations - community groups, children, public authorities, local organisations and associations, educational centres and the production/farming sector. There was a notable degree of public involvement throughout the project and the large participation and growing interest of economic and institutional bodies. Such interest permitted a general improvement in practices related to the river, and a decrease in pollutants discharges, illegal practices, waste disposal, etc. Several participatory procedures and a set of methods were established: • A system to guarantee free and easy access to environmental information called Register of Environmental Information (RPIM). This database stored and displayed exhaustive information about the water quality that is usually only available through very technical final reports. This system has improved the transparency of exiting information and management decisions and has been the key tool for social participation. • A forum, Platform for the Corbones River protection, which directly involves numerous organisations including the most polluting companies. It sets the basis for an open consultative process. • An Interpretation Centre (CIRC), which became an essential element in the success of the project and has been the key reference point for all issues related to river protection. • Dissemination and educational activities that have raised a notable interest and concern in the whole region about the Corbones River. More than 3,000 young people have participated, and there have been more than 600 guided visits to the river. • A support service for farmers and companies that provides information, advice and technical seminars, in order to further awareness of the need to modify and adapt practice towards sustainability. The project demonstrated an alternative bottom-up approach. It has been highly useful in exerting pressure on the competent institutions and setting up a greater degree of involvement and co-operation between the local and regional public bodies. The control of nitrates (a 77% reduction in the river basin), as well as other water pollutants is directly linked to the implementation of the European legislation (Nitrates and the Water Framework Directives). The participatory approach to tackle environmental problems such as water quality is also an issue included in the Water Framework Directive. Regarding the environmental restoration of degraded areas, the regeneration and enhancement of biodiversity represents a key value for the Environmental European Policy. The project is potentially transferable to any European Union territory with similar characteristics: small basins (approximately 200 Km or smaller) surrounded by rural lands devoted mainly to farming uses. The Information register is a tool that can be easily adopted by any public body or other organisations to bring a valuable transparency of information and management decisions at different levels (local, provincial, regional, national or European). All the other methods and tools also present a good potential for reproducibility. Some potential target groups for reproducing this project are authorities responsible for water matters at a national and regional level (Water Agencies) and other regional institutions.