The six partners from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK who have come together to work on this project led by a Dutch waterboard, believe that new approaches can be developed to better integrate water management and spatial planning together. To demonstrate their novel approach, the partnership has chosen five pilot projects. Each demonstration project will be looking at three cross-cutting themes: multi-functional land and water use, integral water management (measures taken on water level control to meet all the requirements of surface water users) and thirdly public participation. Mutual learning and cross-fertilisation between partners at transnational level will lead to improved design, transfer of knowledge on innovative techniques, capacity building in participative approaches, development of new tools in public and stakeholder participation. All five pilot projects are part of regional spatial planning and/or water management strategies which aim at reducing economic losses and further develop the economic potential of the areas involved. The partners seek to give renewed impetus to these initiatives through these demonstration projects and provide valuable input to overall regional spatial strategies at European level.