DARKER SKY Project Enters its Final Phase

In the beginning of March, the Hamburg team around Bezirksamt Altona and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences welcomed partners of the Interreg North Sea Project DARKER SKY for what marked the second-to-last partner meeting ahead of the project’s conclusion later this year. With the final conference scheduled for the end of August at the 15th European Conference on Ecological Restoration (SERE2026) in Brest, France, the consortium is now entering the project’s final and most impactful phase.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on progress made so far, including the development of key outputs and deliverables across the project. Partners discussed initial results emerging from demonstrator sites across the North Sea Region, showcasing how locally adapted measures are contributing to reducing light pollution and restoring dark ecological corridors. These pilot sites span multiple countries, highlighting the transnational scope and relevance of the project.

Central components of the meeting were dedicated workshops focused on advancing core project outputs, including the co-design summary and the development of a transnational strategy to reduce light pollution and strengthen dark ecological corridors. The workshop centered on the transnational strategy was led by Monika Radominska from the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS), who facilitated initial steps toward shaping a strategy that is both cross-country and cross-disciplinary, ensuring representation from diverse regional and national perspectives. CWSS plays a leading role in developing the project’s transnational strategy, working closely with a consortium of expert consultants to ensure a robust, science-based, and implementable framework. This strategy will be a key legacy of the DARKER SKY project, supporting long-term efforts to mitigate light pollution across the region.

In addition to the workshop sessions, participants visited local demonstrator sites in Hamburg - along the Elbe River and in Sülldorf. The site visit provided valuable insights into practical lighting adaptations, including a modified lighting installation designed to reduce ecological impact while maintaining safety and functionality.

Looking ahead, the project partners are also preparing to showcase their achievements at the upcoming Trilateral Governmental Conference in Esbjerg, Denmark. This will provide an important platform to share insights, engage stakeholders, and highlight the project’s contributions to environmental protection and sustainable regional development.

As the project moves toward its conclusion at the end of the year, the consortium remains committed to delivering impactful results and ensuring that the knowledge and tools developed continue to support darker, more ecologically connected landscapes across the North Sea Region.