The official award ceremony for the SpongeBooster of the Year 2026 took place in Camas, Spain, where the community-driven Spongy Slopes initiative received its trophy from representatives of the SpongeBoost project.

The SpongeBooster of the Year award recognises inspiring restoration initiatives that demonstrate how natural water-retention functions can be restored through practical, nature-based solutions and local action.

Spongy Slopes, led by the Asociación Amigos de la Cornisa Este and Colinas de Camas, was selected as the 2026 winner for its work to restore degraded slopes, strengthen their capacity to retain water and implement a more natural local vegetation.

SpongeBoost Project Coordinator Mathias Scholz (UFZ) was present at the ceremony, together with project partners Carina Darmstadt (DUH) and Aniela Stachnik (CIREF). 

Located in the Parque de Santa Brígida in Camas, near Seville, the Spongy Slopes initiative has transformed around 3.5 hectares of degraded slopes affected by soil erosion, rapid runoff and poor soils.         

Lavender growing across the Spongy Slopes. Planting lavender, thyme, rosemary, trees and shrubs, combined with measures to slow runoff, helps water infiltrate the soil and remain in the landscape.

The visit also highlighted the strong community effort behind the restoration. The digging of the drainage trenches and planting were carried out on a voluntary basis in collaboration with a local school. The City of Camas also supported the project. In addition to implementing the measures, the local climate conditions made it difficult to care for the small seedlings. Volunteers continued watering young plants throughout the summer, including during periods of temperatures around 40°C, helping the new vegetation survive the extreme heat.

The official presentation of the trophy marks another milestone for Spongy Slopes and recognises the local community's continued work to restore water-retention capacity and improve the landscape's resilience.