At the International Centre for Traditional Irrigation in Europe IZTB, everything revolves around traditional irrigation. This is operated exclusively with the help of gravity. Accordingly, the supply canals are adapted to the regions and the terrain and the overall aim is sustainable, resource-conserving and energy-neutral land management.
The methods of traditional irrigation are based on ancient knowledge of water and nutrient supply. They are anchored in socio-structural interest groups and individual irrigation farmers. Traditional irrigation includes numerous additional benefits such as pest control, groundwater recharge, flood attenuation and much more. It also serves to promote biodiversity and protect the landscape.
Purpose and functions of the IZTB
- As a supporting institution, the IZTB, based at St. Urban Monastery, forms the common umbrella for Europe-wide organisations and initiatives for the protection, preservation, continued operation and, where possible, reactivation of the last traditional irrigation systems and their unique cultural techniques
- To this end, the IZTB collects and investigates where irrigation facilities still exist, how they can be preserved and where water utilisation systems can be reactivated if necessary
- The IZTB is a knowledge centre for the various traditional irrigation methods in Europe and promotes topic-specific research
- The IZTB creates and operates a central archive including a documentation and information centre for the purpose of awareness raising, (further) education and communication
- The centre maintains contacts with landowners, irrigators, municipalities and interested parties as well as universities and specialist institutions and promotes exchange and cooperation between the various partners and in particular between irrigation communities with their living, traditional and well-maintained cultural techniques
- It invites people to scientific information conferences, exchanges of experience and inspections in the region and organises exhibitions
- The IZTB promotes value creation in connection with traditional irrigation