New European briefing showcases practical solutions for scaling up nature restoration

A new briefing published by the European Habitats Forum (EHF) highlights inspiring examples of successful nature restoration projects from across Europe, demonstrating that ecological restoration is not only possible but already delivering tangible benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and local communities. The publication comes at a crucial moment, as EU Member States prepare their National Restoration Plans under the Nature Restoration Regulation, which requires restoration measures across at least 20% of the EU's land and sea by 2030.

The briefing presents seven case studies covering diverse ecosystems—from restoring free-flowing rivers and wetlands to reviving grasslands, forests and coastal habitats. Beyond ecological outcomes, the examples underline the importance of stakeholder engagement, science-based planning, long-term governance and cross-sectoral cooperation. Together, they show that successful restoration depends not only on sound ecological interventions but also on meaningful participation, adequate resources and integration with agriculture, forestry, water management and spatial planning.

Among the featured initiatives is the Hungarian Na-Tu-Re project, coordinated by Zöld Kör – Friends of the Earth Hungary, which restored degraded Natura 2000 oak forests through invasive species removal, native habitat restoration and close cooperation with Romanian partners. The project demonstrates how ecological restoration can be combined with environmental education, youth engagement and cross-border collaboration, offering valuable lessons for implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation across Europe.