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Coordinator: Wetlands International – European Association (WI-EA)

Funding institution: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)

Partners: Stichting Wetlands International (WIGO); Internationales Institut Fuer Angewandte Systemanalyse (IIASA); Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM); Europroject Ood (EP); Global Nature Fund Stiftung (GNF); Landscape Finance Lab – Verein Furinkubation Nachhaltiger Landschaften (LFL); Università degli Studi della Tuscia (UNITUS); Asociatia Wwf Romania (WWF Romania); Okologische Station Naturschutzring Dummer Ev (Natringduemmer); Sis-Ter S.R.L. (Sis.Ter); Centrul Judetean Pentru Protectia Naturii Turism Si Dezvoltare Rurala Durabila Dolj (Cjpntdrd Dolj); Westcountry Rivers Trust Lbg (WRT).

Project description

The EUROLakes project proposes an innovative, holistic, and scientifically sound approach to safeguard and restore Europe’s natural lakes and their ecosystems. Based on the 4 Returns Framework for landscape restoration, EUROLakes adopts a practical methodology aimed at identifying sustainable and long-term solutions at the landscape level, with the goal of achieving four types of ‘Returns’: inspirational, social, natural, and financial. The attainment of these benefits will be realized through five key elements: building landscape partnerships, promoting a shared understanding, creating a participatory landscape vision and planning, implementing coordinated actions, and establishing a continuous monitoring and learning process. The EUROLakes project will establish local communities of practice to co-develop and demonstrate innovative and integrated solutions for the protection and restoration of lake ecosystems, with a particular focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These solutions will be demonstrated in three pilot areas: Lake Vico in Italy, Lake Bistreţ in Romania, and Lake Dümmer in Germany. The project will also include advanced modeling activities and the dissemination of knowledge on nature-related finance, with the aim of ensuring the replicability and scalability of the solutions in other European regions, including Denmark, Ireland, and Moldova, contributing to a comprehensive adaptive management strategy aimed at restoring the ecological and chemical status of natural lakes to a ‘good’ condition.

Expected Results

  • Design and Development of Landscape Approaches:
    Implement integrated and replicable protection and restoration (P&R) strategies for lake ecosystems in Italy, Romania, and Germany using a participatory approach that actively engages stakeholders.
  • Demonstration and Monitoring:
    Execute, evaluate, and adapt specific P&R measures in each of the three pilot areas, with a focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
  • Socio-Economic Transition:
    Provide training on the economic assessment of ecosystem services and sustainable financing to support the long-term restoration of lake ecosystems.
  • Advanced Modeling Techniques:
    Utilize modeling to simulate the impact of P&R approaches on lake ecosystems under evolving socio-economic and climate conditions.
  • Replication and Scalability:
    Support local and regional authorities in replicating the demonstrated solutions through an open call.
  • Cross-Border Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing:
    Facilitate collaboration, share best practices, and align actions with European policies to scale and replicate successful solutions.

 

Policy/social impact

The EUROLakes project will directly contribute to the objectives of various EU instruments and policies, including the Water Framework Directive, the Green Deal, and its Mission’s goal to “restore, protect, and preserve the health of our oceans, seas, and waters by 2030.” The project promotes community participation, fosters socio-economic benefits through the analysis of ecosystem services, and supports the replication of best practices across Europe. It also focuses on long-term environmental and economic resilience, improving water quality and biodiversity while promoting sustainable regional development.

 

Actions and Tasks of the FEEM Team
The FEEM team will play a significant role within the EUROLakes project, contributing both as a partner and as a leader in various Work Packages (WPs).

WP1: Integrated Approaches through Management and Governance
Role: Leader
In this WP, FEEM will lead the definition and implementation of participatory integrated community-based approaches for selecting alternatives within a landscape planning context, with a particular focus on engaging local stakeholders and co-designing landscape restoration strategies. FEEM will support the creation of local partnerships and promote a shared understanding of the issues and solutions for each of the pilot lakes.

WP3: Demonstrations in Pilot Sites
Role: Partner
In WP3, FEEM will play a key role in supporting the demonstration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) at the pilot sites. The team will be responsible for defining the criteria and indicators for evaluating and monitoring the implemented actions, as well as analyzing the collected data to assess the effectiveness of restoration measures at the local scale. FEEM will also handle data management, ensuring compliance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

WP4: Nature Finance for the Transition
Role: Partner
FEEM will play a key role in the economic assessment of ecosystem services, where it will be responsible for quantifying the economic benefits generated by the services provided by the lakes and surrounding areas. This work will be essential in supporting the development of innovative and sustainable financial models to ensure long-term funding for restoration solutions.

WP5: Replication and Knowledge Sharing
Role: Partner
FEEM will contribute to the replication of the demonstrated solutions in other European areas, collaborating on the drafting of replication plans that can be adopted by other regions. The team will work to ensure that the lessons learned in the demonstration sites are shared and can be implemented on a wider scale.