SER-Europe has released its 2025 Annual Report, showcasing a year of progress in ecological restoration policy, research, and practice across Europe. The report highlights SER-Europe’s expanding role in supporting the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and strengthening collaboration across science, policy, and practice.

A year focused on EU Nature Restoration Regulation implementation

In 2025, SER-Europe played an active role in European biodiversity and restoration policy processes, contributing expert input to the development of National Restoration Plans and technical guidance under the Nature Restoration Regulation. Members engaged across key EU platforms, supporting methodologies for habitat condition assessment, ecological monitoring, and ecosystem recovery planning across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments.

Expanding restoration projects across Europe

SER-Europe continued to deliver a growing portfolio of EU-funded projects addressing ecological restoration at scale. Key 2025 highlights include:

  • Completion of CLIMAREST, delivering a Marine Restoration Toolbox and training resources to support coastal resilience
  • Continued development of ALFAWETLANDS, advancing wetland restoration through Living Labs and policy engagement
  • Progress in TEAM#UP, including development of the Digital Ecological Restoration Toolbox Online (DERTO) for education and vocational training
  • Advancing REDRESS, supporting deep-sea restoration science and emerging financing frameworks
  • Launch of new large-scale initiatives including REBORN, focused on scaling seagrass restoration across North-West Europe

These initiatives demonstrate SER-Europe’s commitment to translating restoration science into practical, scalable action.

Working groups strengthening restoration knowledge and capacity

SER-Europe’s working groups continued to play a central role in advancing knowledge and coordination:

  • The Marine Restoration Working Group developed tools and strategic frameworks to support marine ecosystem restoration and cross-sector collaboration
  • The Legal Working Group produced policy briefs and legal analyses to support implementation of EU restoration legislation
  • The Education and Training Working Group strengthened capacity building and professional development, including student engagement and new institutional initiatives

Growing European restoration network

In 2025, SER-Europe’s membership and affiliate network continued to expand, strengthening connections between researchers, practitioners, NGOs, and policymakers across Europe. Enhanced communication activities, including newsletters, webinars, and digital platforms, further improved knowledge exchange and visibility of restoration efforts.

Supporting Europe’s restoration transition

The 2025 Annual Report underscores SER-Europe’s growing contribution to Europe’s ecological restoration agenda at a critical time for biodiversity and climate action. By connecting science, policy, and practice, SER-Europe continues to support the scaling of effective restoration approaches across ecosystems and regions.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report