SER-Europe is pleased to announce the completion of the implementation phase of the CLIMAREST project and the creation of a dedicated resource database showcasing the tools, knowledge, and frameworks developed through this innovative European collaboration on marine ecosystem restoration.
About CLIMAREST
The CLIMAREST project (Coastal Climate Resilience and Marine Restoration Tools for the Arctic Atlantic basin) brought together 17 partner institutions from across Norway, France, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Denmark to develop a comprehensive toolbox for ecosystem restoration and climate resilience in coastal communities. Operating across five diverse ecosystems, from high-Arctic Svalbard at 79° N to the Madeira archipelago at 33° N, the project created a modular framework designed for replication and upscaling throughout the Arctic-Atlantic basin.
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme, CLIMAREST integrated expert knowledge, stakeholder engagement, and innovative nature-based solutions to address the urgent need for effective marine restoration strategies.
SER-Europe’s Contribution
SER-Europe played a key role in the CLIMAREST project. Their contributions were led by Sahar Stevenson-Jones (Marine Restoration Project Officer, SER-Europe), and experts who formed the core part of our Marine Restoration Working Group. Our work focused on establishing a lasting European Marine Restoration Network by promoting knowledge exchange, building capacity, and supporting policy development. The accomplishments of the Marine Restoration Working Group to date are detailed in the published report, “An Ocean of Collaboration: The European Marine Restoration Working Group”, along with their future commitments.
We also coordinated an in-person training in Dublin, produced a podcast series “Resilient Seas,” and hosted 3 webinars on marine restoration which are now shared on the SER Webinar Library. Additionally, we supported the development of the Marine Restoration Toolbox, a core project deliverable to ensure the project’s tools and learnings could be widely adopted across Europe and beyond, and which is now hosted on the SER RRC. Finally, CLIMAREST was presented at both SERE2024 and SER2025 as part of marine specific sessions and training.
Access the CLIMAREST Resource Database
The new CLIMAREST resource database provides open access to all outputs from SER-Europe’s collaboration on the project. This comprehensive collection includes:
The Marine Restoration Toolbox: A living compilation of resources structured around the UN Standards of Practice to Guide Ecosystem Restoration, designed to aid practitioners, authorities, and stakeholders in implementing effective marine restoration. Now hosted and maintained by the Society for Ecological Restoration, the toolbox represents the project’s core deliverable and will continue to evolve with the marine restoration community.
Long-Term Networking Strategy: A strategic framework guiding the Marine Restoration Working Group’s development over its first five years, positioned within a broader “network of networks” under SER-Europe and the global Society for Ecological Restoration.
Resilient Seas Podcast Series: Five engaging episodes exploring marine ecosystem restoration across Europe, from foundational concepts to future visions of sustainable ocean economies.
Training Videos: Recordings from the two-day Marine Ecosystem Restoration training event held in Dublin, featuring expert presentations on the UN Decade Principles, the Marine Restoration Virtual Lab, and knowledge exchange from Arctic–Atlantic restoration initiatives.
Three-Part Webinar Series: Interactive roundtable discussions covering the establishment of marine restoration standards, implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation, and lessons learned for scaling restoration under Mission Ocean and Waters.
Looking Ahead
The completion of CLIMAREST marks not an end, but a new beginning for marine restoration in Europe. Through the resources now available, the Marine Restoration Working Group established under SER-Europe, and the ongoing commitment to knowledge sharing and capacity building, the project’s impact will continue to grow.
The tools and frameworks developed through CLIMAREST directly support the implementation of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation, contribute to Mission Ocean and Waters objectives, and align with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration goals. By making these resources freely accessible, SER-Europe aims to accelerate marine restoration outcomes and contribute to the long-term goal of healthy, resilient marine ecosystems.
Access the Resources
All CLIMAREST resources developed by SER-Europe are now available!
We invite practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore these tools and join us in advancing marine ecosystem restoration across Europe and beyond.
For more information about SER-Europe’s marine restoration work or the Marine Restoration Working Group, please contact mrwg(at)ser-europe.org.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101093865.