Vision and Mission
SER-Europe, created in 2013, is the European chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, the global non-profit organisation for ecological restoration.
We are a European-wide association, registered in Belgium, with 500 scientific and expert practitioner members across Europe, and globally, including restoration research centres, non-profit organisations and private companies. We operate as a ‘network of networks’ in collaboration with national restoration organisations across the EU.
Our mission foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise among ecological restoration practitioners and scientists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, and to communicate leading‑edge tools, technologies, science, and development opportunities.
Delegates at SERE2024 in Tartu, Estonia
We actively promote standard-based restoration, international best practices and effective restoration policy, and work to ensure that ecological restoration is recognized and utilized as a fundamental component of global conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development programs, enabling restoration projects to provide people with opportunities to repair ecological damage and improve human wellbeing.
Vision – Ecological restoration becomes a fundamental component of European and global conservation and sustainable development programmes, by virtue of its inherent capacity to provide the opportunity to repair ecological damage and improve the human condition.
Organisation Profile
We occupy a unique position at the interface of science, policy, and practice, in Europe, bridging EU and national policy frameworks with on-the-ground restoration expertise. This dual influence enables us to:
- Translate European restoration policies (e.g., the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, Biodiversity Strategy, Water Framework Directive) into actionable guidance for practitioners.
- Facilitate collaboration between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities, ensuring restoration initiatives are science-driven, policy-aligned, and replicable.
- Support projects to meet regulatory requirements, deliver measurable ecological impact, and scale up best practices across Europe.
Visit the SER-Europe Transparency Register at European Institutions.
Organisational Structure:
- Board of Directors: 14 members from 6 Affiliate Organisations from 12 European Countries (9 EU Member States). Meet our Board members.
- Secretariat: 5 members. Meet the team.
- Working groups: 3 groups in Marine Restoration, Legal, and Education and Training. Learn more.
- Membership: 500 members including individual and organisational. Learn more.
Competencies and Team Profile
SER-Europe provides a comprehensive and tailorable package of expertise, combining strategic, technical, and operational support to ensure restoration projects are policy-aligned, scientifically robust, standards-based, and effectively implemented. We collaborate with leading research and practice organisations across Europe, mobilising a broad network of expertise to support projects from design through to implementation and evaluation.
Technical Leadership & Standards:
Supporting training for and implementing ecological restoration principles and standards across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems projects.
Policy Integration:
Translating EU Biodiversity policy and Nature Restoration Regulation into practical, project-ready guidance; supporting policy design, implementation, and evaluation at local and national scales.
Governance & Stakeholder Engagement:
Facilitating multi-level governance, citizen participation, and stakeholder collaboration, including environmental education and outreach.
Applied Restoration Expertise:
Improving restoration expertise and knowledge by sharing lessons learned from existing projects and initiatives.
Expert Advisory and Consultancy:
Appointing qualified experts to support project assessment, technical consultancy, and strategic guidance.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
Advancing and applying methods for assessment, adaptive management, and impact evaluation of projects.
Networking & Knowledge Exchange:
Connecting projects with Europe-wide networks of practitioners, research centres, NGOs, and policymakers, enabling knowledge transfer and scaling of best practices.
Communication & Dissemination:
Delivering targeted communication, engagement, and dissemination through publications, media, and events including the biennial European Conference on Ecological Restoration.
Capacity Building & Training:
Organising workshops, training programmes, and professional development activities to strengthen restoration expertise and support the upskilling of the European workforce.
Working Groups
SER-Europe’s strength lies in its ability to leverage targeted expertise through dedicated working groups, which directly support projects and policy processes.
Marine Restoration Working Group (MRWG)
A Europe-wide network of marine experts advancing restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, developing methods, standards, and toolkits for marine restoration, while ensuring strong links between marine science, policy, and implementation.
Legal Working Group (LWG)
A highly qualified group of environmental lawyers providing legal expertise on EU and national restoration frameworks, supporting the interpretation and delivery of the Nature Restoration Regulation and related legislation, and contributing to policy consultations to ensure projects are compliant and future-proof.
Education & Training Working Group (ETWG)
A dedicated team supporting skills development for restoration practitioners and institutions, facilitating knowledge exchange and professional networks across Europe, and ensuring that restoration projects are supported by qualified and well-trained practitioners.
Strategy Documents and Gender Equality Plan
Strategy Documents (2021 – 2027)
Gender Equality Plan (2022)
Find out more about the current SER-Europe Strategy here.
Contact us
For any questions concerning SER Europe or this website, please contact us by e-mail.