SER Europe (SERE), with support from the SER Partnership Fund, is launching a new initiative to support the creation of national sub-chapters in European countries that currently have no formal SER presence. We invite motivated restoration professionals, practitioners, academics, and organizations to lead the establishment of a national SER-affiliated association or sub-chapter in their country. Successful applicants will receive financial support, tailored guidance, and formal recognition by SER Global and SERE as Affiliate Members.

Why this initiative?

Many European countries lack a formal national-level structure to mobilize the restoration community, engage in national policy, and advance ecological restoration practice. National sub-chapters will:

  • Support implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation at the country level.
  • Adapt and promote SER’s International Principles and Standards in local languages and contexts.
  • Connect research, practice, and policy across universities, NGOs, government agencies, and other actors.
  • Strengthen restoration as a profession through networking, training, and visibility.
  • Share best practices, promote peer learning, and improve restoration quality.
  • Increase public awareness and support for ecological restoration.

Support available

SER Europe will provide:

Financial support

3–4 competitive seed grants (~1,200 USD each) to cover essential start-up costs such as legal registration, notary fees, administrative expenses, and basic organizational setup. Funds may be transferred as a sub-grant or paid directly by SER-Europe to cover eligible costs.

Guidance and mentoring

Successful applicants will receive advice from SER-Europe Board members and advisors, feedback on governance, draft statutes, membership structures, and guidance on initial outreach, member engagement, and communication strategies.

Recognition and integration

New Affiliates Members will be encouraged to apply for official SER Chapter or Affiliate status, gain visibility in SER communications, and join a growing network of restoration organizations across Europe and globally.

Who can apply?

We welcome proposals from countries without an existing SER-affiliated national chapter or association.

Eligible examples include Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, and other underrepresented countries. This is a non-exhaustive list.

Examples of existing SERE Affiliate Members include: CIEEM (UK), GRN (Germany), AEET (Spain), REVER (France), OBN (Netherlands), SPECO (Portugal).

Individual and group members in Europe

Distribution of self-reported home countries among European members, individual and group members. Note: not all members provided their country information.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Informal networks or working groups of restoration professionals,
  • NGOs or academic consortia willing to take the lead in forming a national association,
  • Individuals representing a committed core group ready to build a new organization.

Applicants should:

  • Demonstrate strong motivation and a clear vision for a national SER Europe sub-chapter;
  • Show capacity be listing a core group of several committed leaders and institutions;
  • Be prepared to complete the formal establishment (registration and basic governance) within 6–12 months.

Expectation for successful applicants

Each initiative will commit to:

  • Registering a national association (or similar legal entity) aligned with SER’s mission and values.
  • Establishing basic governance, including statutes or bylaws, a governing body, and a membership model.
  • Developing an initial outreach and activity plan, such as a launch event, and communications.
  • Providing a brief final report detailing legal registration information, governance structure, initial membership and activities, future plans and needs.

How to apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interested applicant should submit a short proposal (4–5 pages in PDF format) including the following information:

Country and context

  • Brief description of the ecological restoration scene in your country.
  • Key gaps and opportunities (policy, practice, education, public awareness, etc.).

Proposed national SER Europe sub-chapter

  • Vision, mission and main objectives.
  • Planned legal form (association, NGO, etc.).
  • Preliminary ideas for statutes and governance.

Core team

  • Names, affiliations and roles of key people involved.
  • Relevant experience (restoration, NGO management, networking, etc.).

Work plan (6-12 months)

  • Key steps toward formal registration as an Affiliate Member (with approximate timing).
  • First activities for outreach, membership, communication.

Budget and use of funds

  • Expected costs for registration, notary, administrative and basic set-up.
  • Any additional contributions (in-kind or financial) from your side or partners.

Long-term vision

  • How the new association will sustain itself beyond the initial grant.
  • How it will contribute to SER’s mission and the implementation of restoration policies (e.g. EU Nature Restoration Regulation).

Those interested can send proposals or questions to: boris.barov[at]ser-europe.org with the subject line: Call for National SER Europe Sub-Chapters – [Your Country]

Join us

This initiative is a unique opportunity to shape the future of ecological restoration in your country, connect with a vibrant European and global network, and give restoration a stronger voice in decision-making. If you and your colleagues are ready to take the next step, we warmly encourage you to apply.