What’s New

This page brings together the latest news, events, and outputs related to the project and its broader theme.

Project Updates:

FutureLand expert survey now open for responses!

We are pleased to announce that the FutureLand expert survey on nature restoration competences is now open.

The survey aims to identify the knowledge, skills and competences needed for implementing the EU Nature Restoration Law and supporting nature restoration across Europe. The results will contribute to the development of the FutureLand competence framework, micro-credential, MOOC and Learning Labs.

We welcome reponses from experts working in nature restoration, biodiversity conservation, landscape planning, land use management, environmental governance, higher education and related fields.

The survey is available in English, Catalan, Finnish, Italian, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Participate in the survey: Nature Restoration and Landscape Governance: FutureLand survey

Webinar series:

Between January and May 2026, FutureLand organised a series of five international webinars focusing on the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law and related restoration challenges across Europe. In total, 28 presentations were delivered by experts from universities, public authorities, NGOs and other organisations.

The outcomes of the webinar series are currently being integrated into the development of the FutureLand competence framework, micro-credential, MOOC and Learning Labs.

June 2026 – FutureLand partners met in Girona, Catalonia

The FutureLand project partners gathered in hot and beautiful Girona for our consortium meeting and reflection workshop. During the week, we reflected on the progress made on the first year of the project and planned the next steps together. It was inspiring to see how much has already been achieved in such a short time!

We also visited local restoration sites, including restored coastal dunes, which provided valuable insights into the practical realities, challenges and opportunities of ecosystem restoration. Seeing these restoration efforts on the ground reminded us how important it is to connect scientific knowledge, education and real-world practices together.

External News and Resources:

September 2026: News and updates

Highlight 1: Member States submit their draft National Restoration Plans

September, 1 was marked as a major milestone in implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation: Member States were required to submit their draft National Restoration Plans to the European Commission. The plans describe how countries intend to meet restoration targets through 2030 and provide a strategic perspective toward 2040 and 2050. They also need to delineate synergies with water, climate, agriculture, forestry, marine and fisheries policies. The Commission and European Environment Agency will now assess the drafts and provide observations, while Member States remain responsible for their final content. The Commission stresses that stakeholder involvement, cross-sector cooperation and mobilization of both public and private funding will be essential during the next implementation phase.

Highlight 2: Update of EU Nature Restoration Regulation Reference Portal

The European Environment Agency and the European Commission updated the central Reference Portal to support national authorities in structuring ecosystem typologies, baselines, and monitoring indicators for their NRP filings. This portal brings together guidelines, explanatory notes, technical data, reporting materials and information about national implementation. Recent updates include an updated technical reporting manual and technical guidance on identifying widespread habitat types relevant to Article 4 of the Regulation. The portal also provides information on National Restoration Plans and specific restoration targets, including urban ecosystems, rivers, pollinators, agricultural ecosystems and forests. For FutureLand, this resource is particularly relevant because it demonstrates how restoration implementation increasingly depends on common methodologies, data standards and digital information infrastructure—areas closely connected with the project’s competence analysis and educational activities.

Highlight 3: New ecosystem roadmaps connect scientific evidence with National Restoration Plans

Biodiversa+ published a new series of ecosystem roadmaps in September covering marine, freshwater, urban-water and forest ecosystems. The roadmaps aim to translate European research into practical guidance for National Restoration Plans and provide recommendations across three implementation horizons: 2026–2028, the 2030 restoration milestone, and the longer-term 2040–2050 period. The guidance emphasizes that ecosystems should not be treated as isolated units. For example, freshwater restoration is presented at catchment scale, while urban water management should integrate biodiversity, water governance and spatial planning. Standardized monitoring and adaptive management are also emphasized. This is highly relevant to FutureLand’s interdisciplinary approach, particularly its integration of spatial analysis, governance, monitoring and territorial planning.

Highlight 4: Biodiversa+ publishes a practical guide for implementing the Regulation

At the end of September, Biodiversa+ published Getting restoration right together: A foundational digest on the Nature Restoration Regulation. The publication brings together scientific knowledge, restoration principles and practical examples to support people involved in planning, implementing and monitoring restoration. It is specifically aimed at restoration practitioners, project managers, public authorities, researchers, land managers and other stakeholders working at local, regional and national levels. The guide follows the restoration process from assessing baseline conditions through implementation and monitoring to evaluating outcomes and adapting measures. For our FutureLand, the publication is particularly valuable because it reinforces the importance of translating scientific knowledge into usable competences and practical decision-making tools – precisely the transition that the project is addressing through WP2, MOOCs, micro-credentials and Learning Labs.

Highlight 5:  Nature restoration becomes increasingly linked to climate resilience and wildfire prevention

A September publication from CINEA highlighted, how LIFE-funded projects in Spain and Portugal are combining restoration, traditional agricultural and forestry practices, and wildfire prevention. By mid-August, almost 700,000 hectares had burned in Europe, demonstrating the increasing interaction between ecosystem degradation, climate risks and territorial resilience. Projects such as LIFE MARONESA, LIFE ResLand and LIFE AgroForAdapt are testing agroforestry and mosaic landscape approaches that can reduce fire risk while supporting soils, biodiversity and local economic activity. The projects illustrate how restoration can deliver multiple benefits rather than focusing exclusively on biodiversity. They also provide practical examples of the kind of integrated, place-based solutions that FutureLand seeks to explore through Learning Labs and territorial case studies.

Conclusion due to the September 2026 update:

September represents a major transition point for the Nature Restoration Regulation. With draft National Restoration Plans now being submitted, attention is moving from the preparation toward the assessment, refinement, and implementation. At the same time, new technical resources, ecosystem roadmaps, modelling initiatives and practical guidance are strengthening the evidence base for restoration.

For FutureLand, probably the most important message is that implementation increasingly requires an integrated combination of ecological knowledge, spatial and digital competences, monitoring, governance, stakeholder engagement and practical territorial planning. This provides a strong justification for the project’s transition from WP2 competence analysis toward WP3/WP4 learning design and practical Learning Labs.

August 2026: News and updates

Highlight 1: Finland publishes its draft National Restoration Plan for public comments  

Finland has published its draft National Restoration Plan on July 2. The document was meant for public consultations and was a great example of how the EU Nature Restoration Regulation works in practice. The draft talked about forests, peatlands, general water areas, and urban territories, and combines restoration goals with available measures, financing, and monitoring approaches. Finland has emphasized the cost-effectiveness, multi-functionality, and social justice approach while leaving much of the decision-making to future stages of implementation. The public consultation is over on August 27, but the significance of Finland in this case for FutureLand is that it demonstrated linking ecological goals and governance, financing, monitoring, and involvement of the stakeholders within one national plan.

Highlight 2: Finalizing National Restoration Plan Frameworks: July 2026 Technical Release

The European Environment Agency, along with the European Commission, released important explanatory notes and structural data models for the National Restoration Plans in July 2026. This release, which occurred on July 14, laid out the specific forms of data that would be used for reporting about the ecosystems of the sea, farms, and cities with a deadline coming in September. This bulletin also provided precise guidelines for the methodology, with particular emphasis on data related to Article 8 (Urban Ecosystems). Thus, all research projects, including FutureLand, can use this essential information to implement the required data structures that would ensure that all restoration indicators are comparable across the member states of the European Union.

Highlight 3: LIFE projects demonstrate practical solutions for marine restoration

On 16 July, the European Commission’s LIFE Platform Meeting examined practical solutions for restoring European marine ecosystems. The meeting brought together restoration practitioners and experts to exchange experience on how LIFE-funded projects can contribute to implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation. Marine restoration is particularly challenging because ecological processes extend across administrative boundaries and interact with fisheries, tourism, coastal development and other economic activities. The meeting therefore highlighted the importance of scaling up successful restoration practices, improving cooperation and linking individual projects with broader national restoration planning. For FutureLand, the event illustrates the value of moving from isolated restoration projects toward transferable knowledge, practical learning and cross-sectoral cooperation – precisely the type of competence development addressed by the project’s Learning Labs and educational resources.

Highlight 4: European SERE 2026: Linking Science to National Restoration Implementation

Scheduled for Brest, France, in late August 2026, the 15th European Conference on Ecological Restoration (SERE 2026) is designed for academics and people in charge of relevant measures to talk about the problems they face when putting in place National Restoration Plans. One of the thematic sessions organized by the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub deals with the problems of governance, adaptive monitoring, and methods of financing Nature Restoration Regulation. The conference tries to adopt the knowledge from academic circles into the advice for national ministries working on the finalization of their restoration plans. FutureLand gets a chance to furnish this conference with the opportunities to integrate urbogeosystem studies, digital technologies, and places for Learning Labs into the restoration policy in Europe.

Highlight 5:  Earth observation increasingly supports measurable restoration planning

EU Space Imaging’s contribution in July outlined the increasing importance of satellite observations in transforming the aims of the Nature Restoration Regulation into measurable spatial data. As member countries are drawing up their National Restoration Plans, it is essential for the authorities to figure out where restoration is needed, calculate the area that will be restored, and create systems for monitoring changes. High-resolution satellite images will help accomplish this by providing reliable geospatial data across vast territories and monitoring changes over time. The source underlines the importance of reproducibility and verification of the spatial data as part of the national planning process. This development is crucial for FutureLand’s focus on the application of GIS, remote sensing, open geospatial data in the improvement of digital skills of specialists engaged in restoration work.

Highlight 6:  Portugal moves its National Restoration Plan into public consultation

In July, Portugal also took steps toward implementing its national restoration plan by starting a public consultation for it. This happens just before the country has to file its plan – which is aligned with Portugal’s obligation to the European Commission. The case of Portugal is illustrative of the growing relevance of public participation at this final stage of the preparation of national restoration strategy. The public consultation process allows stakeholders to give their feedback on the proposed priorities of the restoration process and its implementation before the finalization of the plan. The case of Portugal together with Finland and Ireland show that preparation of national restoration plans becomes a participatory governance process in Europe. This is particularly relevant to the competence analysis performed by the FutureLand Project, especially with respect to competencies referring to stakeholder engagement.

Conclusion due to the July-August 2026 update

As we look at the two months that have gone by, it is easy to see the vital change taking place in NRL activities: the project is finally moving from the stage of setting objectives to actual implementation. National Restoration Plans are being formulated, consultations are taking place, and scientific research is getting more and more specific about the spatial baseline; at the same time, restoration practitioners are working on methods of scaling up successful approaches.

In the context of FutureLand, this is rather significant. The events of July and August do emphasize how our project is going from WP2 competence analysis to WP3/WP4 education design. Future restoration professionals will have to combine their knowledge of ecology with GIS and monitoring, spatial planning, multilevel governance, stakeholder participation, communication, and landscape-scale thinking.

May 2026: FutureLand News & NRL Updates

Highlight 1: EU coordination on national restoration plans intensifies

The large coordination between the Member States in the EU regarding the development of National Restoration Plans in May was one of many key events that took place in that month. During the meeting of the Directors-General for Nature of the EU in Warsaw, every state provided updates on the various challenges they were experiencing in implementing plans for restoring natural ecosystems, governance coordinating and sharing national experiences. It was noted that as the process of implementation moves towards a more technical and administrative phase of its current state, all countries will transition the broad goals that are developed for restoring ecosystems to implementing them using operational plans. Many EU directors also expressed that they recognized both the ecological goals that are intended and how to balance the goals of the restoration with the realities of the territory on which the restoration will be implemented, and that they will also have to use the institutional capacity to be able to do this. The deadline for the preparation of draft national plans in 2026 is becoming a very important driver of policy activity throughout Europe.

Highlight 2: World Biodiversity Day: EU Connects Local Actions with Global Targets

The EU Commission wants to remind everyone that, through the efforts of Member States, Nature Restoration Regulation results are becoming reality on Earth. Currently, countries are developing NRP. This new information reaffirms that ecological recovery is essential from both an economic and security standpoint-creating €38 in economic benefits for every €1 of cost. To stimulate private investment for the use of the National Restoration Plan, the Commission conducted a high-level workshop to develop a “Roadmap for Nature Credits.” This facilitation effort ties to the June 2026 EU Green Week, which will be used primarily to create a financial model to facilitate commercial capital investment in large-scale restoration projects in urban, land-based and marine environments across Europe.

Highlight 3: River restoration emerges as a flagship implementation area

In May, the Nature Restoration Law introduced river restoration as one of its most apparent ways to restore nature. Recent reports indicate that Europe has reached record levels of river barrier removals during 2025; therefore, there are now thousands of km due to reconnected waterways through the restoration of free-flowing rivers. Restoring naturally flowing rivers is important for biodiversity, but it also helps communities adapt to climate change, reduce flood risks, and restore ecosystems.  In contrast, experts continue to discuss the challenges associated with governance, such as balancing ecological connectivity with the risk of invasive species and the interest of local communities. This issue shows how the implementation of restoration initiatives must be accomplished through long-term monitoring and adaptive management rather than through once-off restoration efforts.

Highlight 4: Citizens Mobilized for Biodiversity Monitoring via Natura 2000 BioBlitz

In celebration of the LIFE Program 34th year anniversary and Recognizing Natura 2000 Day, the European Commission launched a Europe-wide “Natura 2000 BioBlitz” that runs every day from May 21st until the end of May 2026. Citizens and localized citizen groups will use smartphone applications (Apps) and open data platforms to enter species observations to create biodiversity baselines for biodiversity across thousands of Natura 2000 sites. The FutureLand project is benefitting from the Natura 2000 BioBlitz as a prime example of active and participatory (inclusive) principles of environmental governance through crowd sourced geospatial data, to help to fill spatial data voids and support rigorous ecosystem monitoring frameworks outlined in the Nature Restoration Law, that will transition to localized enforcement of the NRL.

Highlight 5: Transdisciplinary governance approaches gain importance

More discussions are emphasizing the fact that the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation cannot be based on ecological expertise alone. New publications have been developed – both scientific and policy-based – that argue for the use of transdisciplinary governance approaches that combine environmental science, social participation, governance co-ordination, and spatial planning. There is also considerable evidence for restoration priorities differing greatly by the ecological, social, and economic context (especially with river restoration studies). This demonstrates an emerging trend of integrated socioecological governance, where restoration will be considered as a territorial and social process rather than simply as an environmental intervention, is of significant relevance for educational initiatives and competency frameworks whether within FutureLand or elsewhere.

April 2026: FutureLand News & NRL Updates

The implementation of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law is becoming more place-based and practice oriented according to April, when it’s stated that governance levels need to be better coordinated, stakeholders need to be more engaged as well as participating in targeted capacity-building.

Highlight 1: NRP Preparation Tool & JRC Technical Helpdesk

As the draft NRPs deadline of September 2026 draws near, the European Commission and EEA are enhancing their support framework to Member States considerably. The NRP Preparation Tool will be updated in April 2026 to provide standardized templates and data models to enable consistent cross-border reporting. Another major development is the Joint Research Centre’s creation of a technical helpdesk providing software and training support for surveyors. This will allow for the harmonization of data at the 27 members’ state level, especially for effective monitoring of both urban and terrestrial habitats. The Commission also wants to assist Member States in moving from theoretical restoration planning to measurable restoration actions that are science based.

Highlight 2: IUCN Report: Interweaving Waters, Forests, and Communities

• “The Interweaving waters, forests and communities” report suggests that an emphasis on social justice is essential for the successful implementation of the Nature Restoration Law. It indicates that a successful National Restoration Plan will incorporate community-led governance, alongside the more technical ecological targets. It has shown that restoration projects based on either forest or wetland restoration focus more successfully on the overall socio-economic well being of local communities.

As a strategic reference for practitioners who will have to comply with the law’s participatory requirements, this publication is a vital resource. Additionally, the report highlights that the deadline of the 2026 submission will be more than just a technical milestone, but an opportunity to enable and establish inclusive and resilient governance of environmental recovery across Europe.

Highlight 3: Agriculture-restoration interface intencifies

The discussions that were captured in April regarding land restoration were centered around agriculture. Many stakeholders have discussed the integration of agriculture and land restoration into a productive landscape while allowing farmers to continue to produce economically. Many of the policy discussions regarding this issue are focused on incentive-based approaches – such as agri-environmental schemes and compensation mechanisms. Additionally, more practices are starting to be recognized for being able to align agricultural production with ecological goals, such as agroecological systems and diversification of the landscape. This demonstrates there is a growing consensus that farming is not just a pressure on the ecosystem but also a potential partner in land restoration activities.

Highlight 4: Local implementation and municipalities in focus

The month of April was significant in turning toward more localized levels with respect to the implementation of restoration measures; interest has now been turned more towards the municipality as a key actor in urban and / or peri-urban settings. In addition, many municipalities across the globe face a number of local constraints including limited technical expertise; a lack of available funding; and gaps in spatial data. This has created demand for practical tools, guidance and capacity-building programs that meet-the specific local needs. There is therefore a significant need for pilot programs and place-based approaches to help convert policy into actual practice on the ground.

Highlight 5: NGO engagement: dialogue in nature restoration

In April, the influence of environmental NGOs was significant through their engagement in public debate and pushing for an ambitious NRL/NRM implementation. Many NGOs used communication strategies that emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and measurable results. Environmental NGOs have also expressed concerns regarding delays or inadequate funding but continue to promote best practices and community-based approaches. At the same time, many organizations are enabling dialogue among stakeholders, including decision-makers, local communities, and land-users, thereby reinforcing the collaborative nature of NRM/restoration governance.

Highlight 6: Germany Launches First National Restoration Plan Public Consultation

Germany’s preliminary NRP has now begun its public consultation period, which runs from late April to June 2026. This will be one of the first major ‘inclusive governance’ assessments required under the Nature Restoration Law. During this public consultation period, all citizens will have an opportunity to provide their comments regarding the proposed restoration methods for peatlands, forests and urban green spaces by scientists, NGOs and the agricultural com-munity. The BfN (the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation) is taking a lead on this initiative, using local information to develop improved methods of conducting the restoration. This represents a benchmark case for our project that shows how a Member State balances scientific and social viability to achieve the 2030 EU Biodiversity Target.

Highlight 7: Implications for education and capacity-building

Further illustrated by the increased complexity of implementing NRL, current discussions taking place this April are calling out for new forms of skill and training approaches to implement NRL. Specifically, there have been references made to inter-disciplinary skills, ranging from stakeholder engagement to spatial analysis to policy integration, as ways to execute NRL. Many projects funded by the EU and Universities have increasingly identified themselves as important resources to help develop these skills. Flexible learning formats including MOOCs, Micro-Credentials, and Practice-Based Learning Labs are now being recognized as effective approaches for training professionals who work in nature restoration.

March 2026: FutureLand News & NRL Updates

Highlight 1:  Council of the EU – policy progress and national roles;
IUCN Insights: A Blueprint for National Restoration Plans)

Throughout Europe, Member States are shifting from strategic discussions to working out the practical preparation of their NRPs under the EU NRL. Member States’ plans are expected to outline specific targets, timelines, and monitoring procedures regarding restoration of ecosystems. The activities carried out to create the NRPs have involved a growing number of regional authorities and municipalities and research institutions, illustrating the multi-level nature of the implementation process. As an example, the referred to report summarizes findings from an 18 month technical assistance project between the IUCN and the French Government to develop an NRP for France. As France nears the September 2026 deadline for submission of its restoration plan, the methodology developed in this project may provide a model for other EU Member States. The results of this project highlight the importance of prioritization of ecosystem restoration, particularly ecosystems that provide both carbon sequestration and climate adaptation services—such as peatlands or coastal wetlands.

Highlight 2: Emerging Urban Ecosystems

The urban environment is increasingly becoming a key area of focus for restoration within the NRL frameworks. In March, there has been a noticeable increase in the level of attention that has been given to internalizing biodiversity considerations into urban planning and development frameworks through discussions by policymakers and expert forums. The concepts of green infrastructure, ecological corridors, and ‘no net loss’ approaches are becoming more widespread as usable tools. Cities are being viewed not only as a source of environmental degradation but additionally, as important locations for ecological restoration and social engagement. The transition to this new view necessitates the development of new analytical methods, such as the use of geospatial tools and participatory mapping, for the purpose of identifying potential areas for restoration within densely populated urban areas. This further supports the understanding of municipalities as key players in the translation of NRL targets to locally applicable activities.

Highlight 3: Financing remains a key challenge

The European Commission announced on 9 March 2026 an investment of over €103 million in three Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs) under the LIFE program. The purpose of these projects is to facilitate the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the NRL over large areas. The funding will support the rehabilitation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by national and local governments in Estonia, Spain and Italy. The aim of strategic projects is different from traditional research grants in that the intention is to incorporate nature restoration into additional policy areas, such as water management and agriculture, in order to mobilize further public and private funding. Within the FutureLand network, this update is a specific example of funding available for large-scale implementation of NRPs, and it is also indicative of how EU funds are being strategically used to go from pilot projects to nationwide restoration.

Highlight 4: Horizon Europe: Leaked Memo Reveals €230M Biodiversity “Mega-Call”

On March 16, 2026, a confidential memo from the EC outlined the first information about a massive €230 million “biodiversity mega-call”. This new round of funding will be part of the European Union’s goal to spend 10% of their whole budget on biodiversity-related activities and falls under the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe work program. The memo also describes ten potential topics associated with closing the “implementation gap” created by the Nature Restoration Law and will focus on innovative and research-based methods. There will be specific areas of focus in these topics such as artificial intelligence-driven monitoring of biodiversity, ecosystem service valuation for national accounts and identifying the technical way forward to restore urban and industrial areas that are currently degraded. This leak is an invaluable opportunity for academic partners involved in Erasmus+ projects to see what the future research landscape looks like for the next two years, allowing them to create their current dissemination activities in line with the European Union’s emerging strategic research priorities.

Highlight 5: FutureLand KKNU Team Publishes Strategy for Post-War Urban Restoration

The Kharkiv National University research group has recently published an important foundational document describing the conceptual and theoretical basis of the FutureLand program’s pedagogy. This reserach is published as a Visnyk article. It contains elements of “Participatory Urban-Ecological Pedagogy” that will facilitate implementation of the binding urban goals of the European Nature Restoration Law. Further, the authors provide an adaptable framework for applying high-level technical diagnostics (LiDAR data analysis, Explainable Artificial Intelligence) in conjunction with community-led learning laboratories. This methodology is particularly relevant to post-war recovery projects, utilizing trauma-informed facilitation to ensure urban ecological restoration is scientifically sound and socially acceptable to community members. Lastly, the authors have created a comprehensive methodology for integrating geospatial science with community engagement in order to support the FutureLand consortium’s efforts to prepare the next generation of landscape professionals to support complex, inclusive urban nature recovery not only in Ukraine, but also – throughout Europe.

February 2026: FutureLand News & NRL Updates

Highlight 1: EU Biodiversity Assessment: “Implementation Must Now Accelerate” 

On February 12, EC published its most recent assessment of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. While it recognizes that a sound legal framework via the NRL is now in place, the report also notes that Member States must implement their NRL’s much faster if they are to reach the 2030 targets. Commissioner Jessika Roswall noted that “restoration is the foundation upon which Europe will build its prosperity, resilience and security”, also focusing on soil health and water management. For the FutureLand project, this indicates a heightened urgency for us to distribute our Project Planning materials. The Commission is turning its attention from policy development to evidence of delivery. This report will serve as a formal “nudge” for Member States to establish their (NRPs with a high rate of ambition. 

Highlight 2: Finance & insurance for Nature-based Solutions — NATURANCE Festival (3–5 Feb 2026) 

• During the annual NATURANCE Finance Innovation Festival held in Brussels from 3rd to 5th February, stakeholders such as insurers, investors, policymakers and practitioners of nature-based solutions (NbS) gathered together to discuss how finance and associated instruments for transferring risk can generate scale in terms of funding nature-positive investments. The discussions incorporated a wide range of topics from innovative insurance programs to protect against risk arising out of an ecosystem approach to new models for derisking investments that support ecosystem restoration at a landscape level. Ultimately, the festival revealed practical takeaways for implementing NRLs: 1) Restoration projects require dependable financing sources; 2) There are a variety of instruments that can support financing for long term ecosystem projects; and 3) These financial tools should meet the resiliency of the ecosystem against climate change. 

The festival highlighted the importance of coordination between public and private partners, the importance of standards and monitoring for unlocking access to capital, and the need to integrate restoration planning into investable pipeline; in essence, a critical bridge between national plans for restoration and the funding available in the marketplace to implement these plans. (NATURANCE) 

Highlight 3: New Technical Guidance for Ambitious National Restoration Plans 

The technical roadmap that EEB and its partners have produced, was created to aid ministries and other stakeholders that are currently developing their NRPs. It examines common issues each of these countries’ experiences, such as identifying Favorable Reference Areas and delineating priority zones that are outside of areas designated as Natura 2000, or protection areas under EU law. The guidance provides assistance in the development of plans which are based on science, are inclusive, and legally compliant, by providing a process for doing so. FutureLand is providing practical assistance to its stakeholders through this report; assistance is derived from the fact that the report provides a foundation from which to assist with transitioning from the theoretical aspect of law to practical world application.

Highlight 4: Launch of the Updated NRP Preparation Tool and Technical Manual 

Highlight 5: Roadmap for a unified European biodiversity monitoring system (EBOCC / EBVs) 

In February, a roadmap was published by some researchers that aims to create a coordinated network of observation across Europe. This would be based on 84 different essential biodiversity variables (EBVs). This work is linked to the European Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC), which is still in its preparation phase. The objective of this coordination and use of observational data is to provide comparable and policy relevant trend analyses and restoration outcomes for biodiversity based on all forms of biodiverse data collected (i.e. remote sensing, in-situ, and Genetic monitoring) across all countries involved. This roadmap will provide the technical blueprint for, and a political rationale for investment in, continental-data infrastructure that supports both national and EU-level accountability and supports the NRL delivery. The Regulation relies on robust and interoperable monitoring systems to monitor restoration progress, verify restoration outcomes, and support adaptive management.

Highlight 6:  

• As of February 3, 2026, the European Commission has completed its first officially approved Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation certification methodology. This event indicates the movement from simply developing this policy to being “in operation”. These methodologies will help to clarify what constitutes high-quality tons of permanent carbon removal for technologies such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). 

The meaningfulness of these methodologies for the Nature Restoration Law is that they provide the “financial plumbing” necessary for attracting private investment in the restoration of natural ecosystems. The issuance of clear and definitive guidance on the permanence and liability of removed carbon will give businesses and landowners the certainty needed to support large-scale investments in restoration. The first EU-certified restoration projects are anticipated to begin within the next few months because of these methodologies. 

January 2026:

Highlight 1: Nature Restoration Regulation — Reference portal (European Commission) 

The Commission Reference Portal is a one-stop shop for all implementation, technical and guidance documents related to the Nature Restoration Regulation. Articles are categorized based on different themes, such as Urban Ecosystems (Article 8) and include a range of resources to support the implementation of the regulation by Member States when developing their National Restoration Plans, including examples of methodological support, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and links to various datasets and tools. It is also an official point of contact for the Commission where all interpretive guidance, informal consultation papers and links to EU platforms (Urban Nature Platform) will be located in order to support our WP5 Monitoring activities. Through the portal, the Commission communicates its expectations for timing, monitoring and key data requirements with Member States and provides access to evolving technical guidance as they seek to develop and evaluate their national plans. 

Highlight 2: Funding the Green Transition 

The European Commission has announced that the year 2026 will be the ‘Implementation Year’ of the Nature Restoration Law and has set the 1^st September 2026 as the deadline for EU member states to submit their National Restoration Plans (NRPs). A key part of the announcement was the allocation of approximately €350 million through the LIFE program to support the development of NRPs across Europe with technical assistance. This will be very relevant for our leaders of WP5 as NRPs must specifically address how Cities in the EU will reach a ‘no net loss’ of urban green space (UGS) by 2030. This announcement prioritizes funding projects that combine Biodiversity Restoration with Climate Adaptation, thus, giving regional authorities a clear pathway to access this funding to reshape their Urban Environments. 

Highlight 3: The Policy Debate — A “Make-or-Break” Year 

BirdLife International is sharing a report from a European perspective that assesses some of the political issues that will be vital with respect to a proposed Regulation on Nature Restoration (NRL) over the coming years (until the end of 2026). This report will highlight important issues now being debated in relation to the “implementation gap” between EU mandated minimum standards, and national preparation for implementing the NRL. In light of the enactment of this NRL, it is clear that while all Member States will be required to abide by the juridical decisions within the NRL, there is a great deal of variation in how all of the Member States draft their own NRPs. The BirdLife report highlights the substantial debate currently occurring between the industrial sector and the environmental sector over what land uses should receive priority as outlined in their proposed projects. This analytical piece is of special relevance to the FutureLand project because it calls for increased public engagement in the construction of NRPs and the necessity of scientific verification of the projects being proposed by both local authorities and governmental bodies across the EU. 

Highlight 4: Technical Focus — Standardizing the “Green” Metric 

Monitoring is part of this technical update, and it includes the “how”. In 2026, The European Union will begin using a standardized report format so that the progress made in restoring the environment can be measured consistently and accurately. Through the EEA indicators and satellite imagery, urban areas will be required to prove that they have fulfilled their obligations for city greening by providing objective evidence regarding their compliance with the European Union’s Urban Greening Program. Using GIS and Information Technologies for Areal Management will be key to meeting these requirements for cities and municipalities. For us at Karazin University, this resource is a diamond in the rough because it links our students’ technical studies directly to the legal requirements of the NRL. There is more than just planting a park; there is geospatial data that shows the park is functioning as a resilient urban ecosystem. 

Highlight 5: “Cropped – 14 January 2026: Wildfires, EU trade, and nature in 2026” – Carbon Brief (brief news analysis) 

Carbon Brief’s Mid-January wrap-up covers the most significant “landscape events” (e.g. Wildfires and other phenomena) that demonstrate the importance of Nature Restoration as a component of climate Resilience. The article reiterates the NRR’s objectives (to restore 20% of European Union land/sea by 2030 and all ecosystems depending upon restoration by 2050) and emphasizes the necessity for NRPs to be adopted as a means of immediate national action as of 2026. It ties together restoration, food production systems, and trade and indicates that agencies will need to coordinate their activities throughout the policy spectrum (i.e. Agriculture, Water, Forest Management and Urban Planning) to implement successful strategies. This document could be of great value when promoting Restoration, to depict how Restoration is really cross-sectoral (industries), and to demonstrate that Stakeholder Engagement (Farmers/Cities/Water Managers) will be the key to effective delivery of successful National Restoration Plans. 
 

Highlight 6: “Ukraine introduces special legal regime for protection of peatlands” , UNDP Ukraine (5 Jan 2026) 

There is a recent report on the UNDP Ukraine Project, indicating national authorities have prepared a draft of a special legal regime for peatland to establish a unified domestic approach to peatland protection that matches EU best practices and international agreements (e.g., Ramsar). The draft is part of a larger initiative to establish a legal framework that can facilitate the transposition of EU environmental legislation into Ukraine’s national legislation, as well as support the restoration of peatland and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from drained peat soils. The information contained in this report is a unique example of a current development occurring at the national level within Ukraine that corresponds with the NRL and addresses one of the key areas of focus for EU law, peatland restoration targets. Therefore, this report provides a solid opportunity to demonstrate national progress while bridging the gap between EU guidance and the work of local legislators.