Living labs co-creating innovative solutions for forests and freshwater ecosystems restoration
Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
04/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Living labs co-creating innovative solutions for forests and freshwater ecosystems restoration Call?
Grant Description
Supports research and innovation actions to co-create, test, refine and scale up innovative solutions, methods and tools via living labs for restoration and non-deterioration of degraded forest and freshwater ecosystems, ensuring multiple ecosystem services and socio-economic co-benefits in line with EU Nature Restoration Law and climate adaptation and mitigation targets.
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Enhanced capacities of researchers, policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders to co-develop, test, refine and scale up ecosystem restoration solutions and ensure their non-deterioration.
• Availability of practice-oriented knowledge and tools for public and private land managers, foresters and environmental NGOs to restore ecosystems and prevent further degradation.
• Competent authorities preparing national restoration plans (EU Nature Restoration Law) and climate adaptation strategies equipped with effective restoration solutions, methods and tools, and able to propose appropriate measures.
• Strengthened collaborations across territories and sectors within living labs; increased uptake of effective restoration solutions; development of sustainable business models and financing schemes for ecosystem restoration.
• Demonstration of social, economic and environmental co-benefits and trade-offs of nature restoration activities, including for climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Availability of practice-oriented knowledge and tools for public and private land managers, foresters and environmental NGOs to restore ecosystems and prevent further degradation.
• Competent authorities preparing national restoration plans (EU Nature Restoration Law) and climate adaptation strategies equipped with effective restoration solutions, methods and tools, and able to propose appropriate measures.
• Strengthened collaborations across territories and sectors within living labs; increased uptake of effective restoration solutions; development of sustainable business models and financing schemes for ecosystem restoration.
• Demonstration of social, economic and environmental co-benefits and trade-offs of nature restoration activities, including for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
• Align with EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, EU Nature Restoration Regulation and European Climate Law targets (restore significant degraded, carbon-rich areas; achieve favourable status for ≥30% habitats/species; cover ≥20% land and sea by 2030; all ecosystems by 2050).
• Focus on combined forest and freshwater ecosystems, delivering multiple functions and services for climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Apply the three living labs principles: (a) co-create solutions with end-users in real-life sites; (b) co-decide/co-create throughout the project; (c) assemble actors with complementary knowledge.
• Living labs must conform to the European Network of Living Labs definition and include partners from diverse backgrounds/disciplines/sectors.
• Set up at least three living labs in three different EU Member States/Associated Countries, each with ≥7 experimental sites.
• Rationale for cross-lab cooperation and stakeholder engagement must be described.
• Develop a detailed, transdisciplinary work plan for co-design, co-development and co-implementation of innovative solutions.
• Conduct participatory research addressing biodiversity loss drivers, scaling-up and transferability challenges; tailor solutions to environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts; select sites along anthropogenic pressure gradients.
• Establish baseline ecosystem condition per lab and monitor progress towards targets (e.g. good conservation status under EU Directives), including forestry impacts on freshwater health.
• Demonstrate effectiveness and non-deterioration of restoration practices; assess economic viability; devise business and co-funding models for end-users.
• Document and disseminate solutions accessibly; liaise with EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and Bio Agora.
• Focus on combined forest and freshwater ecosystems, delivering multiple functions and services for climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Apply the three living labs principles: (a) co-create solutions with end-users in real-life sites; (b) co-decide/co-create throughout the project; (c) assemble actors with complementary knowledge.
• Living labs must conform to the European Network of Living Labs definition and include partners from diverse backgrounds/disciplines/sectors.
• Set up at least three living labs in three different EU Member States/Associated Countries, each with ≥7 experimental sites.
• Rationale for cross-lab cooperation and stakeholder engagement must be described.
• Develop a detailed, transdisciplinary work plan for co-design, co-development and co-implementation of innovative solutions.
• Conduct participatory research addressing biodiversity loss drivers, scaling-up and transferability challenges; tailor solutions to environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts; select sites along anthropogenic pressure gradients.
• Establish baseline ecosystem condition per lab and monitor progress towards targets (e.g. good conservation status under EU Directives), including forestry impacts on freshwater health.
• Demonstrate effectiveness and non-deterioration of restoration practices; assess economic viability; devise business and co-funding models for end-users.
• Document and disseminate solutions accessibly; liaise with EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and Bio Agora.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Multi-actor approach is mandatory (involving researchers, policymakers, practitioners, end-users).
• Funding in the form of a Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS) under the Horizon Europe lump sum decision.
• Two-stage submission and evaluation process with deadlines: Stage 1 by 04/09/2025; Stage 2 by 18/02/2026.
• Proposals must follow HE General Annexes (Annexes A–G) and Application Form page limits/layout.
• Eligible participants: entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries as per Annex B; certain third countries only if specific provisions apply.
• Effective contribution of SSH disciplines and integration of gender dimension required.
• Projects must cooperate with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Bio Agora Science Service.
• Living labs must adhere to European Network of Living Labs standards; minimum seven experimental sites per lab; at least three labs.
• Proposals must address transferability, scaling-up, local heritage considerations, and gradient of anthropogenic pressure.
• Use of advanced digital tools (AI, HPC, Environmental Observation) encouraged where relevant.
• Compliance with lump sum cost rules and detailed budget table (HE LS); legal entity validation and financial capacity checks apply.
• Funding in the form of a Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS) under the Horizon Europe lump sum decision.
• Two-stage submission and evaluation process with deadlines: Stage 1 by 04/09/2025; Stage 2 by 18/02/2026.
• Proposals must follow HE General Annexes (Annexes A–G) and Application Form page limits/layout.
• Eligible participants: entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries as per Annex B; certain third countries only if specific provisions apply.
• Effective contribution of SSH disciplines and integration of gender dimension required.
• Projects must cooperate with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Bio Agora Science Service.
• Living labs must adhere to European Network of Living Labs standards; minimum seven experimental sites per lab; at least three labs.
• Proposals must address transferability, scaling-up, local heritage considerations, and gradient of anthropogenic pressure.
• Use of advanced digital tools (AI, HPC, Environmental Observation) encouraged where relevant.
• Compliance with lump sum cost rules and detailed budget table (HE LS); legal entity validation and financial capacity checks apply.
Important dates
Open from: 06/05/2025
Deadline:04/09/2025
Application period has ended
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