Biodiversa+, Water JPI and partners have published a series of policy briefs drawing on 22 European research projects. The briefs translate a decade of restoration science and recommendations into practical, phased guidance tied directly to the articles of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) and the requirements of the NRPs themselves.
The briefings provide an overview of some of the challenges facing Member States. As climate extremes intensify, they show, for example, how Nature-based Solutions can reduce stormwater pressures and flooding in urban catchments, and how climate-risk screening can keep restoration effective as conditions change.
They also highlight that fewer than one in ten national restoration policies currently address the unintended health or social consequences of restoration, despite the well-established link between land-use change and emerging infectious diseases, and that private financing of nature restoration in Europe remains marginal outside protected areas, despite an estimated €65 billion annual investment need.
Biodiversa+ and its network of 81 partner organisations across 39 countries are calling on Member States and their national implementation authorities to use the briefs as a practical guide for reviewing and strengthening their plans.
Read the policy briefs: https://www.biodiversa.eu/restoration/
Preparation of Greece’s first National Restoration Plan moves forward
Greece is at an advanced stage in the preparation of its first National Restoration Plan (NRP), as part of the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on Nature Restoration.
The competent authority for the implementation of the Regulation is the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEEN), which is working on the preparation of the NRP in cooperation with the Goulandris Natural History Museum – Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (GNHM–EKBY), with funding from the Green Fund.
To date, a significant part of the preparatory, scientific and technical work required for the NRP has been completed. The main restoration needs have been identified and a “pool” of existing and proposed restoration measures, together with the areas where they may be implemented, has been developed. These areas cover terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, as well as marine, forest, agricultural and urban ecosystems. Measures are also being identified to restore the natural connectivity of rivers and strengthen pollinator populations.
For the first implementation horizon, up to 2030, the NRP is expected to rely to a significant extent on existing and mature measures provided for under approved plans and programmes or those currently under preparation, as well as on projects that are already being implemented or have been initiated. At the same time, in line with the requirements of the Regulation itself, particular emphasis will be placed on restoration within Natura 2000 sites.
A wide range of competent authorities, scientific and sectoral stakeholders, organisations and other interested parties are involved in the process. In December 2025, two open online information meetings were held, with more than 400 participants, with the aim of informing stakeholders and collecting proposals for restoration measures, as well as information on river connectivity.
Next steps
Greece is expected to submit its draft National Restoration Plan to the European Commission within 2026. The timetable for the process has been updated in order to allow sufficient time for the completion of the scientific assessment, the incorporation of newly available information and the conduct of a meaningful public consultation, scheduled for October 2026, with a view to ensuring broad and effective participation by the stakeholders involved.
The online public consultation will take place through the Ministry of Environment and Energy’s website, with an open process for submitting comments and observations. Participatory activities, including in-person and/or online events, are also planned to present the draft Plan, inform competent authorities, scientific and sectoral stakeholders, organisations and other interested parties, and facilitate discussion on the proposed measures and the Plan’s key choices. Following the completion of the consultation, the assessment of the comments received and the technical preparation for electronic submission, the draft NRP will be submitted to the European Commission.
On 28 August 2026, the Ministry of Environment and Energy informed the European Commission of the progress made in preparing Greece’s NRP and of the updated timetable.
More information on nature restoration and the preparation of Greece’s National Restoration Plan:
https://ypen.gov.gr/perivallon/viopoikilotita/apokatastasi-tis-fysis/
