The European Green Belt – a strip of nature extending alongside the past Iron curtain – is in need for restoration. 11 project partners from six EU member states in Central Europe have united in ReCo and worked on the implementation of versatile restoration measures and – since nature does not know the boarders – support of the interconnectivity in this part of Europe in terms of the nature protection.

The European Green Belt forms a structurally rich bridge element connecting various valuable habitat types, which are natural home for a wide range of plant and animal species and of great importance in the role of natural carbon sinks for the climate protection. However, due to increasing land use pressure, habitat fragmentation, and climate change this unique network is under threat. Decline in biodiversity and habitat degradation are only some of the consequences of those challenging developments.

In response, ReCo provided solutions to improve the protection and conservation of habitats along the Central European Green Belt. As up-to-date measures were needed, the project employed innovative geo-information and data processing systems to devise solutions. The partnership also adopted a community-based development approach, encouraging communities to contribute funds and activities towards habitat restoration.

Furthermore, to test and demonstrate up-to-date ecological restoration approaches, enhance ecological connectivity and protect biodiversity, the project partners implemented two Joint Pilot Actions in six regions facing specific ecological challenges. Their goal was to target valuable habitats and species (including NATURA 2000). To maximise community-based leverage effects, restoration investments were accompanied by a series of local stakeholder workshops in the pilot regions.

Observations gained through the implementation of the pilot actions were integrated into the key outputs of the project, including the Joint Transnational Restoration & Connectivity Strategy, presenting how, where and under which focus the Central European Green Belt can best contribute to the achievement of national and European nature protection goals; two Joint Practitioners' Guides to support future restoration efforts; and six Joint Local/Regional Restoration Plans describing how to put the project's findings into practice at local and regional level. To ensure the roll-out of the project results at national and especially EU level, the project outputs and results were mainstreamed into political work by presenting the European Green Belt as a priority region for the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.