Project overview
Restoring degraded eco-systems along the Green Belt to improve and enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity
The European Green Belt is a unique network of ecologically important habitats and protected nature areas. Crossing countries along the line of the former Iron Curtain, it is under pressure: growing land use is leading to biodiversity and habitat degradation. The ReCo project piloted a new protection and conservation strategy by capitalising on geo-information and data processing systems. The partnership also adopted a community-based development approach to leverage funds and activities.
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2,74m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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6
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Countries
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9
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Regions
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11
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Partners
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2
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Bavarian Branch of Friends of the Earth Germany
BUND Department Green Belt
Project partner
Manager of the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve
Main Office
Head Office
Head Office
Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation Group
1030 Vienna
Department of Landscape Ecology
Head Office
Head Office
Department of Landscape Adaptation to Climate Change
AMP Miramare
Roadmap
Nature restoration alongside European Green Belt
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 work 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.
Decline of biodiversity and degraded habitats in need for support
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.
Development approach based on innovation and community
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.
Practical implementation of restoration measures
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.
Political mainstreaming and upscaling of achieved results
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.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
Transnational Restoration and Connectivity Strategy for the European Green Belt
Practicioners' Guides on ecological habitat restoration and effective species conservation
Regional restoration and connectivity plans
- Local/Regional Restoration Plan (Species): Ińsko Lakeland, Poland (2025)
- Local Regional Restoration Plan (Habitats): Fichtelgebirge/Smrčiny, Germany & Czechia (2025)
- Local/Regional Restoration Plan (Species): Thayatal/Podyjí, Austria & Czechia (2025)
- Local Regional Restoration Plan (Habitats): Gorenjska Region, Slovenia (2025)
- Local Regional Restoration Plan (Habitats): Miramare, Italy (2025)
- Local Regional Restoration Plan (Habitats): Skocjanski Zatok, Slovenia (2025)
Project videos
Project documents
Strategic documents
Practical Guides and Best Practices
ReCo Joint Pilot Actions
Peer Review Visits to Pilot Regions
--- ReCo CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS ---
ReCo Online Scientific Conference, 5. Dec 2025
Enhancing Biodiversity & Interconnectivity by Ecological Restoration
EU Policy Conference, Brussels, 5. Nov 2025
The European Green Belt – A Model for Biodiversity and European Cooperation
Online Transnational Focus Workshop, 28. Feb 2025
Supporting Biodiversity Conservation Along the European Green Belt - Targeted Restoration Measures for Endangered Species
Online Transnational Focus Workshop, 21. Feb 2025
Enhancing Ecological Connectivity through Habitat Restoration – Key Insights and Lessons from the ReCo Project
--- ReCo-RELATED EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS ---
Scientific Articles
Project images
ReCo
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