Living labs for co-creating solutions for the restoration of ecosystems

The Horizon Europe research program “Living Labs for Co-Creating Solutions for the Restoration of Ecosystems” supports transnational, practice-oriented test fields for large-scale restoration of degraded ecosystems. A network of Living Labs will be established in at least three EU Member States or associated countries, each comprising 10 to 20 trial sites where participants from research institutions, authorities, companies (especially SMEs), environmental NGOs, and civil society organizations collaboratively develop and evaluate innovative restoration methods through co-creation. Through a mandatory multi-actor strategy in real application environments, approaches for biodiversity conservation, climate protection, and climate change adaptation are validated together with end users. The project includes preliminary market consultations, monitoring tools for assessing ecosystem health, and scalability strategies, including business models or funding mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services. The total funding amount is up to €7 million, with a project duration of 36 months; 100% funding covers personnel and material costs, travel expenses, subcontractor services, and third-party costs. Requirements include, among others, at least three transnational Living Labs, interdisciplinary approaches, stakeholder consultation prior to project start, and a cap on third-party funding at 30% of the budget.

Interested parties may submit their project outline by 16 April 2026 (Stage 1), with invitations to submit full proposals issued by 23 September 2026. Selection criteria focus on excellence, impact, as well as quality and efficiency of implementation. The program makes a significant contribution to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, supports the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, and promotes innovative nature-based carbon sequestration solutions. A two-stage, blind evaluation process ensures transparency and subject-specific assessment by independent experts. The call supports EU-wide collaboration and the scalability of successful restoration measures across diverse ecosystem types, including coastal, riverine, and agricultural landscapes, urban fringe areas, biodiversity corridors, and dry ecosystems.