Europe’s natural lake ecosystems are subject to significant pressure stemming from climate change, pollution and natural resources overuse from human activity, threatening their fragile ecological balance and resilience. To address these challenges, the EUROLakes project, funded under Horizon Europe’s Mission Ocean and Waters, was launched in September 2024, with the ambitious goal to transform the way lakes are restored and protected. EUROLakes brings together 13 partners from seven countries, all committed to restoring Europe’s natural lake ecosystems through nature-based solutions, digital innovation, and community collaboration.
The project is already off to a strong start and partners came together for the first consortium meeting in Radolfzell, Germany this April. The event was hosted by the Global Nature Fund provided an opportunity to assess project milestones and strengthen collaboration. The busy agenda also included a field visit to the “Weitenried” wetland, offering a real-life experience for the topics discussed.
Westcountry Rivers Trust provided updates on our work, focusing mainly on stakeholder mapping, community diagnoses and establishing suitable communication platforms working towards creating a lasting legacy in the demonstration sites.
by Matt Worthington