The development of the National Restoration Plan (NRP) is a key step towards implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (EU 2024/1991). This regulation requires all Member States to plan and implement concrete measures to restore degraded ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss. The Ecologic Institute leads the project, which provides technical and administrative assistance to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) in the preparation of the first draft of the NRP.

Public Consultation Begins

To ensure that the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation’s targets is effective and sustainable, Germany is pursuing broad engagement of all relevant stakeholders and the general public. Participation is not only a formal requirement of the EU regulation but also a key factor for the successful implementation of restoration measures. It is intended to strengthen awareness of the necessity and opportunities of restoration and to ensure that experience, local knowledge, and diverse perspectives are incorporated into the planning process. This way, practical solutions can be developed that are both scientifically sound and broadly supported by society.

Following an initial online participation phase in autumn 2025, the public consultation on the first draft of the NRP is now being launched. From April 25 to June 25, 2026, citizens, authorities, research institutions, associations, and representatives from agriculture, forestry, and nature conservation are invited to share their input and assessments.

The aim is to develop measures that are scientifically sound, practical, and socially viable. The feedback received will be carefully evaluated and incorporated into the further development of the plan.

In addition to the online consultation, various dialogue formats on specific ecosystems, such as agricultural landscapes, forests, rivers, and urban areas, have already taken place across Germany. Expert discussions, information events, and participation formats have facilitated direct exchange between public authorities, the scientific community, and the broader public.

Further information on participation opportunities can be found on the website BMUKN: Nationaler Wiederherstellungsplan für die Natur in Deutschland.

Role of the Ecologic Institute in implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation

The Ecologic Institute contributes in various ways to the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the development of the National Restoration Plan.

Within the project "Supporting the National Implementation of Nature Restoration Targets", the Ecologic Institute, together with its partners, develops, among others, technical foundations for the National Restoration Plan. These include a systematic list of measures for terrestrial ecosystems, a guidance tool for identifying potential restoration areas, as well as the preparation and analysis of relevant data, materials, and draft texts.  

In addition, the Ecologic Institute leads a further project on the development of a national evaluation concept for restoration measures. The aim is to develop a systematic assessment of the effectiveness of measures and thereby create a solid basis for the further development and implementation of restoration targets.

Moreover, Ecologic is also engaged in the technical and policy-related development of the Nature Restoration Regulation beyond the German context. For example, as part of an international workshop on implementing the regulation in the Alpine region, approaches for enhanced cross-border cooperation were developed together with representatives from several countries. The results directly feed into national and international planning processes.

Another key area lies in the European exchange on specific aspects of implementation, for example, in the area of urban ecosystems. On 5 and 6 May 2026, a European networking workshop on urban nature will take place in Bonn, organised and carried out by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with support from the Ecologic Institute. The workshop brings together key stakeholders from across Europe – including national authorities, cities, the scientific community, EU institutions, and relevant networks – in an interactive, participant-driven format. The aim is to develop practical solutions through peer learning and cross-country dialogue and to strengthen the development of long-term cooperation for implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation and protecting urban nature.

The Institute is also actively involved at the European level, including through work within the European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (ETC-BE), through projects for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (Compilation of Existing Guidance on Ecosystem Restoration), as experts in networks (e.g., BiodivRestore Knowledge Hubs and Biodiversity Bridge), and through other formats such as Policy Briefs and Podcasts. In this way, Ecologic helps to better link scientific knowledge, policy processes, and practical implementation, thereby supporting the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation at both national and European levels.