FutureLakes: Integrating Innovations for the Protection and Restoration of European Lakes

FutureLakes is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action supporting the Mission Restore our Ocean & Waters. Its overarching aim is to demonstrate innovative solutions needed to protect and restore lakes across Europe. This includes piloting 10 innovations in nature-based solutions, circular blue economy solutions, biodiversity-focused solutions or a combination of these approaches. Integration of these solutions is demonstrated operationally in lake basin management of six large European lakes to deliver a tested blueprint for lake protection and restoration. The FutureLakes blueprint will incorporate best practice guidance on the enabling environment needed to scale-up promising innovations to become mainstream approaches in lake basin management planning. This includes demonstrating more effective and inclusive collaboration in water governance, increasing engagement and water literacy of citizens and showcasing innovations in policy implementation and financing. FutureLakes will also develop a roadmap for upscaling European lake restoration beyond the six Demo sites, including replicating the Blueprint at lakes in three associated regions. It will work alongside 3 sister projects to create a European Community of Practice of lake managers, scientists, water-use sectors and NGOs to scale-up restoration efforts across Europe. The project started 1st October 2024 and runs for 3 years until the end of September 2027.