REPLICATION SITES

EUROLakes will demonstrate the scalability of the proposed nature-based solutions through replication activities in other lake landscapes. This will also bridge the gap between science and implementation to improve the evidence-based restoration and protection of lakes and wetlands, and safeguard the lessons learned regarding inspiration, as well as social, natural, and financial returns.

The project will ensure the replicability of its integrated approaches by supporting stakeholders in pre-identified ‘associated regions’ in Europe with the development of their own replication action plans and roadmaps using the P&R and socio-economic measures demonstrated during EUROLakes implementation.

  • Hyperlocal to local communication & dissemination campaigns will be introduced to promote and raise further awareness about the nature-based approaches used.
  • Capacity-building programs will be implemented to ensure knowledge sharing to replication regions.
  • Networking and synergies activities will take place to ensure best-practice and knowledge sharing between relevant projects and initiatives, including sister projects.

 

A funding selection process will be set up for the identification of the most suitable third parties to implement replication activities in three natural lakes in different European associated regions. Each of the selected third parties will receive up to 100,000 EUR for implementing P&R activities as part of the co-development of replication plans and roadmaps for each site, building on the knowledge accumulated during the EUROLakes demonstration activities. Workshops will be conducted to learn from experiences integrating the 4 Returns in the P&R of natural lake ecosystems and their biodiversity.

Call for applications

The selection process for identifying the most suitable local or regional entities to receive financial support will be based on a call for applications, including the following steps for ensuring highest implementation probability:

  1. Call for Applications Publication: Informative call materials will be developed and published on the website of the project, along with a dedicated online application form in September 2025.
  2. Received application forms will be processed within the established deadline of three months (end of November 2025).
  3. Selection of participants: A preliminary scoring of the applications and selection of candidates will be carried out based on the pre-defined criteria set and parameters indicated at proposal stage, which will include the physical characteristics of the lakes as well as their ecosystem status, data availability, governance context and local community access.
  4. Allocation: Selected candidates will conduct bilateral meetings with team members of EUROLakes to better define the case study and understand their specifics, thus allowing to define which projects will be suitable as replicants.
  5. Acceptance notice: After validation with the rest of the consortium, selected applicants will be notified of their acceptance as replicators, will be introduced to their assigned support partner and kickoff their support activity.

 

The scope of the replication support is defined after the selection process is over. It extends to the co-development of the replication plans and roadmaps. The selected replicators will be guided and supported by the EUROLakes team during the entire duration of the replication process.