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Welcome to the website of the European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR)

River restoration brings futureproof river ecosystems that serve all who are dependent on healthy and safe water.

The ECRR is considered internationally to be the key network to promote and build capacity for ecological river restoration across Europe, supporting the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, Floods Directive and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UNECE Water Convention, the Convention on  Biodiversity, as well as national policies. See here ECRR's submission to the EC's WFD Fitness Check.

The ECRR is the authoritative voice on river restoration in Europe.

The ECRR is respected by the EU, governments, and the wider river restoration community in greater Europe, backed by its formal national network of members. The ECRR maintains this position by making the most out of the active involvement of its partners, members and contacts. The ECRR is an independent association, free to voice opinions, irrespective of the interests of partners and supporters. See here ECRR's Position Paper.

This makes ECRR: "The network for best practice river restoration in greater Europe" with the following purposes:

  • A mission to encourage and support ecological river restoration throughout greater Europe, through a European network consisting of national and topic centres, organisations, institutions and individual subscribers. See ECRR's Members Network.
  • Connecting people and organizations working on river restoration. The network consists of about 2000 contacts (organisations and individuals), is represented in 12 European countries by a national centre, and works together closely with a number of Key Partners.
  • Supporting development of best practices of river restoration and disseminating information on ecological river restoration: for instance via the RiverWiki Platform for case studies from all over Europe.

River restoration experts in Europe use the knowledge and contacts in the ECRR network to achieve maximum succes.

Through ECRR's activities, we exchange knowledge from one to another country, establish cross border and professional contacts and influence decision making. Our insights, case studies and technical information broaden perspectives of reseachers, NGO's, praticioners and policy makers. See for this amongst other documentation RESTORE Project Layman's Report

Events

RRC Annual Conference 2025

From: 01-04-2025 until 02-04-2025

After a superb turnout in Llandudno, we are asking you to draft your abstract for the 2025 RRC Conference in Brighton. The submission form is now available. Join us and share your work, research, experiences, ideas and lessons.

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EURO - INBO 2025, 20 - 23 May, Parma Italy

From: 20-05-2025 until 23-05-2025

Save the date

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International Conference I.S. Rivers, Lyon, France.

From: 30-06-2025 until 04-07-2025

Integrative sciences and sustainable development of rivers.

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26th International River Symposium

From: 08-09-2025 until 10-09-2025

The world’s preeminent river conference returns to Brisbane in 2025! Join us to accelerate solutions and partnerships to tackle the largest issues facing our rivers and waterways.

read more...

For more events goto the event section!

Periodic ECRR eNews?

ECRR Members and Partners

Your organisation wants a ECRR membership?

Non commercial organisations working on the development of best practice for river restoration, knowledge sharing and (international) cooperation can become a member of the ECRR Association

For more information on what does the ECRR offer to its members and what a ECRR membership means we invite you to goto ECRR Membership and/or to contact us by Secretariat@ECRR.org.

 

Open Rivers Programme

ECRR supports the Open Rivers Programme that offers grants to projects that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity.

 

ECRR Supporting Partner

European Centre for River Restoration
supports the United Nations Decade
on Ecosystems Restoration 2021-2030
       Oficial Approved 25 November 2020

Latest news

River Basin Management in a changing Climate Read more

River Basin Management in a changing Climate

The guidance document updates information on climate change impacts on the water cycle and provides tools to help water managers align River Basin Management( RBM) under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Flood Directive (FD) to climate adaptation planning.

Criteria for identifying free-flowing river stretches for the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 Read more

Criteria for identifying free-flowing river stretches for the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030

This document proposes criteria for identifying free-flowing rivers, taking into account longitudinal, lateral, and vertical connectivity at local and catchment scales.

Key elements of the method are (1) segmentation of the river into homogeneous reaches; (2) criteria for longitudinal, lateral, and vertical connectivity within a homogeneous reach; (3) a large-scale assessment taking into account sediment connectivity and migration barriers for target fish species; and (4) minimum length criteria to ensure hydromorphological processes and ecological functioning.his document proposes criteria for identifying free-flowing rivers, taking into account longitudinal, lateral, and vertical connectivity at local and catchment scales.

ECRR Technical Newsletter June 2024 Read more

ECRR Technical Newsletter June 2024

Harnessing the Potential of River Restoration: Inspiring Cases

This newsletter explores three remarkable examples. These cases highlight the power of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange in achieving successful outcomes for river ecosystems.

ECRR Technical News December 2023 Read more

ECRR Technical News December 2023

River restoration is a broad concept. In addition, it is an activity that is applied within the broad context of Integrated River (Basin) Management. As a result, river restoration touches on many different aspects. This is reflected in the variety of articles in this ECRR Technical Newsletter issue.

 

IUCN WPCA Europe - River Restoration Study Trip Read more

IUCN WPCA Europe - River Restoration Study Trip

The aim of the two-day expert meeting is to exchange technical information on river engineering measures such as the restoration of side channels, the rehabilitation of banks and other ecological improvements in regulated river systems. There will also be time and space to discuss relevant issues in the field, such as the controversy surrounding habitat conservation and the promotion of dynamics in riparian systems.

 

For more (past) news goto the news section!

ECRR Supporting Partner

European Centre for River Restoration
supports the United Nations Decade
on Ecosystems Restoration 2021-2030
       Oficial Approved 25 November 2020