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