The Open Study Tour in the Dordogne River Valley (28–30 September 2026) offers a field‑based learning opportunity centred on how ecological river restoration is delivered through hydromorphological change and sediment dynamics in a large alluvial river corridor. Participants will begin with a short shared introduction and an overview of the LIFE Dordogne River Programme, followed by guided site visits and facilitated discussion designed to turn real project experiences into transferable lessons. 

Welcome to the latest edition of the ECRR newsletter! In this issue, discover major updates in river restoration across Europe, including new partnerships, upcoming events, and funding opportunities.

EU LIFE Programme: Leading the Way in River Basin Restoration and Conservation 

Five magnificent projects show that the EU LIFE programme is instrumental in funding projects that improve ecological conditions and promote climate action across Europe. The EU LIFE programme funds projects that protect the environment and promote climate action across Europe. It supports innovative initiatives at local and regional levels, enabling projects that restore and conserve natural habitats, promote biodiversity and enhance resource efficiency. The programme helps translate EU policies into tangible actions that benefit the environment and communities.

The newsletter presents three remarkable collaborative efforts restoring Europe's rivers:
- the Gipuzkoa Masterplan;
- the European Open Rivers   Programme;
- the Lower Dnipro self-restoration.

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.