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.

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.

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.