FutureLakes call for Lake Restoration Solutions in Associated Regions

Deadline: 31-Mar-25

The European Commission has launched its open call aims to fund three Associated Regions to engage and work alongside the FutureLakes consortium to showcase the feasibility and replicability of restoration solutions developed within the FutureLakes project in other areas of the EU, or eligible associated countries.

Specifically, Associated Regions selected in this call will engage with activities in FutureLakes and be provided with significant technical assistance to prepare an action plan for at least one large lake in their region, using the outcomes and knowledge of FutureLakes. In addition, an Upscaling Roadmap will outline the restoration measures to be replicated or scaled-up, to restore one or more lakes in their region, and plans for implementing these. It is expected that these plans will be co-developed with stakeholders in the Associated Region and country. The goals of the action plan and roadmap are to improve the ecological and chemical status of their lake, provide greater protection and restoration of biodiversity and support innovation-based growth and job creation in their region.

FutureLakes aims to demonstrate innovative solutions needed to transform lake restoration across Europe. These solutions aim to significantly improve ecological and chemical status of European lakes, reduce nutrient pollution, restore biodiversity, recover valuable resources, enhance the services that lakes provide and make society more resilient to climate change. Demonstrated solutions include nature-based solutions in lake catchments to reduce nutrient pollution, circular economy solutions to recover phosphorus and other valuable resources from lake sediments or from harvested algal biomass, and solutions focused on habitat creation for biodiversity.

A key project deliverable is a Blueprint for lake protection and restoration. This will include a catalogue of technical solutions, a comprehensive evaluation of 10 innovative solutions, guidance on establishing more effective and inclusive water governance and showcasing integration of innovations in public engagement, policy and green financing in 6 demonstration basins.

Funding Information

• The total financial support per Associated Region is up to max. €54.000.
• The total amount requested must represent 100% of the total AR eligible costs and cover direct costs as personnel costs and purchase costs (for travel and subsistence) as well as indirect costs (up to 25%) for attending internal FutureLakes meetings and interactions with the consortium.

Eligible Activities 

• Participation in meetings and workshops organised by the FutureLakes consortium.
• Consultation with key regional and national stakeholders.
• Preparing an action plan for at least one large lake in their region and an Upscaling Roadmap which outlines what restoration measures will be replicated or scaled-up to restore one or more lakes in their region.

Eligibility Criteria

• FutureLakes invites applicants who are local and/or regional authorities from an “Associated Region” (AR). Associated regions are understood as regions with another natural lake located in EU Member States and/or Associated countries. Any other type of third parties according to the Horizon Europe conditions, like private for-profit organisations, higher education organisations or NGOs are not eligible, but can participate as sub-contractors to the AR.
• Eligible countries 
  • Single legal entities established in any of the following countries are eligible to participate in the FutureLakes Open Call:
    • The Member States of the European Union (EU), including their outermost regions.
    • Horizon Europe associated countries (those that have signed an agreement with the EU as identified in the HE Programme Guide) according to the updated list published by the EC.
    • The country must not be represented in the FutureLakes consortium by an existing partner from that country. Countries that are already part of the FutureLakes consortium and, therefore, excluded from the FutureLakes Open Call, are: Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and United Kingdom.
    • Local and regional authorities established in outermost regions of the EU are eligible to receive funding, provided that they are located in Member States other than those that are part of the project consortium. Outermost regions of Portugal (Azores and Madeira) and Spain (Canary Islands) are, therefore, eligible to apply.

Language 

• English is the official language for the FutureLakes Open Call. Submissions written in any language other than English will not be eligible or evaluated. English is the only official language during the whole implementation of the FutureLakes programme. This means that any requested submission of documentation and deliverables must be done in English to be eligible.

For more information, visit EC.