NIVA leads EU project on lake restoration
FutureLakes aims to show how technological and nature-based solutions can revolutionise the protection of European lakes.
- Written by
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Silje Graffer
- Key scientists
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Laurence Carvalho
Did you know that many European lakes are struggling with poor water quality and that over 25% of wetland and freshwater species in Europe are threatened? To help solve this problem, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) is now leading FutureLakes, a new Horizon Europe funded research project. This project will showcase new solutions to protect and restore Europe's lakes.
New solutions for clean lakes
FutureLakes will use nature-based solutions to reduce pollution and increase the resilience of lakes to floods and droughts. The project will also test methods to recover valuable resources from contaminated lake sediments. - We aim to demonstrate that restoring lake water quality not only restores freshwater biodiversity, but also makes economic sense, says project coordinator Laurence Carvalho.
We aim to demonstrate that restoring lake water quality not only restores freshwater biodiversity, but also makes economic sense.
Pilot projects and sustainability
The project includes 10 pilot projects and six large European lakes. Here, FutureLakes will show how new solutions can be integrated into lake management and contribute to a sustainable blue economy. - We will deliver a tested blueprint for lake protection and restoration which will include guidance on how to attract green financing for implementing restoration measures and policy implementation to support the restoration process, says project manager Maeve McGovern.
The way forward
FutureLakes will also develop a plan to expand lake restoration across Europe, in line with the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the European Green Deal.
International co-operation
FutureLakes is a three-year project funded by Horizon Europe. The project started on 1 October 2024 and runs until 30 September 2027, with a budget of €4.2 million and includes 10 partners from 9 countries
