EFI joins UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

EFI brings forest restoration commitments to the next level by joining UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

The European Forest Institute (EFI) has officially joined the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, reinforcing and expanding its collaboration with leading global actors to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. As a Supporting Partner of the UN Decade, EFI will help build evidence-based recommendations and engage new sectors and communities in forest restoration efforts worldwide.

The UN Decade, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), is building a global movement to protect and revive ecosystems, enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change and reverse biodiversity loss. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and endorsed by over 70 countries, the initiative runs from 2021 through 2030. EFI's partnership with the UN Decade was formalised this June through a Memorandum of Understanding with UNEP.

EFI enters the UN Decade in a pivotal moment for nature restoration in Europe, following the European Council’s approval of the EU Nature Restoration Law. Through its flagship forest restoration initiative, the EU Green Deal and Horizon 2020 project SUPERB, EFI has provided key recommendations to policymakers on improving the legislation and maximising restoration’s potential to adapt forest ecosystems to climate change. 

Robert Mavsar, Director of EFI said: “As the European Union increases its level of ambition to restore ecosystems, so does EFI by joining the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, through which we bring our commitments to the next level. We will contribute to restoring thousands of hectares of forests across Europe through the SUPERB project and also bring our scientific and practical findings to a global stage.” 

“In 2025, EFI’s thematic focus for activities and communication will be Developing resilient forest landscapes and societies. We are therefore delighted to engage with a leading network of restoration thinkers and facilitators, and we have much to contribute and learn.”

EFI's membership in the UN Decade includes participation in its Task Forces on Best Practices and Restoration Finance. Additionally, rewilding will be a key thematic area of the partnership, supported by EFI’s involvement in two new EU-funded research and innovation projects: WILDCARD and wildE.

For more information, visit the UN Decade’s website: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/