Open Nature: from conservation to restoration, from strategies to people

The project addresses challenges related to the preparation of Slovakia's National Restoration Plan (NRP) under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRL), particularly insufficient transparency, inclusiveness, and public awareness. A central challenge is to ensure that the NRP is sufficiently ambitious while remaining practically implementable and capable of addressing biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and the impacts of climate change. Limited awareness and involvement of stakeholders and the general public in the preparation process create risks of misunderstanding, insufficient acceptance, and resistance to proposed restoration measures, potentially undermining their future implementation. Similar challenges have previously been encountered in the Natura 2000 process. Coordination gaps between sectors and insufficient involvement of key stakeholders, including landowners, land users, and local authorities, further complicate effective restoration planning. There is also a lack of practical guidance on translating national restoration objectives into concrete regional measures, while potentially inadequate financial mechanisms and unclear access to funding may limit implementation. The project therefore seeks to improve the quality, acceptance, and feasibility of the National Restoration Plan by supporting inclusive stakeholder participation, reflecting territorial needs, and creating conditions for effective and sustainable ecosystem restoration.

The project aims to contribute to the adoption of an ambitious, feasible, and broadly supported National Restoration Plan by September 2027, while strengthening transparency, public participation, and stakeholder engagement throughout its preparation and implementation planning. Four main activities will be implemented. First, between October 2026 and March 2028, the project will increase public awareness and participation through a dedicated NRP website, information seminars, workshops, public discussions, and two targeted communication campaigns in the project area. These activities will improve access to information and understanding of ecosystem restoration among the general and expert public. Second, between October 2026 and September 2027, WWF Slovakia will actively contribute to the drafting, consultation, and Strategic Environmental Assessment of the NRP at national level by preparing expert analyses, recommendations, and proposals for restoration measures, conducting at least five consultations with relevant public authorities, and mobilising civil society participation in public commenting processes. Third, between January 2027 and February 2028, the project will support stakeholder engagement and capacity building at regional level, particularly in the Gemer region. Through seminars, working meetings, and facilitated discussions, municipalities, landowners, land users, and businesses will jointly develop restoration measures with a perspective extending to 2050. A dedicated platform will collect and share proposals, identify implementation barriers, and formulate practical solutions, with the results presented to responsible national institutions. Fourth, the project will strengthen professional capacities through continuous bilateral cooperation with WWF Norway, including online seminar, and a study visit between October 2026 and March 2028.

The project aims to contribute to the adoption of an ambitious and implementable National Restoration Plan by September 2027, reflecting stakeholder input and aligned with EU biodiversity and climate objectives. This is expected to improve the quality, feasibility, and legitimacy of restoration measures at national level. A key anticipated result is increased participation of the public and relevant stakeholders in the preparation of the NRP, both nationally and regionally, particularly in the Gemer region. Local actors, including municipalities, landowners, forest managers, and businesses, will be involved in designing restoration measures and preparing for their future implementation. This participatory approach is expected to generate more realistic and broadly accepted solutions, reduce potential conflicts, and strengthen long-term sustainability. The project will also improve cooperation among public authorities, experts, and local stakeholders and strengthen the capacities of WWF Slovakia and its partners to contribute to restoration processes. Wider access to information and communication activities will increase public understanding of the Nature Restoration Regulation and its opportunities, supporting informed public debate, transparency, and accountability in environmental decision-making. In the longer term, the project is expected to contribute to improved biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, particularly in forest ecosystems and habitats of umbrella species such as lynx and capercaillie. Better-designed restoration measures will also support climate adaptation, enhance ecosystem services, and help reduce human–wildlife conflicts.