LIFE at SERE 2024 - 14th European Conference on Ecological Restoration

The LIFE Special Sessions have become an integral part of the SERE conferences. In 2024, the LIFE sessions showcased the contribution of the LIFE projects for the implementation of the EU Nature Directives (Habitats and Birds Directives) and other EU policies, programmes and funding instruments such as relevant pillars of the Green Deal (in particular the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the European Climate Law), the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation. The LIFE sessions demonstrated the wealth of experience and know-how gathered via the LIFE projects in terms of ecological restoration, which is very relevant with regards to the recently adopted Nature Restoration Law.

There was a series of contributions from selected LIFE projects which highlighted win-win scenarios of implementing conservation measures while at the same time meeting important policy objectives. We aimed not only to showcase successes but also to illustrate obstacles and setbacks to implementation, which were addressed and taken home as essential learnings from this event.

The conference covered all habitat types in 13 exciting sessions dealing with marine, freshwater, wetland, forest, and grassland restoration. The event featured three sessions dedicated to LIFE projects and more than 40 LIFE projects attended the conference.

The recordings are available on the LIFE Programme YouTube channel.