Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:citizen engagement in nature conservation and restoration is leveraged;new business opportunities and markets in the area of nature conservation and restoration are created, thus supporting the EU objectives of nature restoration for climate mitigation and adaptation. Scope:The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 acknowledges that protecting and restoring nature will need more than regulation alone and will notably require action by citizens. This topic intends to support citizens willing to take directly part in nature protection and restoration. It is expected to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and in particular to its target 21. A wide range of ecosystem types (in terrestrial environment, in fresh and/or marine water) can be considered.Successful proposals are expected to:explore innovative approaches that could apply to nature conservation and restoration activities;develop and test new ways to restore and conserve nature that can be directly implemented by citizens at small scale. Activities are expected to go beyond monitoring, without totally excluding monitoring activities if they are needed to support innovations;engage with diverse local communities and/or indigenous people and consider gender and disability-sensitive and inclusive approaches to ensure equal participation and benefits for all;assess the possible contribution of citizens to overall biodiversity objectives and design and test social incentives that encourage citizens to take an active role in nature conservation and restoration. Proposals should address some of the following activities:Development, testing and marketing of citizen toolkits for species conservation, with the following scope: animal species across various taxonomic groups, including pollinating and not pollinating insects;protected species or species threatened with extinc