Ecosystem restoration has the potential to significantly contribute to reversing biodiversity loss, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, and increasing societal well-being, including gender equality. This policy brief provides the lessons learned from an analysis of ecosystem restoration benefits. The work draws on the experiences of five successful restoration initiatives within Europe: the Altyn Dala, Carpathian Mountains, European Seas, Gökova Bay, and Danube Delta initiatives.

This brief provides specific recommendations for policymakers that they can consider when supporting restoration initiatives.