With the EU Nature Restoration Regulation entering into force in 2024, freshwater restoration has gained new momentum at EU level, including a commitment to restore at least 25,000 km of rivers to a free‑flowing state by 2030. Member States are now in the critical phase of preparing their National Restoration Plans (NRPs), which must be submitted to the European Commission by September 2026.
These plans will set out national priorities, measures, and financing approaches for the coming years. As national authorities develop these drafts, many are holding public consultations; staying engaged at the national level is essential to ensuring that dam and barrier removal is properly reflected in the final NRPs. For more detailed information on the regulation’s requirements, you can consult the official NRR FAQ.
The Commission has recently published technical guidance on identifying free-flowing rivers. While this guidance is not legally binding, aligning projects with this guidance significantly strengthens their credibility and increases the likelihood they will be adopted by decision-makers.
Besides, the guidance introduces a crucial shift: Member States can now report gradual progress toward achieving free-flowing status. This means that documenting every step of a barrier removal project – from feasibility to implementation – adds immediate value to a country’s national targets.
Projects that are included in NRPs represent concrete commitments by Member States to deliver restoration measures to meet the Regulation’s targets by 2030. Inclusion in the plans therefore, directly influences how authorities plan budgets and mobilize national, private, and EU funding.
Existing or potential funding, for example, through the Open Rivers Programme, can be used strategically to demonstrate that projects are realistic and ready for implementation. In this context, the DRE Helpdesk can support partners by providing guidance and, where useful, by joining meetings with relevant authorities.
While NRPs can be updated over time, influencing priorities is significantly easier before they are submitted in 2026. It is important to include your barrier removal projects in your country’s NRP TODAY, before they are submitted to the European Commission in September 2026!
Now is the moment to engage national allies and ensure that ambitious barrier removal projects are clearly reflected in the plans.