EUROLakes Replication Call

The EUROLakes Replication Call is a funding opportunity aimed at local and regional authorities in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The initiative focuses on replicating and adapting nature-based solutions for the restoration and protection of natural lake ecosystems. The total budget for the call is €225,000, which allows for three successful applicants to each receive €75,000 as a lump-sum grant with a 100% funding rate, meaning no co-financing is required.

The call opens on 15 October 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026 at 17:00 CET. This is a single-stage application process, allowing eligible authorities to submit their proposals during this window without prior invitations or expressions of interest.

The project will draw on methodologies tested in three demonstration sites located in Italy, Germany, and Romania. Each successful applicant is expected to collaborate with EUROLakes partners to develop tailored replication plans and roadmaps, enhance local capacity through knowledge exchange and training, and engage various stakeholders in communities of practice.

The expected outcomes from these activities include improved biodiversity, enhanced local governance concerning lake management, and tangible progress towards the EU's environmental policy goals such as the EU Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, and the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030." The call is designed to permit the implementation of small-scale interventions aimed at improving both the ecological and chemical status of targeted lakes, utilizing proven methodologies rather than developing new solutions.

Overall, the EUROLakes Replication Call represents a competitive funding opportunity for local and regional authorities to address challenges in lake ecosystem management while contributing to broader EU objectives in environmental protection and sustainability. Interested applicants can access additional information and application forms through the EUROLakes project website.

The EUROLakes Replication Call is a funding opportunity inviting local and regional authorities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries to apply for funding. The purpose of the funding is to replicate and adapt innovative nature-based solutions (NBS) for the restoration and protection of natural lake ecosystems.

The EU-funded project EUROLakes will select three Associated Regions to transfer methodologies and approaches tested at its demonstration sites in Italy, Germany, and Romania. Each successful applicant will receive up to EUR 75,000 (100% funding rate) as a lump-sum grant to implement small-scale protection and restoration measures.

Successful applicants will collaborate with EUROLakes partners to co-develop replication plans and roadmaps, enhance local capacity through knowledge exchange and training, and establish communities of practice involving key stakeholders. Activities must focus on improving the ecological and chemical status of the target lakes while contributing to EU policy goals, including the EU Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, and the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”.

Expected results include enhanced biodiversity, improved lake governance, and tangible progress towards the 4 Returns Framework for Landscape Restoration, delivering inspiration, social, natural, and financial returns.

The call is open until 15 January 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). Further information and the application form are available at www.eurolakes.eu/fundingopencall.

Key Details:

Opening date: 16 October 2025
Deadline: 15 January 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time)
Deadline model: single-stage
Total funding available: EUR 225,000
Funding per applicant: Up to EUR 75,000 (100% funding rate)
Project acronym: EUROLakes
Full name of the EU funded project: IntEgrated protection and Restoration apprOaches for natUral Lake EcoSystems
Grant agreement number: 101157482
Topic: HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-04 - European natural lakes: demonstration of integrated approaches for protection and restoration of natural lake ecosystems and their biodiversity

In summary, the EUROLakes Replication Call provides funding for local and regional authorities in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries to implement nature-based solutions for restoring and protecting natural lake ecosystems. The project aims to transfer successful methodologies from demonstration sites in Italy, Germany, and Romania to three selected Associated Regions. The funding supports small-scale protection and restoration measures, collaboration with EUROLakes partners, and activities that contribute to EU environmental policy goals. The expected outcomes include improved biodiversity, lake governance, and progress towards landscape restoration, with a focus on ecological and chemical status of lakes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are local and regional authorities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Funding Type: The funding type is a lump-sum grant. It is also described as cascade funding.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, the mention of "Associated Regions" suggests that regional authorities are the intended applicants, implying that single entities are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is environment, specifically focusing on the restoration and protection of natural lake ecosystems. It also touches upon climate, considering the EU Green Deal goals.

Mentioned Countries: Italy, Germany, and Romania are explicitly mentioned as locations of demonstration sites. The opportunity is open to EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on replication and adaptation of existing methodologies, suggesting a stage of validation and demonstration of nature-based solutions. The call aims to implement small-scale protection and restoration measures, indicating a move towards practical application.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is up to EUR 75,000 per successful applicant, with a total funding of EUR 225,000 available for three associated regions. The funding rate is 100%.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump-sum grant. They will also receive non-monetary services through knowledge exchange, training, and participation in communities of practice.

Application Stages: The deadline model is single-stage.

Success Rates: Three applicants will be selected out of all the applications received. It is not possible to determine the success rate with the information provided.

Co-funding Requirement: No, the funding rate is 100%.

Summary:

The EUROLakes Replication Call is an initiative offering funding to local and regional authorities within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The call aims to promote the replication and adaptation of innovative nature-based solutions for the restoration and protection of natural lake ecosystems. The EU-funded project EUROLakes will select three "Associated Regions" to receive up to EUR 75,000 each in the form of a lump-sum grant. This funding is intended to support the implementation of small-scale protection and restoration measures for lakes. Successful applicants will collaborate with EUROLakes partners to develop replication plans and roadmaps, enhance local capacity through knowledge exchange and training, and establish communities of practice involving relevant stakeholders. The activities undertaken must contribute to improving the ecological and chemical status of the target lakes and align with EU policy goals, such as the EU Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, and the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030". The expected outcomes include enhanced biodiversity, improved lake governance, and progress towards the 4 Returns Framework for Landscape Restoration, which encompasses inspiration, social, natural, and financial returns. The application deadline is January 15, 2026. This opportunity provides a chance for local and regional authorities to implement proven methodologies for lake restoration, contributing to broader EU environmental objectives.