REVIVING LANDSCAPES, CONNECTING SPECIES: LESSONS FROM THE RECO PROJECT

Abstract

The ReCo project (Interreg Central Europe 2021–2027) demonstrates how coordinated ecosys-tem restoration and enhanced ecological coopera-tion can foster recovery of biodiversity along the European Green Belt. This unique corridor, span-ning over 12,500 km and connecting 24 countries along the former Iron Curtain, represents a remark-able natural and cultural heritage. Serving as the backbone of the Pan-European Ecological Network, the Green Belt significantly contributes to Europe’s green infrastructure. The area encompasses 40 na-tional parks, and within a 50-km buffer on either side, over 3,200 protected areas which collectively cover almost all European biogeographical regions.