The DanubeLifelines project engages in the SPI Dialog: “Building Bridges between Science and Policy for an Effective Cross-Sectoral Implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation” with the focus on the target to restore free-flowing rivers in Europe, coordinated by the BioAgora project.

The Workshop will be held in person in Ghent, Belgium October 1-2, 2025.

What is SPI?

The Science-Policy Interface (SPI) plays a pivotal role in turning scientific insights into concrete policy actions. When science effectively informs policymaking, it empowers environmental policy to become a catalyst for transformative change. A strong SPI bridges the often complex gap between research and regulation, enhancing environmental governance and helping address planetary crises—most urgently, the accelerating loss of biodiversity.

Barriers to Meaningful Dialogues

Yet, the SPI alone cannot drive decisions. Policy is not made in a vacuum; it is shaped by values, beliefs, and competing interests. Individual biases, political ideologies, and social pressures often outweigh scientific evidence, while the pursuit of short-term economic gain or populist views can undermine long-term sustainability.

This tension is reflected in today’s political “Zeitgeist”, where calls to “simplify” or “cut red tape” are frequently used as justifications to weaken environmental protection regulations. While streamlining bureaucracy can sometimes improve implementation, too often it erodes the very regulations designed to safeguard nature.

Hands off Nature!

A current example is the European Union’s open ‘Call for Evidence’, which invites companies, organisations and citizens to give their opinion on whether EU environmental laws in the areas of waste, products, and industrial emissions can be reduced in the “administrative burden without affecting the policy objectives pursued by the legislation”. Many environmental NGOs, however, view this as a potential backdoor to dismantling hard-won protections. Their campaign, “Hands off Nature!”, mobilises public participation to counter this perceived threat. The consultation remains open until September 10:
Have Your Say on EU Environmental Legislation

The Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) Under Fire

After difficult negotiations, the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) barely made it into law—only to face immediate attacks. Critics claim its implementation is unpracticable and overly bureaucratic, arguing that it burdens Member States.

While such concerns may seem reasonable, they fall short in the perception of escalating climate change and biodiversity loss. Weakening environmental advocacy through financial and political pressure, as seen in some Member States, is more than a setback—it undermines the democratic debate itself.

Thus, it is timely and urgent to discuss how we can improve the SPI Dialogue.

What Should the Dialogue Achieve?

The aim is to foster cross-sectoral understanding of the challenges in implementing the NRR, with a focus on freshwater ecosystem restoration and water resilience. Together with EU and Member State policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders, we will:

• Identify key obstacles in river restoration, particularly regarding connectivity.

• Develop actionable recommendations to support the Water Resilience Strategy.

• Reflect on and refine the SPI Dialogue process to make it more transparent, inclusive, and effective.

Who Is Part of the SPI Dialogue?

DanubeLifelines scientists involved in the workpackages Demo Sites (Daniel Hering) and Working with People (Sibylle Schroer) will present the current issues to reach the target of free-flowing rivers and protecting migrating fish habitat. We will discuss the state of the SPI Dialogue with

• EU policymakers from all sectors affecting restoration, water resilience, and river management (including hydropower, agriculture, migratory species, and tourism).

• Member State decision-makers responsible for NRR implementation.

• Scientists from relevant fields, with a special call for social scientists.

• Civil society stakeholders, from grassroots activists to industry representatives.

In short, whether you’re a “dam-buster” or a concrete supplier, your voice matters. Join the Dialogue and register latest by September 18: https://events.pensoft.net/events/bioagora-science-policy-interface-dialogue-workshop-building-bridges