Global challenges such as biodiversity loss, nature restoration and ocean pollution require joint solutions and strong international cooperation. To address these issues, a virtual networking event was hosted by the Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels (LINO), in collaboration with the National Contact Points (NCP) group and international partners.
The event, “Joining forces for nature restoration, biodiversity and oceans: Horizon Europe Cluster 6 opportunities” brought together more than 140 researchers and experts from over 11 countries. Alongside European participants from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Ukraine, researchers from Canada also took part, extending collaboration across the Atlantic.
More than 50 pitch presentations were delivered during the event, with participants sharing their scientific expertise, research priorities, and project ideas. The networking sessions offered valuable opportunities to establish new contacts, identify potential partners and initiate dialogue with organizations developing innovative solutions in the fields of biodiversity, nature restoration and ocean research.
A dedicated session focused on practical aspects of project development. Lukas Varnas, a representative of the European Commission’s The European Research Executive Agency (REA) offered insights into preparing successful project proposals and the evaluation process. In addition, Jolanta Revaitienė, programme coordinator in the NCP group, presented the 2026 Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls and highlighted their main priorities.
In her welcoming address, policy analyst at LINO, Živilė Grabauskė emphasized that complex challenges such as ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, pollution and citizen engagement cannot be tackled in isolation and that international cooperation is essential for achieving meaningful results.
The strong engagement and active participation throughout the event once again highlighted the high level of interest in nature conservation and restoration within the Horizon Europe framework and more broadly among society and the Lithuanian research community.
The event was co-organized by:
- Lithuanian RDI liaison office and NCPs at the Research Council of Lithuania
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Liaison Office in Brussels for UA R&D Community and Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine
- Latvian Council of Science
- Estonian Research Council
- VINNOVA – Swedish innovation agency
- Research Council of Finland
Invitation to CLEAN HYDROGEN CALLING: AN OPEN DIALOGUE | Online | February 13 at 1:30 p.m.
International cooperation for nature restoration, biodiversity and ocean challenges
