The launch event for the LIFE Humedales Integrated Project, held in Irún, Spain, on 1 February, marked the start of the largest initiative of its kind in the programme’s history. With a total budget of €271 million, the project aims to restore more than 26,100 hectares of wetlands across 17 Spanish provinces over the next decade.

The event brought together representatives from national, regional, and local administrations, who emphasised collaboration and consensus as essential pillars for achieving long-term impact. Supported by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the European Commission, regional governments, and partner organisations, the project underscores a strong institutional commitment to protecting wetlands, essential ecosystems for biodiversity, climate adaptation, and mitigating extreme weather events.

The Iberian Center for River Restoration (CIREF), a partner in the SpongeBoost project consortium, was represented at the expert roundtable by Aniela Stachnik, who offered insights on governance, public participation, and ecological restoration. Drawing on experience from SpongeBoost and other projects in which CIREF is involved, she highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches for achieving effective and sustainable ecosystem restoration.

Watch the recorded session here.