HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01: An integrated approach to reversing insect decline across EU landscapes

The aim of this project is to reverse the decline of wild insects, with special attention for particularly threatened, vulnerable or valuable species groups. We will map and build an in-depth understanding of the factors that affect their population dynamics, both generally (across most EU landscapes) and locally/regionally. We will build on existing insect action plans and contribute to action plans in development. We will identify and map stressors or causes of decline/disturbance and develop and test solutions or stress mitigating actions in , capitalizing on established knowledge from long-term monitoring programs in nature reserves, natural and semi-natural environments, know-how and low-hanging fruit

Natuurpunt manages over 30 000 hectares of strictly protected nature reserves, covering a wide diversity of habitats, across Flanders. Additionally, we have in-house expertise both as professionals and over 25 volunteer insect working groups that contribute to long-term population monitoring datasets of different insects groups. Furthermore, as regional partner of observations international, Natuurpunt has been managing and optimising their citizen science approach for years. This puts in a prime position to host and implement demonstration of solutions for the improvement of insect populations or actions to reduce the impact of stressors. Natuurpunt has also contributed to the Flemish/Belgian Red-List of various insect groups.

By cooperating with an international consortium of knowledge partners with expertise in the ecology, stressors/threats, and population and life cycle dynamics of insects, nature organisations that manage nature reserves and potential/actual refuges for wild insects, and associated regions/organisations that aim to establish or expand reverse the insect decline in their respective region through replication and upscaling of project results, we can develop the necessary tools and methods to clearly map threats to insect populations, how to ameliorate these threats and reverse wild insect population decline both in rewilded area, well-managed nature and semi-natural environments like agricultural, urban or peri-urban.

We are looking both for interested partners and a coordinating partner.