RESTORE4Cs has released Policy Brief 7: “Social Acceptability: The Key Ingredient for Enhanced Coastal Wetland Restoration”.
Coastal wetlands deliver essential ecosystem services, biodiversity protection, flood prevention, and carbon storage, yet they continue to face mounting human-driven pressures. As restoration efforts expand across Europe, a critical insight emerges: technical excellence alone is not enough. Without understanding and integrating community values, priorities, and concerns, restoration projects risk social resistance and long-term failure.
RESTORE4Cs’ latest Policy Brief explores how social acceptability shapes the success of wetland restoration across six European coastal wetlands: Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), Valencian Wetlands (Marjal dels Moros, Spain), the South-West Dutch Delta (Netherlands), the Danube Delta (Romania), the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania), and the Camargue (France).
Using a participatory multi-criteria analysis, researchers combined scientific assessments with local stakeholders’ perspectives. Findings show that local economic interests, environmental benefits, and cultural values are key drivers shaping acceptability. Meanwhile, aspects such as trust, participation, and contextual knowledge, although essential, are often undervalued in decision-making.
By recognising the socio-economic and cultural realities of coastal communities, restoration initiatives can enhance legitimacy, reduce conflict, and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Why social acceptability matters for EU policy
Integrating social acceptability into restoration planning directly supports major European and international frameworks, including:
- EU Nature Restoration Regulation, calling for inclusive design and participatory restoration.
- EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, emphasising community involvement.
- EU Climate Law and Green Deal, promoting nature-based solutions rooted in societal support.
- Ramsar Convention, Barcelona Convention, and CBD/GBF, all highlighting participatory governance for biodiversity restoration.
Key Policy Recommendations
Based on project findings, the Policy Brief proposes six priority actions for policymakers:
1. Mainstream social acceptability in restoration planning and funding
Require socio-cultural, economic, and perception-based assessments within all restoration frameworks.
2. Improve communication on climate and ecosystem benefits
Citizen science, educational tools, and targeted outreach can help communities understand wetland value.
3. Identify locally relevant drivers of acceptability
Understanding what matters most, livelihoods, heritage, or environmental benefits, improves decision credibility.
4. Build and maintain trust among institutions and communities
Transparent governance and local intermediaries strengthen collaboration.
5. Strengthen early and continuous stakeholder engagement
Beyond consultation, co-design processes foster ownership and long-term support.
6. Integrate local knowledge and socio-cultural values
Recognising traditional practices and cultural identity enriches restoration strategies and strengthens stewardship.
Read and download the 7th Policy Brief in the Case Pilot languages (Romanian, Portuguese, Dutch, Lithuanian, French, and Spanish) here.
Read the full RESTORE4Cs 7th Policy Brief below:
