Community of Practice on Freshwater Restoration

About the Freshwater Restoration Community of Practice

The Freshwater Restoration Community of Practice (CoP) brings together practitioners working to restore rivers, wetlands and watersheds, primarily at the country level - to learn from one another and strengthen restoration efforts. The CoP offers a regular virtual space where members can share experiences, exchange practical approaches, ask questions, and work through common challenges.  

By connecting professionals working in diverse ecological, social, and policy contexts, the CoP supports collective learning and advances effective freshwater ecosystem restoration worldwide. 

The Unique Value of the Freshwater Restoration CoP 

The Freshwater Restoration CoP combines the strengths of two international restoration networks: 
 

• The Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program (ERIP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and led by Conservation International in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and World Bank. ERIP works across 20 countries to place 1.7 million hectares under restoration and 6 million hectares under improved land management practices, contributing to a more resilient future for people and the planet. 
   
• The Freshwater Challenge is a voluntary, country-led partnership that already includes 54 countries and the European Union as members. The coalition aims to restore 300,000 kilometers of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands by 2030, while securing the protection of freshwater ecosystems important for biodiversity and ecosystem services.  
   

Together, these initiatives include a wide range of organizations, practitioners, and government partners working on restoration across varied ecological and institutional contexts. The Freshwater CoP provides a shared space for connection and knowledge exchange among these efforts, helping restoration practitioners access relevant experiences, lessons learned and practical insights that can inform their own work.  

How You Can Get Involved

Participation in the Freshwater Restoration CoP is flexible and designed to fit alongside existing work. Practitioners can sign up to join the CoP and participate at the level that works best for them. 

Freshwater CoP events include:

• Quarterly virtual meetings focused on discussion and practical exchange, where participants share experiences, discuss common challenges, and help identify topics for future learning. No preparation or follow-up work is required.
• Occasional webinars on specific freshwater restoration topics, featuring expert input alongside perspectives from the field.

Outside of live sessions, participants can also connect at any time, from anywhere in the world, through posts on the ERIP Forum, which offers a voluntary space for informal exchange and resource sharing. The Forum complements CoP activities but is not the principal means of participation.