Since the adoption of the Nature Restoration Regulation in June 2024, work on the national Nature Restoration Plans (NRPs) has been ongoing both at the EU level and within Member States. At the EU level, the European Commission has produced a series of guidance documents to support Member States in implementing various aspects of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). FACE continues to participate as an observer in the Expert Group on the Nature Restoration Regulation, where discussions on several key aspects of the regulation are progressing.

In May, the Commission adopted the uniform format for NRPs, which Member States are required to use when drafting their plans. One of the most anticipated documents is the report on funding needs and financial resources available for restoration, which the Commission was initially expected to publish by the end of August 2025. However, this report has been delayed and will be released at a later date. It is reasonable to assume that, in order to ensure effective policy implementation, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) should be presented first.

In this context, the recently published EC roadmap towards nature credits is key. According to the roadmap “nature credits could be considered as a unit that represents a nature-positive outcome, derived from a certified and independently verified action and quantified using a recognised biodiversity metric or indicator. Buyers may include companies in downstream sectors (e.g. agrifood companies), financial institutions, public entities, or citizens, particularly in the context of voluntary contributions, public procurement, or local benefit-sharing schemes.” Ensuring that restoration gets

The Nature Restoration Regulation and the National Restoration Plans will play a crucial role in restoring habitats across the EU, including farmland habitats, which are essential for the future of small game species.