€7.1M European Project to Restore Pollinators Officially Kicked Off

PolliConnect is a groundbreaking €7.1 million European project aimed at reversing the alarming decline of wild pollinators across North-West Europe. Co-funded by the Interreg North-West Europe Programme, PolliConnect brings together 14 partners from six countries.

PolliConnect’s Ambitious Goals

Over the next 54 months, PolliConnect will deploy a range of innovative solutions to restore pollinator habitats, aiming to:

  • Increase pollinator biodiversity indicators by 20% in pilot zones.
  • Establish and test 8 Living Labs in 6 countries to develop scalable restoration models.
  • Pioneer cutting-edge tools, including AI-powered wild bee monitoring cameras.
  • Engage and train community garden managers, farmers, and citizens in pollinator-friendly practices.
  • Provide evidence-based data and guidelines to inform public policy and enable replication across Europe.

Official Project Launch in France

The official launch event brought together the consortium in Pas-de-Calais, France, on 18–19 June 2025, marking the start of an ambitious journey to reconnect fragmented landscapes and empower local action for pollinators.

The PolliConnect consortium is composed of 14 partners from six countries: the Flemish Land Agency (VLM), Brussels Environment, Ghent University and the Province of West Flanders from Belgium; Ballyhoura Development CLG from Ireland; the Senator for Environment, Climate and Science – Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and INOVA DE from Germany; the Department of Pas-de-Calais, PLANETE Vegetables, Flowers and Plants, and EFREI University of Paris from France; FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture from Switzerland; and Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Province of Fryslân, and the Municipality of Middelburg from the Netherlands.

PolliConnect is backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with €4.1 million in co-funding, highlighting Europe’s commitment to collaborative, nature-based solutions.