The UN World Restoration Flagships are the first, best, or most promising examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration. They already have a tangible and visible impact on the ground. They already have the necessary political and financial support to scale their efforts. The initiatives can come from all ecosystems and any geographic area. They show that bringing back ecosystems from the brink of degradation and loss is possible – and that people around the world are already making it happen.
UN World Restoration Flagships should go beyond individual projects or organizations. The areas under restoration should be clearly connected in some way – by focusing on a certain region, ecosystem, or distinct restoration approach.
The UN World Restoration Flagships stand for both achievement and ambition. They combine real successes with significant global restoration potential yet to be unlocked. They are scalable, strategic, and innovative.
After submitting, the UN World Restoration Flagships entries will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis, through a transparent and inclusive process led by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s Task Force on Best Practices, in close collaboration with other Task Forces and the Advisory Board. The Task Forces and Advisory Board Members will assess proposed initiatives against the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade.
Assessment criteria of nominated World Restoration Flagships:
- Clearly identifiable geographically.
- Initial success of restoration: Compliance with the ten principles for ecosystem restoration to demonstrate that part of the nominated area is already under effective, measurable, and well-documented restoration.
- Potential for upscaling.
- Potential for learning and replicability.
- Additional probability of success.