Nature is the life all around us, the living soil, the plants, animals and insects. Nature helps us stay healthy and happy. Nature cleans our air and our water, absorbs carbon, cools cities, grows our food. And nature protects us from floods, storms and erosion.
Now, nature needs us. We are putting ever more pressure on the natural world. Overuse of resources and pollution are weakening ecosystems, destroying habitats, pushing thousands of species to extinction each year.
The good news is - you can help.
#ForOurPlanet 2026 is all about nature restoration—helping damaged ecosystems recover so they can become healthy, resilient, and full of life again.
There's a lot to do. We need to restore habitats, to help species and ecosystems thrive. And there's a lot to gain. Healthy soils and pollinators help ensure reliable food production. Greener environments, in cities or the countryside, are cleaner, fresher, more enjoyable places to live.
Projects around the world are already driving real change, from classrooms to communities, in neighbourhoods and cities - and far beyond.
The 2026 #ForOurPlanet Prize is here to help inspire you and let you show your support.
Vote for your favourite projects
We've also gathered tips from around Europe. Learn how you can make a difference with a few simple actions at home, or how to get out and work with your community and others to help bring back nature.
Healthy soil is the foundation of life. It produces our food, stores carbon, filters water, and supports an incredible diversity of life beneath our feet.
But in the EU, two thirds of soils are unhealthy due to erosion, pollution, loss of organic matter, and unsustainable land use. Once degraded, soil can take decades to recover.
“Soils are the missing link between the environment, food, and our wellbeing”, says athlete and agricultural engineer Pierre Destailleur, who has been running across Europe to help educate and raise awareness.
Restoring soils means protecting them from further damage and helping them recover, by reducing pesticides and chemicals, supporting organic and nature-friendly farming, and working with natural processes.
To get started, look no further than your own garden, there is a lot you can do at home – such as building a pond or just being lazier!
Biodiversity is in steep decline.
Each ecosystem depends on a balance between species and their environment. Bringing nature back helps rebuild this balance, and helps ecosystems cope with climate change, wildfires, and even disease outbreaks.
Pollinators like bees and butterflies for example are essential, yet their populations are declining. “Their loss directly threatens our future”, says Nynke Blömer, Co-founder of Pollinator Ambassadors. “One of the biggest threats to pollinators is the lack of habitat and food. But even without land or money, you can act and make a difference”
Bringing nature back into our lives can be so easy, and it can also have direct and immediate benefits – such as lowering sweltering summer temperatures by 6°C by adding plants and trees.
“Everyone has a role to play in restoring nature. You do not need a degree in biology”, says Reinhardt Strubbe, who manages sand-dune restoration projects. For example, anyone can be an early warning system by noticing and reporting invasive species, a huge threat to local ecosystems.
A strong belief in the power of citizen actions for nature is also what drives Mihaela Dolan, who has hitchhiked around the world organising community clean-up events. “One positive action can ripple into thousands of others”.
Anu Harkki inspires older people like herself to learn about the environment and to make their voices heard to protect it. “It's only when I became a grandmother that I truly understood the scale of the crisis and its impact on future generations”.
Tips from around Europe
"Choose native species for your garden. You provide a haven for local insects and birds rather than a launchpad for an invasion."
"Ask your local council to reduce mowing to let wildflowers bloom."
"Our food choices have a direct impact on soil health."
"Long-term success depends on how well a plant fits its environment, not just its initial visual appeal."
"Eat less red meat. Beef production alone uses around half of the Earth’s agricultural land."
"Organise a cleanup with friends, family, or coworkers. Choose a spot that matters to you personally."
"A well-designed pond will naturally attract wildlife."
"Don’t be satisfied with just grass and flowerbeds."
"Ladybugs, hoverflies and laceflies keep pest populations in check for free."