At Power to the Peatlands 2026 Conference (2-4 September) in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the European Peatlands Initiative (EPI) officially launched, marking an important milestone for peatland conservation, restoration and sustainable management across Europe.

Advised by the UNEP's Global Peatlands Initiative, the EPI is a European network that brings together governments, the European Commission and stakeholders across Europe to strengthen cooperation, facilitate knowledge sharing, support evidence-based policymaking, augment investment, and take action to conserve, restore and wisely use peatlands.

First proposed at COP26 under the leadership of the Irish government and the UN Environment Programme, and further supported by research commissioned by the Irish Government, which explored the need for a European-wide collaboration to accelerate action for peatlands restoration, conservation and sustainable management, it has grown into a pan-European effort.

A lot of groundwork was carried out by Eurosite – the European Land Conservation Network together with the Michael Succow Foundation, the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), and CEEweb for Biodiversity, to develop the EPI Preparatory Group, which has guided the initiative’s further development.

The launch also marks the official opening of the EPI membership application process. Membership is open to national and regional governments, agencies, and initiatives; non-governmental organisations; research institutions and universities; farmers’ and landowners’ organisations; businesses and other entities that share the EPI’s vision and mission. Organisations across Europe are invited to apply and help shape the future of Europe’s peatlands.

Through government-backed support across Europe and in collaboration with multi-stakeholder partners, the EPI aims to forge strategic partnerships for peatlands, and turn a shared ambition into coordinated action.