The overall objective of Contracts2.0 is to develop novel contract-based approaches to incentivise farmers for the increased provision of environmental public goods along with private goods using result-based, collective, land tenure and value chain approaches. Newly developed contract-based approaches are environmentally more effective, economically viable for farmers and support the longevity of contractual arrangements. Moreover, they enlarge farmers’ entrepreneurial freedom and responsibility, and are better adapted to the relevant temporal and spatial scales of specific environmental goods. Contracts2.0 improves existing and designs new contracts in rural areas to realise synergies on the ground: Therefore, Contracts2.0 adapts a Design Thinking process using a six-step iterative process of analytical and creative steps to design and test novel contracts. Further, Contracts2.0 describes novel contract design principles as well as policy guidelines to provide facilitating policy framework. Contracts2.0 activates the experience of 11 existing innovation initiatives and 13 action partners around Europe as a basis for the novel contracts. The initiatices are involved in all steps of the project and i) are pivotal in our analysis of existing initiatives in our 'innovation labs', ii) support experimental testing of novel contract features, and iii) test novel models on the ground. Contracts2.0 provides: An inventory and SWOT analysis of existing result-based, collective, land tenure and value chain approaches; a catalogue of factors facilitating and hindering existing approaches; a set of novel contract design principles; a guideline for policy framework fostering contract-based approaches and the development of appropriate agri-environmental-climate policies; a set of tailor made communication and dissemination materials for target audiences, and new cooperation and innovation networks for ongoing improvement of rural development policies and instruments.

DANUBE_lifelines supports the objective of the Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. The key components of the project include knowledge creation, demonstrating effective solutions, as well as co-creation with stakeholders. The project generates new insights and perspectives on fish migration, habitat quality, and migration corridors improving the status of migratory fish species in the Danube River Basin. It demonstrates measures for protecting and restoring habitat availability, accessibility, and connectivity by removing barriers and pressures and implementing nature-based solutions. Engaging with local actors and national stakeholder groups, conducting training and communication activities, and developing an action plan and roadmap for the replication and scale-up of solutions are also integral parts. DANUBE_lifelines is based on a transboundary, multi-scale and -actor approach that covers several relevant migratory fish species. A basin-wide approach highlights the restoration and conservation needs of migratory fish and their habitats across the Danube River Basin. Furthermore, the project provides a portfolio of solutions for different river sections, including tributaries of the Danube, tailored to local needs and conditions covering the Upper Danube, the Middle and the Lower Danube/Delta. In these regions, integrated approaches are pursued, demonstration activities are learned from and applied, and the conservation of species such as Danube salmon, Pontic shad and sturgeons is improved. Key outputs include the Danube Fish Migration and Connectivity Atlas, identification of hotspot and strict conservation areas for migratory fish, efficiency of restoration measures, mapping the contribution of the Danube Basin to the 25,000 km free-flowing rivers target, an action plan for habitat restoration and conservation, and guidelines and recommendations for replicability.