Mistra funds broad research collaboration on coastal restoration
The research foundation Mistra is funding the research programme Mistra Back2Future, which will lay the foundation for a National Centre for Restoration. "I am very happy that we will have the opportunity to carry out Back2Future and contribute to improving the conditions for successful coastal restoration," says Linda Kumblad, Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre, who will become programme director for the broad collaboration between researchers from three universities, and several authorities and organisations.
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Linda Kumblad has previously led the restoration projects "Levande kust" and the ongoing "Levande vikar", and will next year become programme director for Mistra Back2Future. The picture was taken during a sampling at the restoration site Långbroviken. Photo: Emil Rydin
The aim of the new initiative Mistra Back2Future is to strengthen Sweden's capacity for strategic and future-oriented restoration, and to ensure that scientific knowledge is translated into decision-making and practical application. The goal is to create effective decision support all the way from planning to implementation, with guidance, practical tools and a focus on application and evaluation.
Stockholm University will serve as programme host, and the research programme brings together researchers in nature restoration, ecology, environmental science, social science and environmental law. The consortium also includes the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Uppsala University, as well as authorities and organisations with direct responsibility for the planning and implementation of restoration and management.
"It is wonderful that we have assembled such a strong group with so many different areas of expertise, who can now work together to strengthen nature restoration in Sweden," says Linda Kumblad.
The programme has a particular focus on coastal ecosystems, which are among the most degraded and rapidly changing ecosystems, and where the choice of restoration methods is of great importance.
"Restoration is difficult, particularly in coastal areas where knowledge is limited compared to restoration in limnic and terrestrial areas. Therefore, it is important to develop good tools and other support that can help ensure restoration actually happens – but also that efforts are made in the right places and with the right methods to achieve good and sustained results. The goal is for our joint work to lay the foundation for a National Centre for Restoration where people can turn for inspiration, tools and guidance, or to exchange knowledge and improve coordination," says Linda Kumblad.
The international expert panel that evaluated the programme proposals particularly highlights that the programme combines excellent and innovative research with concrete restoration measures in a highly convincing way, with strong relevance for, among other things, the EU Nature Restoration Law.
"Our hope is that the programme will become a central hub in the important and challenging work of ensuring that valuable natural environments improve rather than deteriorate over time. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable and interesting to address from ecological as well as economic and sociocultural perspectives," says Lisa Almesjö, programme officer at Mistra.
Read the news at Mistra's webpage (in Swedish):
MISTRA BACK2FUTURE
- The research programme MISTRA BACK2FUTURE – Restoring Nature in a Changing World will run from 2027 to 2031.
- The programme has a total budget of SEK 49.8 million, of which SEK 40 million comes from Mistra, through the call Nature restoration - challenges, impacts and conflicting objectives.
- The programme is led by Linda Kumblad, Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre. Other participants from the Baltic Sea Centre include Sofia Wikström, Emil Rydin, Joakim Hansen and Christoph Humborg. From Stockholm Resilience Centre, Örjan Bodin and Thorsten Blenckner participate. From the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences at Stockholm University, Johan Eklöf participates. From the Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University, Fernando Jaramillo participates. From the Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lena Bergström, Ulf Bergström and Carolyn Faithfull participate. From the Department of Law at Uppsala University, Annika Nilsson participates.
- In addition to the senior researchers, one PhD student and four postdoctoral researchers will work in the programme.
- Collaborative partners include the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, several county administrative boards, Nyköping Rivers Water Conservation Association (NVVF), Svealand Coastal Water Management Association (SKVVF) and the Swedish Anglers' Association (Sportfiskarna).
Last updated: 2026-06-11
Source: Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre