Project

ReBorn

Bio-based and Nature-driven Recovery of Conflict-Affected Regions for Resilient and Regenerative Futures

AcronymReBorn
FundingEuropean Research Executive Agency, European Commission (Program for Research and innovation of the European Union – Horizon Europe)
Duration36 months
CoordinatorEratosthenes Centre of Excellence

Overview

ReBorn creates Living Spaces in conflict affected and fragile territories to drive regenerative recovery that is inclusive, practical, and scalable. It begins by mapping socio political systems, conflict impacts, governance gaps, and human security dynamics, and distilling lessons from past recovery efforts.

In parallel it profiles each territory’s vulnerabilities and post crisis environmental degradation, builds a spatial baseline with EO, field data, and local knowledge, and deploys a digital platform that hosts communities, data flows, and early co design. Through on the ground facilitation, communities set up participatory governance and extreme citizen science to capture SWENA indicators and lived experience, then run foresight exercises to co prioritize risks and define success.

Using these inputs, ReBorn designs typology based portfolios of circular, bio based, and nature based options, curates frugal local innovations, and prepares context sensitive blueprints and implementation pathways that fit land use planning and service constraints, supported by interoperable digital tools. Validation combines scenario simulations with environmental and circularity assessment and life cycle sustainability analysis to expose trade offs and improvement options.

ReBorn then codesigns readiness diagnostics, social impact reflections, and deployment roadmaps with institutions and communities, connects outcomes to policy narratives and multi level dialogues, and tests lightweight enablers that support social innovation.

Replication is enabled through a methodology and toolkit with triple nexus and human security criteria, exploratory scoping of new territories, and a modular model and scale up roadmap. Long term uptake is supported by value propositions, inclusive business models, a practical exploitation and sustainability toolkit, targeted capacity building, alliances and outreach, and investor engagement that links solutions to financing and ownership beyond the project.

AGFUTURA Role

AGFT will contribute by analysing lessons from recovery and reconstruction initiatives in Croatia and Palestine, focusing on institutional innovation, donor coordination, policy gaps, land-use conflicts, social inclusion, and ecological restoration. Particular attention will be given to barriers affecting nature-based and resource-efficient solutions.

AGFT will also support the development of tailored value propositions for selected Key Exploitable Results through engagement with public authorities, businesses, civil society, and local communities. Its role will include assessing economic, social, environmental, and governance value, identifying adoption barriers, evaluating market readiness, and exploring opportunities for sustainable social and financial impact, replication, and wider uptake.