Invitation to tender for projects on Instruments and Measures to Encourage Rewetting

The rewetting of wooded, agricultural and urban/exploited land has the potential to be a significant climate measure in the Nordic countries. Ditches in organogenic soil cause peat decomposition, which triggers emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Rewetting areas like these can lower emissions or, in some cases, even lead to carbon capture and storage. The extent of the impact depends on factors such as water levels, soil fertility, the surrounding vegetation, resilience to climate change and other external factors. 

Several international agreements stress the importance of restoring land that has deteriorated due to human activities and of safeguarding ecological functions and ecosystem services, e.g. climate regulation. The Kunming-Montreal framework sets a target of restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. The EU Biodiversity Strategy stresses the importance of investments in natural capital, e.g. restoring carbon-rich habitats, because they act as economic multipliers and have positive climate effects. The proposed Nature Restoration Regulation highlights that the rewetting of organic soil drained by agriculture benefits biodiversity and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Measures to reduce emissions or increase carbon capture and storage have moved up the political agenda since the European Commission decided in 2022 to raise its target for the total uptake from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). 

In several of the Nordic countries, the rewetting of organogenic soil in forests and on agricultural land has been highlighted as an important measure in work towards achieving national and/or international climate and environmental goals. Here are some general examples of the approaches in the different Nordic countries. 

The point of this invitation to tender is to increase knowledge about and compare the objectives behind rewetting initiatives in the various Nordic countries, the projected effects of the initiatives, and the instruments and measures needed to achieve them. In particular, we are looking for answers to the following questions:

• What is the main objective behind the rewetting initiatives in the different Nordic countries, and what are the differences between them? This can be analysed by asking questions like:
• How is rewetting used as a climate measure in the various Nordic countries? This can be analysed by asking questions like:
• What instruments/measures are used to incentivise different stakeholders to adopt rewetting initiatives? This can be analysed by asking questions like:
• What can we learn from the Nordic countries' strategies for projecting:
  • Direct effects on the climate and environment
  • Indirect effects on things like the surrounding land, production opportunities, infrastructure
  • Synergies/conflicts with other policy goals
  • Cost-effectiveness, for example, of the funds allocated.

The budget for the project is DKK 400,000 (incl. VAT) to cover standard project expenses and any travel costs and expenses related to outreach work presenting the findings.

The NME must receive tenders no later than 11 June 2024, at 15:00 CET. All documents must be submitted by this deadline. Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. A decision will be made in June, and all applicants will be informed of it. The date for reporting will be set in the project contract.

Applications must be e-mailed to NME’s administrative body (registratur.sodraosterbotten@ntm-centralen.fi). The project description/application form and compulsory budget form must all be in one of the Nordic languages or English. Applications must cite the journal number EPOELY/1159/2024.

Attach as separate files the appendices describing in greater detail the factors NME takes into consideration, e.g. an independent project description and CVs.

In assessing submissions, emphasis will be placed on: 

• The project plan – presentation and planning of the work involved
• Methodology and how relevant data and information will be collected and processed
• Competencies, qualifications and allocation of responsibilities between those involved in the project
• Costs per person for the proposed project period, including hourly rates (and other expenses)
• Relevant testimonials
• The Nordic contacts and networks that will be used in the project plus details of proficiency in the Nordic languages
• A timetable
• Plans to communicate the project findings. 

As per the Nordic Council of Ministers’ funding scheme, the project must be of benefit to the Nordic Region and include participants from at least three of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. 

Further information about funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers is available here: 

NME will assess the applications and choose the successful one. However, the working group reserves the right to reject all applications. 

For further information about project content and funding requirements, please refer to the appendices: