Blue Revival

Project name: Blue Revival: Sustainable Solutions for Lake Ecosystems (EE-LV00223)
Funding source: Co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Estonia–Latvia Programme 2021-2027
Programme priority: Sustainable and resilient programme area
- 3.1. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution
EU co-funding: 835.369,80 EUR (80%)
Public, private contribution: 208.842,45 EUR (20%)
Project duration: 34 months, January 2026 - October 2028
Project manager: Margit Säre, margit. sare @gmail.com
Project partners:
Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation, Estonia (lead partner)
University of Tartu Estonian Marine Institute, Estonia
Development Association of Peipsi Fishery Area, Estonia
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Latvia
Valmiera municipality, Latvia
Project aim: To enhance biodiversity and improve water quality in lake Peipsi (Estonia) and lake Burtnieks (Latvia) by restoring lake ecosystems through nature-based and science-driven solutions. The project focuses on the removal of the invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the innovative valorisation of the collected biomass. By removing mussels together with the nutrients bound to them, the project contributes to reducing eutrophication in large lake ecosystems while supporting circular economy approaches, such as the use of mussel shells and biomass for fertilisers or other products.
Blue Revival brings together research institutions, non-governmental organisations and local authorities from Estonia and Latvia. Project partners jointly develop and test mussel collection and cleansing methods, carry out pilot activities in lake Peipsi and lake Burtnieks, and collect environmental data to assess the impact of restoration actions.
In addition, the project places strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement through workshops, field visits, public events and outreach activities targeting local communities, policy-makers and practitioners.