Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1142of 19 May 2026on the request for registration, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of the European citizens’ initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors(Only the Italian text is authentic)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1142 of 19 May 2026 on the request for registration, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of the European citizens’ initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors (Only the Italian text is authentic) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the European citizens’ initiative OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 55, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/788/oj. , and in particular Article 6(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) A request for registration of a European citizens’ initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors was submitted to the Commission on 2 April 2026. (2) The aim of the initiative as expressed by the organisers is to call on the Commission to present a proposal based on Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to reconnect nature in Europe through a coordination framework for ecological connectivity between inland water and land ecosystems and overcome ecosystem fragmentation and support biodiversity and resilience. According to the organisers, the regulatory framework should: promote common tools: technical criteria, integrated monitoring and data sharing to map ecological corridors; ensure cross-border coordination: facilitate cooperation between Member States for connectivity across the continent; and strengthen Natura 2000: enhance coherence between sites and other protected areas, preventing the isolation of habitats and species. (3) The Commission considers that, based on Article 192(1) TFEU, it could adopt a proposal for a directive to reconnect nature in Europe through a coordination framework for ecological connectivity between terrestrial and inland water ecosystems and to overcome ecosystem fragmentation, supporting biodiversity and resilience. (4) For that reason, the Commission considers that none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. (5) That conclusion does not affect the assessment of whether the concrete substantive conditions required for the Commission to act, including compliance with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity and compatibility with fundamental rights, would be met in this case. (6) The group of organisers has provided appropriate evidence that it fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 and has designated the contact persons in accordance with Article 5(3), first subparagraph of that Regulation. (7) The initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious, nor is it manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union or to the rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

(8) The initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors should therefore be registered. (9) The conclusion that the conditions for registration under Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 are fulfilled does not imply that the Commission in any way confirms the factual correctness of the content of the initiative, which is the sole responsibility of the group of organisers of the initiative. The content of the initiative only expresses the views of the group of organisers, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The European citizens’ initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors shall be registered.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the group of organisers of the citizens’ initiative entitled Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors, represented by Pier Giovanni CAPELLINO and Claudine AYALA COBO acting as contact persons. Done at Strasbourg, 19 May 2026. For the Commission Maroš Šefčovič Member of the Commission