The DESIRE project improves the management of drained peatlands around the Neman river to reduce their nutrient and greenhouse gas emissions. The Neman river basin serves as a model area for EU-Russia/non-EU cooperation. DESIRE rehydrates selected drained peatlands and establishes a sustainable form of land use. Such wetlands serve as filters for water running into the river. The project provides instruments and incentives for others to copy the approach, e.g. adapted river basin management plans and agri-environmental schemes.