The RECOVERY of degraded and transformed ecosystems in coal mining-affected areas (RECOVERY) project focuses on land rehabilitation and ecological restoration of coal mining-affected areas, aiming to accelerate the recovery of degraded and transformed ecosystems to a good ecological status. The project will assess the contribution of these ecosystems to human well-being using the innovative concept of ecosystem services, evaluating the consequences of alternative courses of action to ensure their capacity to provide benefits to society is not reduced but, where possible, increased.