The EU Guidance Handbook and IT Tool for Financing Natura 2000 a new approach?

Transcription

1 Linking Management and Financing of Natura 2000 The EU Guidance Handbook and IT Tool for Financing Natura 2000 a new approach? Peter Torkler, WWF, Malta 11 and

2 Content Limits and opportunities of different EU funding options Information about the two EC contracts The updating of the Natura 2000 Guidance Handbook The IT Tool its use and potential

3 Limits of Life+ Estimated costs of N2000 for EU 25: 6,1 billion Euro Integration option: Use of existing Community funds To ensure that management of Natura 2000 sites is part of the wider land management policies of the EU Allows MS to set national priorities Avoids duplication of different Community funding Alberto Arroyo Schnell, WWF Inte

4 Duration: to Budget: billion LIFE+ funding important but limited at least 78% of LIFE+ for the co-financing of project action grants under 3 priorities at least 50% of this amount is for nature and biodiversity projects up to 22% for operational expenses of DG Environment Published in OJ L , first call ends 30.11!

5 LIFE is limited because ,8 2,1 ERDF EAFRD EFF LIFE Funds bn

6 Regional development fund Development of management plans SustainableTourism activities Environmental education Information society actions for monitoring European Social Fund Indirect possibilities through job creation Rural development funding Management plans Agri-Environment payments and Natura 2000 payments Natural and cultural heritage Wider opportunities Funding sources

7 Goal: Support the integration of funding needs for Natura 2000 into other funds and information how community funds could be used for co-financing EC motivation: To ensure that management of Natura 2000 sites is part of the wider land management policies of the EU Allows MS to set national priorities Avoids duplication of different Community funding Financing Natura 2000 The two contracts!

8 The first EU contract Financing Natura st contract! Guidance and Workshops how to Finance Natura 2000 Dec March 2007 Guidance Handbook in 22 languages 34 Workshops in 27 Member States and 2400 participants Message: Integration is the right approach but doubt that implementation will work

9 The second EU contract Financing Natura nd contract! Linking Management with Financing Natura 2000 Nov 2006 till March 2008 Updating of the Guidance Handbook in 22 languages Development of an IT Tool with Information Brochure and concrete examples Workshops in 27 Member States

10 Financing Natura nd contract! Provide better tools how to use funds for site managing by: Updating the handbook IT tool to link mangement of Natura 2000 with financing Demonstrates possibilities how measures can be financed throught the integration option by EU funds Pilots show how EU and national level can be linked Gives also a clearer picture on funding gaps

11 Challenges and solutions What we need for the future is: A more systematic approach to analyse complementary funding options A better understanding among environmental actors how to better use not purely environmental funding instruments for nature! To encourage non environmental actors to take responsibility for the implementation of Natura 2000 More support/information for projects that use the wider funding opportunities of all the different funds! One good baseline for the future could be the IT Tool on financing Natura 2000

12 The Financing Natura 2000 Guidance Handbook What is the handbook for (Objectives, use and target audience) The updating (From draft regulations to the final ones, other revisions worth mentioning) The value of the revised Handbook

13 What is the objective? Point out funding possibilities across EU funds Address all potential groups of beneficiaries Identify all categories of Natura funding needs => Link all these elements in an user-friendly way and possible use of the handbook.. Provide an overview on the opportunities for EU cofinancing for Natura 2000 Check if funding is provided for all necessary Natura 2000 actions Check if all funding opportunities for Natura 2000 are actually being used Support the future review of programs Give important background information for the development of management plans but! Actual funding opportunities decided at national level!

14 Who is the target audience? Authorities responsible for formulating national and regional programs ( ) Authorities involved in the implementation of Natura 2000, especially the development of management plans for Natura 2000 sites Stakeholders living in, working on, or managing Natura 2000 sites (direct beneficiaries or experts who advise on activities related to Natura 2000 sites)

15 The updating

16 What did we update and how Analyzing the final Regulations (for all but EAFRD) Reflecting any input from the Member States If needed, consultations with relevant Commission DGs General updating of info, adding more relevant info, polishing text etc. Changing the layout

17 The value of the revised Handbook! Time has passed - the objectives of the Handbook still hold Through out the Handbook will help to identify opportunities available for Natura 2000 through the EC integrated funding approach monitor / review the content of national funding programmes monitor / review if all possible options for Natura 2000 funding are taken up develop the N2K management plans

18 The tool was developed using the following technologies: Flash frontend XML data interface MySQL database PHP Import for Excel-Files Advantages: Easy data updates Integration of multiple languages Mostly Opensource The IT - Tool How it was developed

19 The IT - Tool and what it is good for The tool should simplify the handbook and give an easy access. The tool should lead to existing Natura 2000 funding options. It should help discover new funding opportunities. It should demonstrate the national use based on three pilot areas.

20 The IT - Tool How it is?

21 In the menu bar you will find all links and informations about Natura 2000 and the funds! Introduction: You can complete the application in 5 easy steps. Find information about Natura 2000 on the left! The yellow button takes you to the next screen!

22 Step 1 Country / Region: Have a look at the map and pick the country that you live in. Example: Italy

23 Please note: If you choose one of the orange countries, Results include national data. If you choose a grey country, you will only receive EU funding options.

24 Example: Tuscany Country / Region: After you have chosen a country you have to select a region.

25 Example: Improvement of water quality Step 2 Measure: Type in the name of your planned measure.

26 Step 3 Role: Select the role you will have as a beneficiary to fund your measure.

27 Example: Public landowner

28 Step 4 Land Type: On this screen you will choose the land type in which your project is located.

29 Example: Inland waters

30 Step 5 Activities: These categories are suggested according to the communication from the EC on financing Natura There are 25 measures grouped under these four categories. You have to choose which category best fits your measure. Please note: Sometimes several possibilities may apply. In this case you can go through the selection again and decide which of the suggested results suits your measure best.

31 Step 5 Activities: Browse a category and select the activity that relates to your measure the most. Example: Category C

32 Example: Activity 12

33 Also get a detailed overview of the articles concerned and identify which national sources are available from your individual PDF report! Done! Find an overview of all funding options.

34 PDF-Report: Your personal report with all details can be downloaded and printed for later reference.

35 The Information Brochure An Introduction to the IT Tool It should. motivate advertise and promote show the functions and non functions of the tool demonstrate with the pilot sites that the tool is easy to adapt for the national level! The brochure is not: A manual for the IT Tool An information brochure for the funding opportunities

36 Thank you! Peter Torkler