Strengthening local capacities for NATURA 2000 and nature protection

Goal of this project is to empover sustainable management and protection of the natural resources in Osijek – Baranja County trough public cooperation, inter – sectoral cooperation and application of EU directives.

More:

NATURA 2000

• Ecological network of nature preservation is implemented in 27 EU members
• It is funded for rare, endangered and endemic species and wild animals and plants preservation. Preservation of 230 natural and semi – natural habitats which are listed in supplement of two EU nature protection directives (Birds directive 1979, Habitats directive 1992)
• Until now it includes 25 000 areas and covers almost 1/5 of EU territory (in Croatia 44% of land space)

Activities:

• Preparation faze:
  – Data gathering
  – Project presentation
• Stakeholders education and forming of partnership
  – Educational workshops
  – Cross – sectoral communication
• Establishment of biodiversity monitoring
  – Establishment of standards and monitoring system
  – Data base and information system development
  – Team and volunteer training for biodiversity monitoring
  – Field work
  – Issuing monitoring certificates
• Establishment of the Centre for biodiversity monitoring and nature protection
  – Space adaptation for the Centre’s programme
  – Centre equipping
  – Installation of plant waste water filter
  – Centre opening
• Development of promotional materials (printed and video materials, web page)
• Internal and external evaluation of the project

Project sustainability:

• Signing of the memorandum – interested parties
• Collaboration is achieved trough communication, good EU experience exchange, participation in various activities, projects, informing and problem solving, all related with nature preservation
• Education 2 times a year / monitoring education
• Involving students and volunteers in Centre’s activities
• Informing public about biodiversity

Target groups:

• Department of Biology, University J.J. Strossmayer in Osijek
• NGOs
• State institute for nature protection
• Croatian Waters
• Croatian Forests
• Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit
• Local inhabitants of Osijek – Baranja County
• Private Companies
• Local self government of Osijek – Baranja County
• Schools, education institutions, volunteers, public

Project applicant: Association for nature and environment protection Green Osijek

Project partners: Regional Development Agency of Slavonia & Baranja, State institute for nature protection, University of J.J. Strossmayer – Department of Biology, Volunteer centre Osijek, Croatian society for birds and nature protection

Duration of the project:  28.11.2008. – 28.11.2009.

20-04-2009