EU LIFE fund makes a difference for Natura 2000 - Europe’s network of protected areas

Over the course of more than four decades, the EU LIFE programme has been playing a vital role in the establishment and management of the EU Natura 2000 network – the biggest coordinated network of protected areas in the world today. The session will present how the programme contributes to the identification of the sites on land and sea, their designation and setting up of conservation objectives and measures. One of the key roles of today’s LIFE Programme is supporting the Natura 2000 network governance - by building capacities, establishing relationships between multiple stakeholders, including otherwise reluctant parties; developing strategies to achieve set goals; enabling communication between actors at different levels; andmobilising resources for nature conservation, increasing awareness about importance of nature, involving volunteers and opening doors to cross-border cooperation.