EU FUNDING OF NATURA 2000 Graham Bennett

PHARE PROJECT CZECH REPUBLIC Implementation of Natura 2000 ● March 2004–September 2005 ● Main partners: – DDH (DK) – DHV (CR) – Palacký University Olomouc (CR) – Syzygy (NL) – IEEP (UK) – Ecosystems Ltd (B) ● First phase: overview of implementation issues in EU member states ● Main work at 15 demonstration sites: – guidelines for managing Natura 2000 sites and capacity-building – training: communication, management planning, monitoring, impact assessment etc. – awareness-raising of local communities and visitors

NATURA COSTS THAT CAN BE CO-FUNDED ● Total costs EU-25 = €6 billion/year – e.g. Hessen €100/ha/year – some countries provide up to 100% funding, e.g. Spain: conservation measures in SCIs ● Administrative costs of establishing Natura 2000 – e.g. site selection process ● Management of the Natura 2000 network – e.g. annual payments to farmers and land owners ● Capital investment and infrastructure development – e.g. land purchase, site restoration measures and visitor facilities ● Compensation payments – e.g. withdrawing existing development permission

EU FUNDING INSTRUMENTS FOR NATURA ● European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) ● The Structural Funds (and Cohesion Fund) ● LIFE

EAGGF ● Rural Development Regulation 1257/99 provides co-funding for: – environmentally friendly farming – farming under restrictions in Natura 2000 areas – forestry practices in rural areas, including improving their ecological status ● Approximately €4.5 billion/year available for all rural development measures ● Examples: – France: agri-env. payments max. €27,000/farm/year, rural development payments €357–233,000 (50%) – Germany: rural development €150–450/ha/year (50%)

STRUCTURAL FUNDS ● Aim: provide co-funding for investment and capital expenditure to promote socio-economic cohesion ● European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): investments for Natura 2000 measures and schemes (as contribution to economic development), e.g. site plans ● European Social Fund (ESF): training and employment schemes, e.g. for Natura 2000 site employees ● LEADER+: “enhance natural and cultural heritage”, e.g. through survey work, management planning, management actions and promotion of Natura 2000 sites – Hessen: LEADER+ provided 34% of €2.9 million ● INTERREG III: transboundary projects in Natura sites

LIFE ● Current programme: LIFE III-Nature (up to 2006) ● Wide range of actions supported, such as: – development of national inventories of habitats and species of Community interest – development of management plans or management guidelines for Natura 2000 sites – concrete actions for the management of the sites – awareness-raising activities ● Site must be designated (about 10% of sites benefit) ● Examples: – UK: habitat restoration 50% of €8 million – France: co-funding max. 75% priority species and habitats – Germany: Biosphere Reserve 75% of €2 million ● Now too late for 2006 application

FUNDING PROPOSALS FOR 2007–2013 ● Funding for Natura 2000 should be provided through major EU funds, not separate fund ● Current proposal: – land management funding for Natura 2000 from European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), including specific payments for Natura sites – ERDF and ESF available to support Natura 2000, particularly in economically disfavoured areas (70% of funds to regions under 75% EU average income) – some funds for Natura 2000 through new LIFE+: “Implementation and Governance” and “Information and Communication”