1. Habitats/Ornis Committee
Natura 2000 Award 2014
Habitats/Ornis Committee
Sylvia Barova
Unit B.3-Nature, DG ENV
29-30 April 2014
Brussels

2. Why a Natura 2000 award?
Natura 2000 is centrepiece of EU biodiversity strategy
Europeans feel strongly about nature conservation, but few are familiar with Natura Eurobarometer: 83-99% see nature conservation as important, 11% know what Natura 2000 is
The positive effects of Natura 2000 are not sufficiently known and recognised
20 years of Habitats Directive celebrations and French Natura 2000 award revealed success stories

3. Natura 2000 Award
Aims at promoting best practices for nature conservation in Europe and give more visibility to Natura 2000
Widely announced with direct communication
MS administrations
NGOs and stakeholder groups
LIFE beneficiaries
Media
Meetings
Web and Social networks

4. Natura 2000 Award 2014
5 categories: communication, conservation, reconciling interest and perceptions, networking and cross-border cooperation, socio-economic benefits
163 applications received, evaluated, ranked, 22 shortlisted
Communication 49
Socio-economic benefits 8
Conservation 58
Reconciling interests 38
Networking 10

5. Selection criteria: Effectiveness Originality Durability Cost-benefit
Replicability
Each jury member should have ranked all the applications from the 5 categories, judging their performance against the criteria. They have been asked to make short written notes (2-3 lines for each application) on the application in the Check list provided together with the applications and to have this list filled in at the meeting.
At the Jury meeting members discuss the applicants by category and agree on a winner for each category. The criteria will be the main element to be used by the Jury to select the winners.
In addition and if possible, the Jury will also aim to ensure a balance between Member States and geographical areas.
The jury will aim to take its decisions by consensus.
Whereas the deliberations of the Jury will be confidential (applying the Chatham House rules), the reasons as to why a particular winner has been chosen will be documented in a report of the Jury. This report will be drafted by the Commission and submitted to the Jury members for approval.

6. Applications Communication (4 application)
Conservation (6 applications)
Reconciling interests (6 applications)
Networking and cross-border/cross regional cooperation (3 applications)
Socio-economic interest (3 applications)

7. Natura 2000 Award 2014 - Next steps
Award Ceremony on 21st of May
Local events

8. For more information:
and