1. Prioritised Action Frameworks for financing Natura 2000
Habitats Committee
Brussels, 26 April 2012

2. Biodiversity policy context
Target 1 of EU biodiversity strategy (nature conservation):
100% improvement in the conservation status of habitats and 50% improvement in the status of species of EU importance by 2020
Actions (among others):
Complete the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and ensure good management;
Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites.

3. State of implementation of Natura 2000
Most SPAs and SCIs in place
6 years to designate SCIs as SACs and establish conservation measures
SAC deadline now increasingly overdue
Many Natura 2000 sites in poor condition – need active restoration
Article 8 foresees EU co-financing

4. Strategy for EU co-financing of Natura 2000
“At EU level, a strengthened integrated approach using the various EU sectoral funds, ensuring their consistency with the priorities of Natura 2000 action frameworks, together with an enhanced LIFE Biodiversity strand, will provide a strong basis for the new Natura 2000 financing strategy“
Environmental Policy fiche of Communication on 'A budget for Europe 2020'

5. Strategy in COM Staff Working Paper on Financing Natura 2000
Better strategic planning for financing Natura 2000 by MS and Commission
Improved definition of Natura 2000 management requirements for targeted action
Strengthening awareness about socio-economic benefits from Natura 2000 management
Consider other forms of funding for Natura 2000, including innovative financing

6. Role of PAFs PAFs are planning tools to strengthen integration
Strategic focus on the most important priorities
Describe Natura 2000 activities to be financed
Provide an integrated overview of how to achieve them having regard to funding instruments
Aim to assist MS with partnership contracts and OPs for the funds covered by the Common Strategic Framework
MS still need to specify their financing needs for Natura 2000 under the relevant plans or programmes.
Aim to ensure complementarity and consistency of financing of Natura 2000 under programmes with PAF

7. Proposed format for Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs)
A. Introductory overview of Natura 2000 network for territory;
B. Status of the habitats and species;
C. Legal and administrative provisions for protection and management of Natura 2000;
D. Current experience with use of EU financial instruments;
E. Current estimate of financial needs for management of Natura 2000 for territory;
F. Strategic conservation priorities for Natura 2000 for ;
G. Description of key measures to achieve priorities;
H. Monitoring, evaluation and updating.

8. Changes to format since last Hab. Committee
Limited feedback since last meeting
Most substantial comments by DE largely addressed in new version
Minor change to format (Section D – recognising « regional » dimension)
Some additions/clarifications to explanatory notes (incorporating elements from SWP, links to Art. 17 reporting protocols and update on relevant studies)

9. PAFs and LIFE Integrated Projects (IPs)
PAFs valuable tool for future LIFE IPs
Concept of IP originally developed for NAT2000 as a natural complement to PAFs
LIFE strategic support to PAFs development and kick off their implementation
possibility to finance regional/national programmes (PAFs) already under last call -10 proposals/ BE, ES, FI, IT, LA, SL, UK
LIFE IP key tool to help deliver PAFs and test approaches to strengthen integration

10. Next steps Agree on final format at this Hab Com
MS establish National/Regional PAFs
COM will send official letter to MS requesting them to officially submit 1st PAFs to COM by end of 2012
Bilateral discussions between COM and MS as necessary
COM will use PAFs in its evaluation of OPs
No formal adoption of PAFs per se - main approval to be achieved through relevant operational programmes
Opportunity to update PAFs in light of improved knowledge etc.

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