1. Natura 2000 management group Brussels, 19 May 2011
Update on Financing Natura including "Prioritized Action Frameworks"
Natura 2000 management group
Brussels, 19 May 2011

2. Importance of Financing Natura 2000
Implementation of EU nature legislation is a key objective of the new EU biodiversity strategy.
TARGET 1: FULLY IMPLEMENT THE BIRDS AND HABITATS DIRECTIVES –
Action 2: Ensure adequate financing of Natura 2000 sites
The key practical measure under this legislation is the protection and effective management of the Natura 2000 network.
Article 8 of the Habitats Directive links implementation of Natura 2000 to the provision of EU co-financing.
In new EU Biodiversity Strategy Commission has saide that it will set out its views on future financing in Natura 2000 in 2011
Whereas the EU financial support framework for the multi-annual financial framework has yet to be decided it is almost certain that this will embrace an 'integration approach'

3. Context for PAFs
Relatively low allocation and uptake of funds highlights need for more strategic multi-annual planning approach
PAFs will provide a stronger basis for alignment of Natura 2000 financing needs with other EU programme based approaches
Better definition of needs should also help identify and address gaps in current administrative and other capacities
Limited resources and potential financial constraints, require better definition of priorities for action
A more strategic multi-annual approach should also provide a better framework for focusing on optimising the contribution of Natura 2000 to achieving the 2020 biodiversity target

4. What are PAFs?
frameworks to establish priorities in relation to EU co-financing of certain measures for Natura 2000, identifying the potential role of EU funds to the national Natura 2000 network for the next Financial Perspective and setting out the prioritised actions to be taken, including monitoring and evaluation measures.
Article 8 of the Habitats Directive already foresees the need to develop "a prioritized action framework " (PAF), to be taken when sites are designated as Special Areas of Conservation
For the Member States concerned to decide on whether national and/or regional frameworks to be prepared

5. Approach to date
Initial consultation on PAFS with Member States and key stakeholders in framework of Nature Directors (BE presidency) and CGBN (08/04/2011)
Informal meeting of Habitats Committee members on 15 April and of Habitats Committee on 13 May 2011 to discuss format for PAF

6. Suggested Structure of the PAF format
A. Introductory overview of Natura 2000 network for territory
B. Status of the Habitats and Species
C. Legal & administrative provisions for protection & 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 objectives & priorities for Natura 2000 for
G. Description of key measures to achieve objectives and priorities
H. Monitoring, evaluation and updating

7. Some of issues being raised
general view that focus of PAFs should not be limited to priority habitats & species
Where information already provided by MS (eg Art 17 report) this will be prefilled – more problematic for birds
need for opportunity to highlight obstacles encountered, and lessons learned but also to underline best practice success and simple cost-effective solutions that have been applied
Need for clear focus on priorities – for progress in achieving favourable conservation status
Recognise the difficulty of identifying most appropriate funding sources as new funds not yet defined

8. next steps COM to send MS revised format by end of May
COM will aim to provide some further guidelines on filling out sections – if possible with examples
MS should fully consider opportunity to submit application for support in developing PAFs under LIFE+
Aim for final version of PAF format to be presented to Habitats Committee for September meeting
Aim is for PAFs to be in place by end of 2012 – would mean first submission to COM by summer 2012