1. The SURF-Nature project –
Let´s improve the use of Regional Funds together!
Peter Torkler, WWF Germany, SURF – nature project coordinator
22 March, 2013

2. Content. The SURF Nature Interreg IVc project - Background
SURF advocacy towards next programming – Results
After SURF - Conclusions

3. Sustainable Use of Regional Funds
SURF nature, INTERREG IVc
To improve regional policies and practices for nature conservation and biodiversity by increasing the opportunities for financing these measures from the ERDF
Sustainable Use of Regional Funds

4. 1 Project, 14 Partners, 10 Countries

5. SURF challenges 2014-2020 programmes
Timing:
Project duration , decisions on future cohesion policy
Target groups:
DG Environment, DG REGIO, European Parliament, Regional representatives
Tools:
Analysis, Presentations, Newsletter, Events

6. Expanding the knowledge
Analyze the current use of the ERDF funds for nature conservation across the regions and gather examples of successful ERDF-funded projects to determine what lessons can be learnt from the various approaches and results

8.
Database with more than 40 Projects on Green Infrastructure, Sustainable -Tourism, Forest Biodiversity, Environmental Education and Natura 2000 Management

9. Conclusions – Lessons learned
Activities
A more “economic” driven lagnuage is needed to justify biodiversity investments
Knowledge
Environmental authorities often still focused on heavy environmental investments, nature not considered a part of development funds
Cooperation
Project partners improved their capacities to engage in the future discussion through the experience and good practice collected from other partners/regions
Partnership
Nature authorities need to engage more in the funds implementation, to secure that selection procedures and projects consider biodiverity needs
11. September 2019

10. Conclusions from SURF
Better governance and partnership needed to influence programmes
Biodiversity in all Operational Programmes is the only way to guarantee investments
Mainstreaming environment/biodiversity in all investments can support positive indirect effects
Check for the final SURF message and all publications

11. Thank you for your attention!
Let´s improve the use of Regional Funds together!
Peter Torkler, EU-Policy
Thank you for your attention!