1. Seminar Sharing Experience of Environmental Integration ‘Moving Forward’ Vienna, 18 May 2005 Environment and integrated programming in Sicily: the Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network“ IRP SEN Federico Nucita Task Force Expert for the Regional Environmental Authority of Sicilia, Italy federico.nucita@tfambiente.it

2. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" Integrated Programming The Integrated Programming (IP) aims at coordinating the implementation of two or more ROP’s interventions within a common development objective. The Programme Complement Sicily 2000 – 2006 provides for two levels of IP  Regional  Territorial

3. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" According to the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 (Habitat) the ROP 2000 – 2006 Sicilia Region provides for the creation of an ecological network of special protected areas, identifying also the tool to be used: the Integrated Regional Programme

4. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" How is integration put into practice? It affects several fields  Environment and local development  Public Administration  Partnership  Investments

5. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" Environment and local development The Programme’s mission is to create the Sicilian Ecological Network by connecting all regional protected areas (parks, natural reserves, “Natura 2000” sites) in order to ensure, at the same time:  the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora  a sustainable development of the SEN territories.

6. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" Public Administration All Regional Departments, managing the interventions included in the Programme, are directly involved in the Managing Authority’s activities. The MA is supported by the Task-Force for the Regional Environmental Authority’s (National Operational Programme Technical Assistance 2000 – 2006, Italy).

7. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" Partnership  Constant involvement of the Regional Partnership Committee and of the Partnership Committees created in each Local Ecological Systems (LES).  An agreement will be signed for each LES establishing the contribution of the Partners in the implementation of the Programme according to their role and competences.

8. The Integrated Regional Programme "Sicilian Ecological Network" Investments The major objective was to achieve the higher integration degree between actions funded by the IRP SEN and:  projects already implemented in the protected areas within the ROP  investments not related to the ROP (i.e. Leader plus, national funds).