Workshop with the 8 PAF related Proposals & the Habitats Committee LIFE Programme PAF Workshop Workshop with the 8 PAF related Proposals & the Habitats Committee Pascal Collotte European Commission, DG Environment, LIFE Nature Unit Working Group on Natura 2000 27/118/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 Workshop Goal The goal of the workshop was to further allow the 2011 LIFE+ proposals, on "Natura 2000 management and restoration programmes", to present their plans and to clarify the links between these projects and: i) the Prioritized Action Frameworks (PAFs) being developed by Member States in 2012, and ii) the preparation of LIFE Integrated Projects, which will be introduced from 2014 onward Minor/localised impact and lack of integration of all phases have been identified as main problems Mainstreaming practices, processes, etc. is necessary to gain efficiency, success and time All relevant stakeholders need to be involved right from the beginning to avoid blockages, difficulties to achieve goals and ensure sustainability Larger projects will have a greater potential for capacity building Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 Objectives Objective 1 Proposers & MS representatives invited: - to share strategic approaches for the management of the Natura 2000 networks, - to identify commonalities, best practices or different ways to address the planning process. Objective 2 - to explore the opportunities to establish networking, - to prepare for the drafting of IPs Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

IP What does it serves - achievements Aims at implementing plans, programmes or strategies Provides Larger scale: regional, multiregional, national, pan-european Multi-purpose and multi-themes nature , water, waste, air Must be inclusive: Full chain of stakeholders should be involved (regional or national administrations, NGOs, private sector, farmers, water companies, transport companies, etc.) Sustainability will be important as well as mobilisation of other EU funds (LIFE fund as seed money) An Integrated Project shall ensure geographical balance in line with the principles of responsibility sharing and solidarity, but no more National allocations Working Group on Natura 2000

Thematic concentration IPs concentration in 4 sectors: Nature, water, waste & air Natura 2000 PAFs River Basin Management Plan Waste Management Plan Urban air quality Monitoring Plan MP = Management Plan Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Discussion points The explicit links between EU funds and Natura 2000 give ‘hooks’ on which to develop integrated projects. The current (PAF) LIFE projects should be seen as introduction to and supporting the PAF, but also expected to prepare applications for LIFE Integrated Projects Integrated Projects will be a simpler and more flexible instrument. IPs evaluation will be in 2 steps (a ‘concept note’ of ~ 12 p); then we'll invite successful proposers to provide a full proposal as a second phase. IPs would have greater flexibility in rules e.g. switching between budget categories, reports at Project Milestones, Milestones could be used to adjust the programme, etc. EARDF = EU Agriculture Development Funds ERDF = EU regional Development Funds National EU Cohesion Funds, Maritime & Fisheries Funds National Government Funds Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 Discussion points (2) - The mobilisation of other EU funds or national funds is expected with LIFE funding seen as leveraging money to access them, but if this fails it will not be a ‘killer’ as the core LIFE co-financed element would have value in its own right. - The Commission trough PAF projects wants to strengthen networking between projects, highlight good practices and disseminated. - There was much support for holding a second coordination workshop, either late 2013 or early 2014, after 2011 projects' Inception Reports will have been submitted & evaluated Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 conclusions EC was supporting the projects as the test-bed for new approaches to introduce the next LIFE programme. Project beneficiaries were also expected to work closely with the national authorities responsible for the preparation of their PAF LIFE IPs will be one possible mechanism for delivering some of the priorities arising out of the PAF process; The links between the projects and the PAFs were stressed Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 Conclusions (2) The EC will establish some mechanisms strengthening networking between projects based on existing tools 2011 PAF related projects will be reviewed for progress in 2014 to identify good practice for IPs Matters to be followed on: i) input to and coordination with the national PAF process, ii) identification of priorities for IPs, iii) focus on green jobs, ecosystem services, green infrastructure etc., iv) innovation and good practice to be disseminated and v) networking. Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Working Group on Natura 2000 Thank you for your attention http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index.htm Questions Pascal Collotte Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012

Integrated Projects planning Will represent 30% of the overall LIFE budget Will be proposed in 2 steps: A concept paper encompassing the theme to be tackled, the expectd impact with management plan and milestones of achievements in regard of the budget needed A full blown proposal with detailed plan of actions throughout the life of the project & mechanisms of the multi-financing & criteria for achievement milestone per milestone

Integrated Projects’ Rules Integrated Projects (eligibility): IP shall Implement plans, programmes or strategies required by EU environmental or climate legislation or pursuant to other acts or strategies developed by MS authorities Have a Larger scale, e.g., regional, multiregional, national; pan-European Be primarily in the areas of nature, water, waste, air, climate mitigation and adaptation In addition (selection & award): IP shall Promote, when possible, the coordination with and mobilisation of other EU funds Working Group on Natura 2000 27/11/2012