1 Lessons learned – success factors for biodiversity projects Peter Tramberend Environment Agency Austria

Analysis of Project examples Aim to find good and new solutions in combining nature conservation with regional development processes Analysing tool - Success factors short-term benefit - identify good-practice elements as well as make visible bottlenecks and weaknesses very quickly long-term benefit - to produce successively learning effects by changing processes and improve framework conditions 60 project examples in a data base 2

Method A common questionnaire (analysis matrix) for all partners to analyse projects Focus on Project outline Funding categories Impact on biodiversity and nature conservation Innovative practises or methods 10 Success factors Further good practise elements 3

10 Success factors 1. Importance of the topics or problems tackled in the project 2. Vision & Image of the project 3. Win-win situations 4. Communication 5. Strong stakeholders 6. Good project start – early successes 7. Financial conditions 8. Connection to other projects or measures 9. Project coordination and exchange 10. Competence and resources 4

Success factors - Results 5

1) Importance of the topics/problems Importance of the problems tackled in the project and determination to find a solution Stakeholders at all levels (national, regional, local) regard the increasing loss of biodiversity as a central problem and consider the financing of the project by using ERDF funding to be a realistic approach towards solving the problem. Stakeholders are: Environmental protection and nature conservation actors Actors in regional development Politics General public 6

2) Vision & Image of the project Providing a vision and an image for future developments in nature conservation and protecting biodiversity Motivating stakeholder for promoting biodiversity and nature conservation 7

3) Win-win situations In addition to ecological benefits as a direct project result, other benefits occure e.g.: eco-tourism / recreation, regional marketing of products from the protected sites social inclusion of disadvantaged or young people, through additional income, higher subsidy rates, through an improved image of the region 8

4) Communication Quality of communication within the project and to external stakeholder Quality of methods and tools been used 9

5) Strong stakeholders Degree of involvement of stakeholders inside and outside the field of environmental protection and nature conservation, such as: Politics Leaders of interest groups (environment, land users, large protected areas, tourism, industry etc.) Administration 10

6) Good project start – early successes Presenting early project achievements for boosting the motivation to support and participate in the project, e.g. 11

7) Financial conditions Sufficient funding opportunities within the operational programmes for nature conservation issues Providing access to potential beneficiaries to the ERDF- funding sources (information, transparency, support for applicants …) 12

8) Connection to other projects or measures Project interaction with other projects or measures, e.g.: With Natura 2000 management With Water Framework Directive With Regional Development plans good chances for a follow up resp. continuation of funding in the long run (i.e. after the termination of the project). 13

9) Project coordination and exchange Measures are in place in order to facilitate efficient internal exchange as well as exchange with other stakeholders. E.g.: Partners or regions with similar problems or projects in the own country as well as in other countries Exchange with research institutions, relevant administration bodies, enterprises, or other relevant stakeholders 14

10) Competence and resources The project team has the competences and resources needed for the successful implementation of the project. This includes, e.g.: know-how and experience within the relevant nature conservation issues, strategic and communication skills (for example negotiating), enough staff and time, a solid financial background that assures the own contribution to the funding, 15

16 Sustainable Use of Regional funds - for Nature Thank you for your Attention!