Financing Natura 2000: Guidance and Workshops
In order to advise and support the Member states in utilising the opportunities available for co-financing of Natura 2000 during the period 2007-2013 the European Commission has commissioned the elaboration of a guidance handbook and the preparation of national workshops for all EU member countries to a consortium led by WWF. DAPHNE as a national partner of the consortium prepared the national version of the handbook and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment the workshop has been prepared. The workshop aimed at presenting the guidance handbook, discussing how EU funds may be used to finance the Natura 2000 network, identifying funding gaps and possible solutions. Around 100 representatives of key stakeholders including responsible ministries, environmental authorities, regional governments, associations of landowners, NGOs, universities and scientists took part on the workshop and discussed the Natura 2000 funding issues. Above all the participants highly valued the open atmosphere and participatory approach.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: February 2006 - September 2006
Funding: European Commission through WWF Germany
Partners: Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Department for Nature and Landscape Protection
WWF Score-card Analysis of the Regional Funds Programming for 2007-2013
Aim of the score-card analysis is to produce a solid report on the inclusion and/or reflection of environmental priorities and concerns in the national programming of Regional Funds for 2007-2013in EU member states. The analysis contains information from 11 EU countries. For the report the main programming documents for EU Regional Funds are being analysed, such as the National Strategic Reference Framework and key Operational Programmes. The evaluation consists of 3 main parts: first is evaluation of the programming process (procedures, transparency and participative approach, etc.), second part is the analysis of funding priorities within the NSRF and assessment of environmental integration and third part contains analysis of funding allocations across OPs and summary of funding available for environmental priorities. The report is planned to be used for the influencing of environmental integration in the Regional Funds programmes during the negations of national governments with the European Commission.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: June 2006 - January 2007
Funding: WWF European Policy Office (Belgium)
Partners: WWF Italy, WWF Greece, WWF Latvia, WWF Poland, WWF Germany, WWF - Danube Carpathian Programme, ELF (Estonia), LPN (Portugal), RSPB (UK).
Strengthening Consideration of Wetlands in the River Basin Management Planning
Aim of the project was to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands in river basin management (RBM) in Slovakia. The project was linked to the "International Wetlands Campaign" of the Danube Environmental Forum (DEF) which includes DAPHNE as a member. Project addressed the regional and local decision-makers and water managers. According to survey done during the project launch majority of 105 representatives of the target group was aware of any importance of wetlands, however only minority was aware of any socio-economic importance of wetlands (except nature protection).
Within the project, DAPHNE organised 10 seminars throughout all river basins of Slovakia. Through the seminars the water managers obtained information about the values and functions of wetlands and their particular presence in the certain river basins of Slovakia. Besides that participants gained also basic information about the current schedule and development of the Water Framework Directive implementation with regard to River Basin Management Plans elaboration which will start in 2007. Examples of successful projects which included wetlands into the RBM were also presented.
The seminars enabled discussions between important stakeholder groups in the river basins about local 'wetland issues' and succeeded to identify some barriers in better inclusion of wetlands into RBM. This includes conflicts within law, lack of communication and coordination between relevant actors, complicated land ownership and insufficient funding.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: June 2006 - January 2007
Funding: UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project
Partners: Slovak Water Management Enterprise, Slovak Hydro-Meteorological Institute, Danube Environmental Forum, State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic.
Operational program 2006 for Carpathian EcoRegion Initiative (CERI)
Within the frame of the program, Daphne performed the activities of the CERI National Focal Point for Slovakia which contributed to strengthening of CERI network (organisation of Board Meetings, General Assembly and other international meetings, contribution to the CERI Communication Strategy, fundrasing, expert work in the CERI Work Groups, coordination of the national CERI network, to coordination of national policy activities and to dissemination of information on CERI activities through CERI publications (Newsletter, leaflet, web page).
Coordinators: Monika Chrenkova, Jan Seffer
Period: January 2006 - December 2006
Funding: European Commission - CORE programme
Partners: CERI members
Webpage: www.carpates.org
Influencing
EU Accession Project
Despite
a successful accession of Slovakia to EU, this project continuing until
June 2006. Thanks to it a lot of successes for nature protection is
achieved.
Policy activities focused on continuation of co-operation with all important
institutions in nature protection (non-governmental and governmental).
Within the project we were working mainly on preparation of Natura 2000
network in Slovakia and overlapping of nature protection with agriculture.
With the financial support of the project in 2004 in relation with the
entrance of the Slovak Republic to EU project helped to finalised the
national list of proposed Sites of Community Importance for Natura 2000
network and as well prepare the report on its implementation in Slovakia.
In relation with the agricultural activities for the biggest success
we can consider the participation of DAPHNE in preparation of certificates
on natural and semi-natural grasslands for farmers, while thanks to
these certificates farmers can obtain interesting financial support
for management of grasslands from the programme SAPARD and from the
Rural Development Plan.
Important part of the project were also continuing activities connected
with the improvement of co-operation with the non-governmental organisations
in Slovakia and in foreign countries, as well as co-operation with the
European Commission in Brussels.
Co-ordinator: Helena Carska, Eva Viestova
Period: July 1999 - June 2006
Funding: WWF Austria through WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme
Partners: WWF European Policy Office (Belgium), WWF Austria,
WWF Hungary, WWF Poland, NGOs Arnika and Veronica (Czech Republic)
Danube-Elbe-Oder Canal: Grassroot-national-European Campaign to Prevent the Biggest Wetland Loss Threat in Central Europe
In this project DAPHNE provided assistance to project lead by Hnutí Duha (CZ) in developing and implementing awareness raising activities concerning the Danube-Oder-Elbe Canal in Slovakia and especially in Morava Floodplains. The brochure and leaflet on the DOEC project were prepared to raise public awareness about the project in Slovakia. The brochure summarises most important information on the status of the DOEC project in Slovakia as of January 2005. The leaflet shows conflicting areas of the DOEC and Natura 2000 in Slovakia. It contains information about each Natura 2000 site which lays in the planned route of the canal. The information included in the brochures has been placed also on the website of Hnuti Duha. Furthermore a movie on the nature areas to be affected by the DOEC has been produced in the project framework.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: January 2005 - July 2006
Funding: DRP's NGO Support Programme of the UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project
Partners: Friends of the Earth-CEPA (Slovakia), Hnuti Duha (Czech Republic)
Central Danubian Park - Floodplains of Morava-Dyje-Danube Confluence
The project supporting co-operation of environmental partners in Floodplains of Morava-Dyje-Danube Confluence trilateral Ramsar site continued until June 2006. As nomination of the Trilateral Ramsar Site - Floodplains of Morava-Dyje-Danube Confluence has been accepted by the Ramsar Bureau, the focus of NGOs moves towards promoting the coordination of site management between the countries. With this regard new project ideas and proposals were prepared to serve as a positive examples of funds used for nature conservation, including one focused on restoration of semi-natural grasslands on remaining fields and intensive grasslands in Morava Floodplain with involvement of local farmers.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: July 1995 - June 2006
Funding: WWF Austria through the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme
Partners: Veronica (Czech Republic), Distelverein (Austria), WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme (Austria), WWF Austria, Palava Protected Landscape Area Administration (Czech Republic)
Common Agricultural Policy After the Accession - Programming Rural Development in the New Member States
This project had several aims and steps, but the overall project goal was to help ensure that the new member states use Rural Development subsidies in a way that most benefits and least harms the environment and people in rural areas. Within the steps belonged identification of the most serious problems and deficiencies in the current allocation of Rural Development funds for 2004-2006, monitoring the programming of the new Rural Development Plans preparation and as an NGO coalition we prepared common position paper with highlighting the problems of the existing national rural development programmes with selected key recommendations for improvements in the new Rural Development Plans for years 2007-2013.
Co-ordinator: Eva Viestova, Dobromil Galvanek
Period: January - December 2005
Funding: European Commission - DG Agriculture
Partners: Friends of the Earth - CEPA, Agroekofórum - NGOs platform,
Rural Parliament
Analyses
The
Partnership in Nature Protection within EU Integration
The project was based on the co-operation of DAPHNE and the Environmental Association Sunce from Split, Croatia. Our goal was to enable Sunce to develop its own strategy regarding the nature protection legislation, effective nature management practices, media and public relations, fundraising for NGO activities, etc. in the framework of accession to the EU. We tried to achieve these goals through a series of training sessions, discussions and bilateral meetings. In the years prior to Slovakia's accession into the EU, DAPHNE was highly involved in the EU integration in environmental sector. This enabled us to provide Sunce with valuable and diversified range of information in this field. Several non-governmental, but also governmental experts were involved in the project activities, which provided different viewpoints on the EU integration process in the nature conservation in Slovakia to Croatian partners.
Co-ordinator: Eva Viestova, Milan Janak
Period: November 2004 - June 2005
Funding: European Commission
Partners: DAPHNE & Sunce = twinning partners
Web: www.daphne.sk/sunce
Central
Danubian Park - Floodplains of Morava-Dyje-Danube Confluence
Co-operation
of partners on the conservation of Floodplains of Morava-Dyje-Danube
Confluence is the main goal of one of the longest projects of DAPHNE.
Year 2004-2005 which is probably the final year of the project implementation
brought new outcomes in most of the long-term project activities. The
Trilateral Ramsar Platform, which consist of the representatives of
countries' environmental ministries, site managers and NGOs from Czech
Republic, Austria and Slovakia approved new name of the trilateral Ramsar
Site (see in the project name), submitted officially the designation
letters to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, agreed on the ceremonial
establishment of the site and officially approved the common goals and
principles for the site management. Stimulated by active involvement
of NGOs the discussion on the development of common trilateral management
plan/strategy which would further develop the agreed goals and principles
of site management agreed by the platform, finding funding sources for
its development and implementation has begun. At the same time the elaboration
of the national Morava Floodplain management plan continues in Slovakia.
Except the above mentioned activities DAPHNE focused also on the economic
development of the area, which may have negative effects on the site
nature. This includes particularly the plans for establishment of navigation
on the Morava River or building the Danube-Odra-Elbe Canal, for which
partial project are in preparatory phase in the Czech Republic. Monitoring
of the decision-making process, providing comments and statements on
the environmental impact of construction, lobbying on both national
and international level focused on saving the high natural values of
the Morava and Dyje Floodplains were executed in all three countries
as well. Activities of NGOs focused also on enhancing communication
between stakeholders and increasing public awareness on environmental
issues.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak, Miroslava Cierna (till 2003)
Period: July 1996 - June 2005
Funding: WWF Austria through the Danube-Carpathian Programme
of WWF
Partners: Veronica (Czech republic), Distelverein (Austria),
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme (Austria), WWF Austria, Pálava Protected
Landscape Area Administration (Czech Republic)
Conservation
and Wise Use of Morava Floodplains Ramsar Site
As
the title states the main goal of the project was the strengthening
the conservation and wise use of Morava Floodplain Ramsar Site through
the development of site management plan and discussing the proposed
site management with site users, providing them with alternatives for
the site use and increasing public awareness on the values and functions
of this wetland of international importance.
Project has built on the active co-operation with stakeholders - site users from the Slovak part of Morava Floodplain and key stakeholders from Austrian part of the floodplain, which was inevitable for achievement of the project objectives. Activities comprised of the working meetings and discussions, workshops, gathering information on the possibilities for participative site management and their distribution among the local stakeholders, providing tips for the local development, which would help municipalities in the region and respect natural conditions and values of the area. In co-operation with Morava River Catchment Administration and municipalities from the Slovak Morava Floodplain area the Morava Floodplain Nature Trail was reconstructed and extended to the total length of 79 km which makes it now the longest nature trail in Slovakia.
During
your trips to the site a re-launched "Orbis Pictus"- trilingual
colour brochure with map and site peculiarities described - will guide
you through the Morava Floodplain.
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak
Period: November 2003 - October 2004
Funding: Phare CBC SFMP Slovakia-Austria 2001
Partners: State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic - Administration
of Záhorie Protected Landscape Area, Distelverein (Austria)
Saving
the Unique Species Rich Grasslands in the Slovenský Raj National Park
in Slovakia
The
project focused on the prevention of irreversible biodiversity loss
in grasslands of the outstandingly ecologically important Kopanec area,
located in the Slovenský raj National Park. On this site in 2002-2003
DAPHNE achieved to purchase ownership rights to 14.82 ha of land from
22 landowners after long negotiations and demanding administrative procedures.
Removal of trees encroachment and mowing of approximately 20 ha of grasslands
was implemented here as well t save the most valuable parts of natural
species-rich grasslands. Long-term management of the site would DAPHNE
like to secure through own funds using compensatory land utilisation
scheme.
After 2 years of project implementation it was decided to re-focus and
allocate remaining project funds for land purchase on similarly important
and threatened habitats - localities of calcareous fens. Land purchase
in 2003-2004 therefor focused on National Nature Reserve Klastorske
luky and National Nature Reserve Abrod and their vicinity, where remnants
of Carpathian calcareous fens with number of threatened plant species
are occurring. Currently DAPHNE has ownership rights to 2.89 ha of land
in Abrod and 2.37 ha of land in Klastorske luky. Ownership of land in
these two sites should help DAPHNE to enforce restoration of sites'
water regime, which will be implemented through the UNDP/GEF project
"Conservation, Restoration and Wise Use of Calcareous Fens in the
Slovak Republic".
Co-ordinator: Milan Janak, Miroslava Cierna (till 2003)
Period: November 2000 - December 2004
Funding: EECONET Action Fund
Partners: State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic - Administration
of Slovenský raj National Park, Centre for Environmental Public Advocacy
in Ponická Huta
Background
Study on the Link Between Agriculture and the Environment
This
project was a part of a European project co-ordinated by the Institute
of European Environmental Policy (IEEP London); its priority aim was
the evaluation of interactions between Agriculture and Environment in
Candidate Countries. DAPHNE co-ordinated the activities, including the
collection of national data on agriculture and environment in Slovakia,
Romania and Slovenia - namely the status of soils, waters, air, landscape
and biodiversity - and the gathering of information on agricultural
policy and its effects, and the relations between agriculture and environment.
Furthermore, the most important agriculture-related environmental problems
were identified and a brief analysis of their status and interactions
was carried out. Based on these analyses DAPHNE, together with IEEP
experts, compiled and evaluated a set of agri-environmental indicators,
with special attention given to their relevance in the accession countries.
Co-ordinator: Miroslava Cierna
Period: February - June 2002
Funding: European Environmental Agency
Partners: Institute of European Environmental Policy (IEEP London)
Approximation
Strategy in the Environment - Nature Sector
The aim of the project
was to develop an overall integrated approximation strategy, covering
the entire EU environmental acquis. The role of DAPHNE was to develop
the strategy for the nature protection sector. The strategy discussed
the present situation of accession, principal obligations, existing
gaps, and the institutional framework and developed a detailed mplementation
plan for particular EU requirements, delegating responsibilities and
setting up a time frame. A key part of the strategy was an implementation
plan for the Birds and Habitats Directives. Cost estimates and the financial
plan were developed by an economic expert.
Co-ordinator: Helena Carska
Period: July 2000 - February 2001
Funding: Danish Cooperation for Environment in Eastern Europe
(DANCEE)
Partners: Ministry of the Environment of Slovak Republic, State
Nature Conservancy of Slovak Republic
References:
Daltoft, T., Seffer, J. & Carska, H., 2000: EU
Approximation Strategy - Nature Protection.
Evaluating,
Analysing and Influencing the SAPARD Rural Development Planning Process
in ERBC Carpathian Territory
At the present time
environmentalists in accession countries are faced with important policy
and legislation changes which will influence environmental, social and
economic conditions in their countries. Since agriculture and rural
development have a significant impact on nature protection, DAPHNE has
been very active in the planning process of the SAPARD programme which
provides financial support for this sector. DAPHNE experts provided
analyses, evaluation and concrete recommendations for safeguarding biodiversity,
strengthening public participation, NGO involvement and transparency.
Final project outputs were used in influencing the policy debate concerning
the use of European funds and planning for investment in the regions.
Co-ordinator: Miroslava Cierna
Period: March 2000 - February 2001
Funding: WWF Danube Carpathian Programme
Partners: Slovak Society for Bird Protection, WWF - Hungary
References:
Avis, Ch., Beckmann, A., Biderman, A., Čierna, M.,
Elod, R. & Potozky, L., 2000: Results of an Independent NGO Evaluation
of SAPARD: National Plans and Processes in Czech republic, Hungary,
Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Enhancement
of Co-operation and Communication of NGOs in the Process of EU Integration
This initiative co-ordinated by the consortium of non-governmental organisations
DAPHNE, ETP Slovakia and REC Slovakia significantly enhanced the NGO
rolein the accession process and provided an alternative view of the
possible social and environmental impact of Slovakia's integration into
the EU. The document "Position paper of Slovak environmental NGOs"
reflects views and observations of organisations that commented on changes
in environmental policy related to EU integration in various topics
- biodiversity, agriculture, water, waste, 6th Environmental Action
Plan, institutional development and public participation in the process.
Through a web site and newsletter the project increased public awareness
and information exchange about the overall integration process and enhanced
discussion on the effective use of European funds and existing policy
tools.
Co-ordinator: Miroslava Cierna
Period: January - December 2000
Funding: Civil Society Development Foundation (NPOA) - EU Phare
Program
Partners: Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern
Europe - REC Slovakia, ETP Slovakia
References:
Bedi, E., Carska, H., Cierna, M., Filcak, R., Havlicek,
R., Hegeyi, L., Hrivnak, L., Medal, R., Rohac, J. & Vagacova, M.,
2000: Position Document of Slovak Non-governmental Organisations on
the Process of EU Integration in the Field of Environment. DAPHNE, ETP
Slovakia, REC Slovakia. Bratislava.
Public
Participation Project
DEF and WWF have collaborated in the public participation project for
Baia Mare Task Force (BMTF) established by the EU Commission after the
cyanide spill accident in spring 2000 in Romania. The DEF Secretariat
has co-ordinated activities of selected DEF national focal points in
Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. They have managed information
dissemination on the BMTF work and the sending of findings to all appropriate
stakeholders in their countries and also collected and transferred information
from relevant stakeholders to the BMTF. They have held national meetings
to promote direct exchange of information between BMTF and local stakeholders
and to raise the question of other potentially dangerous hot-spots of
a similar nature in the region.
Co-ordinator: Helena Carska
Period: August 2000 - April 2001
Funding: DANCEE
Partners: WWF Danube Carpathian Programme (Austria)
Danube
Environmental Forum
Danube
Environmental Forum (DEF) is a Danube River basin-wide platform of non-governmental,
non-profit, politically independent organisations. DEF fulfills its
mission through encouraging co-operation among non-governmental organisations
in the Danube region, supporting the exchange of information and promoting
public participation in environmental decision-making.
More about DEF