Biodiversity as a Priority Area of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) The potential role of DANUBEPARKS as flagship project

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1 DANUBEPARKS 3rd Steering Committee Meeting Schloss Orth, September 2011 Biodiversity as a Priority Area of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) The potential role of DANUBEPARKS as flagship project Florian Ballnus Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health Germany Priority Area Coordinator

2 The story so far and beyond Very short Background of the EUSDR The Danube Region covers 8 EU countries (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania) and 6 non-eu countries (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova). The Region faces several challenges: environmental threats (water pollution, floods, climate change) untapped shipping potential and lack of road and rail transport connections insufficient energy connections uneven socio-economic development uncoordinated education, research and innovation systems shortcomings in safety and security Better coordination and cooperation between the countries and regions is needed to address these challenges. The EUSDR sets targets and actions in 11 Priority Areas to reach this aim. Cooperation and coordination is the clue!

3 The story of EUSDR and PA6 so far Past activities: getting things started February 2011: designation of Priority Area Coordinators by DG Regio, Com. Hahn. Clarification of roles and organization as basis for further activities (e.g. PAC, SG, LabGroup, NC, Interact, DGs, ), several meetings, seminars, conferences First contacts established to NGOs, stakeholders, networks as potential project holders (ICPDR; WWF Danube Carpathian, Danube Parks, BN Bayern). Some concrete projects are already in the(ir) pipeline. Deepening contacts with PAC 4 & 5, close cooperation foreseen by everybody. Drafts for project labelling procedure Steering Group Kick off and end of scoping in June 2011, time to get into concrete action!

4 The Danube Region The Danube Region: 14 Countries. 100 Mio. Inhabitants. Home for pelicans, wolves, lynx and bears, in some of their last remaining territories in the EU. Almost species live on the banks of the Danube. Wetlands, meadows and forests are featured in the landscape along the Danube. These vulnerable areas are rich in biodiversity. Biodiversity is a precious natural heritage and a source of wellbeing and prosperity. Strong need to restore and reconnect habitats and develop protected areas, e.g. Natura 2000 sites. Map reference:

5 The four Pillars of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region Pillar 1: Connecting the Danube Region PAC 1 Mobility Pillar 2: Protecting the Environment in the Danube Region PAC 4 Water Quality PAC 5 Environmental Risks PAC 6 Biodiversity Close cooperation concerning projects, actors, events, PR Cooperative approach concerning project labeling, finding appropriate funding programmes Meetings of PACs according to needs Pillar 3: Building Prosperity in the Danube Region PAC 7 Knowledge Society PAC 2 Energy PAC 8 Competiveness PAC 3 Culture and Tourism PAC 9 People and Skills Each Priority Area is coordinated by two PAC. Overall cooperation to ensure synergies, long-term commitment and ownership. Pillar 4: Strengthening the Danube Region PAC 10 Institutional Capacity PAC 11 Security

6 Organisation Chart of PA6 Pillar Environment PAC 4 Water Quality PAC 5 Environmental Risks PAC 6 Biodiversity Close cooperation concerning projects, actors, events, PR Cooperative approach concerning project labeling, finding appropriate funding programmes Meetings of PACs according to needs Interact Lab Group Funding Programmes DG ENV DG REGIO PAC Bavaria ICPDR PA6 Steering Group: Members from all participating countries PA6 operative implementation. Carpathian Conv. PAC Croatia Project Level Actor Actor Actor Actor

7 Overall Organisation Chart Policy Coordination Council European Commission Reference: Working Paper Governance structure Danube strategy provided by the Hungarian EU Presidency at the Joint meeting of the National Contact Points and Priority Area Coordinators of the EUSDR; Gödöllö, May 2011 High Level Group National Contact Points Implementation Funding Programme Funding Programme Funding Programme Funding Programme Interact Lab Group PAC 2 PAC + 14 members of Steering Group + EC Working Groups Thematic Seminars Project Project Project Annual Forum All relevant Stakeholders Project Project

8 Tasks of the PACs PRIORITY AREA 6 Preserving biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils TASKS OF THE PACs Agree on deadlines for actions and projects Set up of an informal operational working structure (Steering Group) Facilitate agreement on (revised) targets (realistic and feasible) Track on-going projects Ensure policy discussions and policy development Identify Project Leaders and assist them in order to facilitate the implementation of projects Seek for available funding opportunities and make full use of already existing sources of information Ensure communication and visibility of results, promote public awareness Identify new project ideas Monitor and report to the Commission on the progress

9 Targets of PA6 PRIORITY AREA 6 Preserving biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils Targets proposed by the Steering Group of PA6; To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement, adapted to the special needs of the Danube Region. By 2020, ecosystems and their services are maintained and enhanced by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems. By 2020, Invasive Alien Species and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS. Secure viable populations of Danube sturgeon species and other indigenous fish species by Targets to be endorsed by High Level Group in October 2011

10 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR for PA6 Preservation of biodiversity and landscapes: To contribute to the 2050 EU vision and 2020 EU target for biodiversity To manage Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas effectively To protect and restore most valuable ecosystems and endangered animal species To explore together the appropriateness of reviewing the Convention Concerning Fishing in the Waters of the Danube To develop green infrastructure in order to connect different bio-geographic regions and habitats To reduce the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) To decrease the input of pesticides into the environment of the Danube Region To remove safely obsolete pesticides and other obsolete chemicals in the area of Danube Region To prepare and implement transnational spatial planning and development policies for functional geographical areas (river basins, mountain ranges etc.)

11 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR for PA6 (cont.) Preservation and improvement of the quality of soils: To ensure appropriate treatment of solid waste To create standardised and compatible information on land cover on transnational basis To raise awareness about soil protection Improvement of air quality: To decrease air pollutants Education of people on the value of natural assets, ecosystems and the services they provide: To raise awareness of the general public, by acknowledging and promoting the potentials of natural assets as drivers of sustainable regional development To educate children and young people To build capacities of local authorities in the environment-related matters

12 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR for PA6 16 pre-defined actions in PA6 Task of PACs: to facilitate the implementation of actions by suitable projects and initiatives Targets and actions are main indicators of the success of the EUSDR! Once an action or project is included in the Action Plan, it should be implemented by the countries and stakeholders concerned.

13 Action Plan for PA6 ACTION PLAN of EUSDR Proposed actions for PA6 (extract) Preservation of biodiversity and landscapes: To manage Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas effectively Example of project To implement the Danube River Network of Protected Areas (DANUBEPARKS) This project, supported by the South East Europe transnational cooperation programme, aims at cooperation, coordination, consultation and strengthening of the links between and competences of the national administrations of protected areas of Danube countries. The links and synergies between DANUBEPARKS project and the Bavarian projects such as "Green Danube" should be established and exploited. (Lead: Auen Park, Austria. Deadline: 2012)

14 Service and Support by PAC Support and Service by PACs to Projects 1. Facilitation and support in project application process Project Label and issuing a Letter of Recommendation (to be presented to funding programme by applicants) Letter of Recommendation concerning co-funding support (individually upon needs) Support in project partner search (if necessary) 2. Facilitation and support during project implementation (including current Project) Information & Publicity, Enhancing visibility of project, using Danube Strategy channels (Webpage, Publications, Events, ). Danubeparks is contributing to the implementation of the EUSDR Facilitate and enhancing links to policy making levels, including National and European level Mutual participation at meetings, conferences (PA6, EUSDR, Project Meetings) Following the project progress, establishing further links, networking, development of follow-ups, close cooperation as ongoing process. 3. What are your expectations and ideas concerning PAC-support?

15 Outlook Current and next Steps Ongoing project tracking by Database and contributions from SG; Compiling list of relevant Actors in Danube Region; Defining Criteria and procedure for project labelling; Establishing Links to Funding Programmes; Coordination with PAC 4 & 5 and PAC 1; Support in Project development; Networking with relevant organisations, NGOs and existing networks; Public Events and Workshops

16 Contacts Thank you for your attention! Dr. Florian Ballnus Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health Rosenkavalierplatz München Germany Phone: +49 (0) florian.ballnus@stmug.bayern.de Kornelija Pintarić Director Nature Protection Directorate Ministry of Culture, Croatia Runjaninova 2, HR Zagreb Croatia Phone: +385 (1) kornelija.pintaric@min-kulture.hr