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SURF‐Nature: How can the project support local stakeholders? Insight and Preliminary Results

Peter Tramberend Environment Agency Austria

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Content

SURF Project Analysis of operational programmes Thematic booklets Upcoming acitivites Conclusion

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2004: EU communication on the Financing of Natura 2000

support in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity became more pronounced

For the first time the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007-2013 contains options for financing natural heritage, biodiversity and nature conservation, (including Natura 2000)

“Stop the loss of biodiversity” 2010 - Target

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History of SURF-Nature 1/2

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History of SURF-Nature 2/2

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007 -2013 about 3 billions to support the protection of biodiversity and nature

conservation measures can be accessed by a wide range of stakeholders activities need to be linked with the broader development of the

area a large number and variety of opportunities for financing nature

conservation great potential to learn from each others approaches

Project idea for SURF-Nature developed in 2008

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Key facts

14 partners from 10 countries in Europe Austria, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania,

Slovenia, Spain, UK Authorities and public bodies responsible for implementation,

experienced in applying for ERDF

Lead partner: Environment Agency Austria Projekt coordination: WWF-Germany Project Programme: Interreg VIc Duration: Jan 2010 – Dec 2012

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General objectives

Improve regional policies and practices for nature conservation and biodiversity

by increasing the opportunities for and the impacts of financing nature conservation measures from ERDF funds

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Further objectives

Identify and analyse different approaches in different regions

Establish a network of experts Raise awareness and knowledge among

stakeholders Improve the quality of future nature conservation

projects Positively influence the strategic planning and

funding allocation for 2014+ www.surf-nature.eu

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Target groups

national, regional and local authorities from environmental protection, nature conservation and biodiversity

national, regional and local authorities for regional development

managing authorities e.g. protected areas

special interest groups e.g. tourism

project applicants8

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Analysis of Operational ProgrammesResults

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Cohesion policy

ERDF European Regional Development Fund

ESF European Social Fund CF Cohesion Fund

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Objective

Convergence

Territorial Cooperation

Regional Competitiveness

ERDF

ERDF

ERDF

Fund

ESF

ESF CF

Convergence – growth and employment in less developed MS and regions

Region. Competitiveness – employment, attractiveness Terr. Cooperation – all regions

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Cohesion policy

OP define the priorities of member state/regions and the way of the implementation

Current period 335 OPs for ERDF are adopted by EU Commmission 11

Level

EU

Member StateNational strategic reference

framework

Community strategic guidelines on cohesion

Policy stage

Member State/RegionsOperational programmes

(OP)

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Analysis of Operational Programms

46 Operational Programmes referring the partner regions analysed

In principle all OPs are structured equally (priorities, objectives, financial overview, etc.)

Analysis based on a common evaluation matrix Quality ranking in terms of programme design and

implementation, score 100 points for quality as well as for implementation

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Analysis of Operational Programms

Programme quality Objectives of the priority

axis Activities of priorities Direct allocation for Nature

conservation (code 51) Restrictions on funding

applicants

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Programme implementation Selection and evaluation

comittee Training activities Guidelines, Web-support Time of received payment Number of approved

projects Total fund allocated up to

31st March 2010 (start of the analysis)

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OP Analysis - Quality

Results 86% of the OPs include biodiversity in the objectives 54% of the activities in the OPs are formulated broadly 33% of the activities in the OPs are clearly defined 63% of the OPs have dedicated budget to code 51 Average score 56/100 points

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OP Analysis - Implementation

Results 47% of OPs nature conservation experts are represented in the

selection committee None of OPs offers specific training to applicants 61% provide very good web support Time period for project approval > 6 months in 35% of the

projects 67% of the OPs don´t provide pre-financing assistance to

applicants Average score 52/100 points

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OP Analysis – recommendations 1/2

it should be a principal that biodiversity is included in one of the objectives

nature conservation experts should be sufficiently represented in Evaluation and Selection Committees

nature conservation should be a separate activity

keep the activities for nature conservation more open so that the individual needs in the regions and initial situations can be well reflected in the project proposal

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OP Analysis – recommendations 2/2

financial support for pre-financing assistance should be provided

professional support in the application phase should be eligible

information should be provided to applicants in a clear and efficient way

common, user-friendly web-site which provides all relevant data

all this should be followed by a simple and straightforward decision process with short time periods between project development, submission, approval and procurement

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Thematic booklets

Environmental education Forest biodiversity Green infrastructure Natura 2000 management Sustainable tourism

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Sustainable Tourism and Nature Conservation

An investment in our future

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Sustainable tourism booklet – content 1/2

Introduction into the topic priorities and objectives of sustainable tourism approaches of the European Union for sustainability in tourism

policy tourism and nature conservation

Financing opportunities European funds for sustainable tourism and nature conservation current opportunities of the ERDF for financing sustainable tourism funds for sustainable tourism and nature conservation in Austria,

Greece and Wales

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Sustainable tourism booklet – content 2/2

Good practices Austria - Bog Alliance in the Alps Greece - Network of Aegean Islands for Sustainability DAFNI Wales - Wild Fishing

Recommendation for a successful project application quality of a project connections between a ‘successful sustainable tourism project’

and a ‘successful application for a sustainable tourism project’ stakeholder in tourism development

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Upcoming activities

1 Guideline - summarizing and analysing good practice 1 Handbook - on the new generation of funding 1 interregional workshops 13 regional training sessions – to disseminate the gained

knowledge to regional and local stakeholders

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Support local stakeholders by providing information about

Analysis of 46 OPs – overview about different approaches Wide range of projects with their variety of objectives and

approaches Exchange ideas with colleagues of other regions Ideas for new projects

training sessions five thematic booklets

Recommendations for improving the funding possibilities for the next period

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Klara Brandl

phone: +43-1-31304-3310

email: klara.brandl@umweltbundesamt.at

Peter Tramberend

phone: +43-1-31304-5935

email: peter.tramberend@umweltbundesamt.at

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Environment Agency Austria - Umweltbundesamtwww.umweltbundesamt.at

Contact and Information

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Sustainable Use of Regional funds - for Nature

Thank you for your Attention!