Th BEST S hThe BEST Scheme

30 30 JuneJune 20112011

KarinKarin ZaunbergerZaunberger Biodiversity UnitBiodiversity UnitKarin Karin ZaunbergerZaunberger, Biodiversity Unit , Biodiversity Unit Katarina Katarina GrgasGrgas BrusBrus, ,

International relations and International relations and enlargementenlargement UnitUnitggDG ENV, European CommissionDG ENV, European Commission

ContentContent

Introduction to BEST Conservation of Biodiversity and

Ecosystem Services Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and

Ecosystem Services Milestones Call for proposals Summary & Reccommendationsy

Following up the Message from Reunion Island:

"Voluntary scheme forVoluntary scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories ofServices in Territories of European Overseas"

The BEST schemeThe BEST scheme

BEST objectiveBEST objective

to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversitysustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services in European overseas entities inspiredEuropean overseas entities inspired by the experience with EU nature conser ationconservation reconcile environment and development

Conservation of

Biodiversity and

Ecosystem Ecosystem Services

Photo: Ruedi Abbuehl, Falklands Conservation

Conservation through …g Protected Areas Designation Management

Reducing threats to biodiversity Invasive species Over exploitation Pollution Habitat fragmentation, degradation and loss

RestorationRestoration

Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services

Sustainable use through…g Green infrastructure network of natural/semi-natural areas featuresnetwork of natural/semi natural areas, features

and/or green spaces in rural and urban areas which enhance ecosystem health and resilience,

t ib t t bi di it ti dcontributes to biodiversity conservation and benefits human populations through the maintenance, enhancement and restoration ofmaintenance, enhancement and restoration of ecosystem services

Working with Natureg Ecosystem-based approaches to climate

change adaptation and mitigationg p g other …

Milestones: December 2010: Budget for

Preparatory Action providingPreparatory Action providing 2 million € to be committed for BEST adoptedBEST adopted

1 March 2011 Financing Decisionadopted by the Europeanadopted by the European Commissionhtt // / i t/f di / t ht http://ec.europa.eu/environment/funding/grants_en.htm

Call for proposals 5/5/11-9/9/11 Timetable: Timetable: Publication of the call for proposals :

5 May 20115 May 2011http://ec.europa.eu/environment/funding/grants_en.htm

Deadline for submission of proposals : Deadline for submission of proposals : 9 September 2011 Launch projects : November/December Launch projects : November/December

2011 Applicants must be registered in an EU Member Applicants must be registered in an EU Member

State or in an EU Overseas Country and Territory or be an International organisation.Territory or be an International organisation. Partners from Third Countries are also eligible.

Target beneficiaries are primarilyg p y public and private bodies in the EU Outermost

Regions and Overseas Countries andRegions and Overseas Countries and Territories,

site managers, research institutions, non governmental organisations, international organisations.

involved in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development actions including also actions for climate change adaptationalso actions for climate change adaptation and mitigation

Projects may include: Nature conservation measures including designation Nature conservation measures including designation

and management of nature conservation sites; Measures which facilitate the cohabitation of Measures which facilitate the cohabitation of

biodiversity conservation and human activities; Measures which contribute to the sustainable use of Measures which contribute to the sustainable use of

biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain and develop social and sustainable economic activities pwhich benefit local communities;

Development and use of ecosystem-based p yapproaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation and implementation of green infrastructure;

Networking, education and capacity building activities.

Objective of the call:Objective of the call:To identify and finance a number of projects to showcase the potential multiple benefits of

BEST building on existing networks, encouraging

new partnershipsnew partnerships prepare for the establishment of a

governance structure for a durablegovernance structure for a durable implementation of BEST beyond the lifetime of the preparatory actionof the preparatory action

Evaluation of proposals in 2 stepsp p p Step 1: overall quality of the project: technical financial coherence and methodology technical, financial coherence and methodology

Step 2: contribution to specific objective p p jareas:

Conservation Conservation Sustainable use Climate change adaptation and mitigation Building partnerships, education, communication Foundation of a governance structure for durable

implementation of BEST

E l ti i 2 t Evaluation in 2 steps Step 1: overall quality of the project

Technical coherence and understanding (max 40 pts) Financial coherence and availability (max 30 pts)

C t ib ti t l bj ti EU dd d l d th d l ( 30 Contribution to general objectives, EU added value and methodology (max 30 pts)

Threshold: 65 pts Only proposals which pass the threshold of Step 1 will go to Step 2.

Step 2: Contribution to specific objective areas conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services climate change adaptation and/or mitigation climate change adaptation and/or mitigation building partnerships, awareness raising, education, communication build the foundation for the durability of the BEST scheme

Max 10 pts per objective area

RANKING First priority : 5 top ranking proposals of each specific objective; “5 TOP 10” For the remaining budget a ranking list will be established according to the sum of

the scores reached in Step 1 and Step 2 and proposals will be recommended forthe scores reached in Step 1 and Step 2 and proposals will be recommended for support, until the whole budget is used.

Summary European overseas entities are an asset Biodiversity and climate change are intrinsically od e s ty a d c ate c a ge a e t s ca y

linked BEST is a possible low input high output scheme p p g p

with multiple benefits Idea is widely accepted

Preparatory Action is very timely and provides a p y y y punique opportunity to demonstrate the value of BEST through real examples and prepare the ground for the BEST scheme

ReccommendationsReccommendations

Call for proposals: Regional cooperation Administrative constraints High response needed Need for strategic thinking, solidarity and

collaboration

Thank you for your attention

Photo: Ruedi Abbuehl, Falklands Conservation