LIFE PAN (01/10/2014 – 30/09/2017)
Background
The geographical position of Calabria, at the extreme south of Italy, as well as its long coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, contribute to make it one of the richest regions in biodiversity in Italy and Europe. The Calabria region includes 69 habitats of European community interest, 18 of which are priority habitats, and 185 marine and terrestrial Natura 2000 sites, covering 19% of the region.
This wealth in biodiversity is, however, not always adequately managed and protected. This is particularly evident in regards to newly designated marine sites, whose conservation and fisheries management measures are in the process of being identified at European level.
Project description
The main goal of the PAN LIFE project is to prepare, on the basis of the approach of the Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs), concrete and operational measures for the Natura 2000 network. The strategy will include a financial plan that considers all sources of funding (European, national and regional) for the management of the Natura 2000 network and an updated list of priority actions to be carried out over the next decade.
The project aims also at integrating biodiversity conservation and management objectives into regional development and employment.
Citizen participation in the scientific monitoring of the regional Natura 2000 network will also be encouraged. This will be achieved through community-based monitoring, a system which aims at mobilising a large number of volunteers.
Specific project objectives are:
- To provide an effective contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the EU strategy for biodiversity.
- Ensuring an integrated and efficient management of the regional Natura 2000 network.
- Involvement of all relevant stakeholder sectors.
- Assessing the socio-economic value of the ecosystem services of the regional Natura 2000 network.
- Increase of “green jobs”.
- The creation of a Natura 2000 monitoring system that involves citizen’s participation.
- Contribution to the development of integrated pilot projects.
- An increase in public awareness on Natura 2000 benefits and on its importance for the conservation of biodiversity through a regional communication campaign directed at citizens and stakeholders.
This will be achieved through:
- Assessment of the socio-economic value of the ecosystem services of the Natura 2000 Network in Calabria.
- Identification of management measures for terrestrial and marine sites without a management plan and of measures necessary to connect Natura 2000 sites.
- Estimating the cost of conservation measures and the annual cost of the management of the regional network and establishment of a financial plan.
- Production of the Management Strategy of the regional Natura 2000 Network.
- Updating the PAF.
- Production of pilot priority projects (integrated projects).
- Creation of a monitoring system involving also citizens.
- Communication campaign on Natura 2000.
- Public consultation and stakeholder engagement.
- Initiatives for the promotion of green jobs related to Natura 2000.
Go to the project file in the European Commission database.
Partners
Regione Calabria – Settore Cooperazione e Internazionalizzazione
Regione Calabria – Dipartimento Politiche dell’Ambiente/Settore Aree naturali protette
Università della Calabria Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra
Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria – Dipartimento di Agraria
Comunità Ambiente
CHLORA sas
Green Factor
Centro Turistico Studentesco e giovanile (CTS)