Building Capacity in Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation in CEEC

2000 - 2003

Through the UK Darwin Initiative, a consortium of leading UK conservation organisations including the National Trust, RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage, English Nature and the Wildlife Trusts under the umbrella of Eurosite conducted a programme to help key individuals from Central and Eastern European countries and the Baltic States to improve understanding and practical skills in the management of wetland habitats.

The aim of the programme was to transfer skills between resource rich and biodiversity poor regions such as the UK to resource poor and biodiversity rich countries such as those in the Central and Eastern European region. The project's focus was to develop management planning for species and habitats. Special emphasis was placed on facilitating stakeholder involvement in the management planning process.

Programme objectives were achieved through interactive workshops held in the UK and with visits to host countries. The project worked with key individuals from authorities and organisations tasked with managing protected areas in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia.

Project financed by the United Kingdom Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Official website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Official website of the Darwin Initiative:

http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/