Event details

ECNC organises a regional workshop as a part of the project: “Dealing with conflicts in the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network - best practices at the local / site level”. The workshop is part of a series of three that address region-specific implementation and management issues of Natura 2000 sites. The first was held in Szentendre (Hungary) and the third will be organised in Brussels (Belgium).

Concise context of the workshops

The central aim of this project carried out on behalf of, and financed by the European Commission (DG Environment), is to promote best practices for implementation and management. Attention is focused on a balance between multiple uses and multiple interests in Natura 2000 sites and how that can work to ensure both the engagement of the regional population and respect for the values of the site. Specific objectives of this project are to:

• to assess causes and of conflicts surrounding Natura 2000 designation, management and use;

• to identify and review examples of best practice;

• to formulate practical recommendations for avoiding and/or resolving the conflicts.

The project is led by ALTERRA (Wageningen UR, The Netherlands) in partnership with Eurosite (Den Bosch, The Netherlands) and ECNC–European Centre for Nature Conservation (Tilburg, the Netherlands). 

Aim of the workshop

This workshop aims to bring regional stakeholders to discuss current practices in the region; to exchange experience and information, and to generate ideas, approaches and discuss lessons from successful implementation of Natura 2000. Key questions to be discussed include:

• What are the main causes of conflict?

• What are the critical success factors to resolve conflicts?

• What are the main learning points from the successful implementation? (dos and don’ts)

• What are the recommendations for future?

Outcome of the workshop

The workshop will result in a better understanding of approaches and best practices to avoid and manage conflicts in Natura 2000 sites in Central and Eastern Europe. The results of the facilitated sessions will be included in the project’s overall findings and presented in a report with recommendations.