EU FUNDING OF NATURA 2000

1. EU FUNDING OF NATURA 2000 Graham Bennett

2. PHARE PROJECT CZECH REPUBLICImplementation of Natura 2000 • March 2004–September 2005 • Main partners:– DDH (DK)– DHV (CR)– Palacký University Olomouc (CR) – Syzygy (NL) – IEEP (UK) – Ecosystems Ltd (B) • First phase: overview of implementation issues in EU member states • Main work at 15 demonstration sites: – guidelines for managing Natura 2000 sites and capacity-building – training: communication, management planning, monitoring, impact assessment etc. – awareness-raising of local communities and visitors

3. NATURA COSTS THAT CAN BE CO-FUNDED • Total costs EU-25 = €6 billion/year – e.g. Hessen €100/ha/year– some countries provide up to 100% funding, e.g. Spain: conservation measures in SCIs • Administrative costs of establishing Natura 2000– e.g. site selection process • Management of the Natura 2000 network– e.g. annual payments to farmers and land owners • Capital investment and infrastructure development– e.g. land purchase, site restoration measures and visitor facilities • Compensation payments– e.g. withdrawing existing development permission

4. EU FUNDING INSTRUMENTS FOR NATURA • European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) • The Structural Funds (and Cohesion Fund) • LIFE

5. EAGGF • Rural Development Regulation 1257/99 provides co-funding for:– environmentally friendly farming– farming under restrictions in Natura 2000 areas– forestry practices in rural areas, including improving their ecological status • Approximately €4.5 billion/year available for all rural development measures • Examples:– France: agri-env. payments max. €27,000/farm/year, rural development payments €357–233,000 (50%) – Germany: rural development €150–450/ha/year (50%)

6. STRUCTURAL FUNDS • Aim: provide co-funding for investment and capital expenditure to promote socio-economic cohesion • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): investments for Natura 2000 measures and schemes (as contribution to economic development), e.g. site plans • European Social Fund (ESF): training and employment schemes, e.g. for Natura 2000 site employees • LEADER+: “enhance natural and cultural heritage”, e.g. through survey work, management planning, management actions and promotion of Natura 2000 sites– Hessen: LEADER+ provided 34% of €2.9 million • INTERREG III: transboundary projects in Natura sites

7. LIFE • Current programme: LIFE III-Nature (up to 2006) • Wide range of actions supported, such as:– development of national inventories of habitats and species of Community interest– development of management plans or management guidelines for Natura 2000 sites– concrete actions for the management of the sites– awareness-raising activities • Site must be designated (about 10% of sites benefit) • Examples:– UK: habitat restoration 50% of €8 million – France: co-funding max. 75% priority species and habitats – Germany: Biosphere Reserve 75% of €2 million • Now too late for 2006 application

8. FUNDING PROPOSALS FOR 2007–2013 • Funding for Natura 2000 should be provided through major EU funds, not separate fund • Current proposal:– land management funding for Natura 2000 from European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), including specific payments for Natura sites – ERDF and ESF available to support Natura 2000, particularly in economically disfavoured areas (70% of funds to regions under 75% EU average income) – some funds for Natura 2000 through new LIFE+: “Implementation and Governance” and “Information and Communication”