highlights of activities in 2014

Contents Message from ECNC’s President and Executive Director ...................................................................................... 1

ECNC – working for a beautiful Europe ................................................................................................................. 2

Nature and society ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Green infrastructure and Natura 2000 .................................................................................................................. 4

Assessment and integrated management of biodiversity ..................................................................................... 5

Business and biodiversity ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Highlights of activities carried out with LIFE+ funding .......................................................................................... 7

This annual report can be downloaded from www.ecnc.org/publications/annualreport, where you will also find more information on ECNC’s projects in 2014.

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Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014 1

Message from ECNC’s President and Executive Director Europe’s varied biodiversity and landscapes are under pressure. However, nature conservation and sustain-able land- and sea-use efforts can counter biodiversity and landscape losses. For instance, the numbers of several large carnivores in Europe are increasing. They are found in natural and semi-natural areas such as those protected by the Natura 2000 network of sites. In 2014, ECNC continued to provide support to this vital ecological network, leading two contracts supporting the implementation of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process for the European Commission. The third European Network for Regions and Biodiversity conference ‘Natura 2000 in action!’ focused on how Europe’s regions can contribute to and benefit from Natura 2000. ECNC’s work has obvious benefits for nature, but there are also important benefits for human health and well-being, economic development, job creation, climate, water management, and much more. We help businesses to integrate biodiversity into their business practices. The Healthy Seas initiative, com-bining biodiversity conservation with recycling and the production of high-quality raw materials and sustain-able products, is a showcase at European level for circular economy and sustainability. The QualityDestination programme gathered pace in 2014 and has increased the engagement of a number of European destinations, such as municipalities and national parks, in delivering sustainability and nature-based tourism. Other highlights from 2014 include: continued involvement in the ALTER-Net (Europe’s ecosystem network); the first annual meeting of the OpenNESS project; and facilitation of the first of three stakeholder dialogues in the European Nature Outlook process. We are proud of these and other successes, which have been achieved in spite of increased competition for project tenders and the scarcity of funding – signs of the difficult economic climate. ECNC received the EU NGO grant in 2014 for the third time. This allowed ECNC to increase its support for implementation of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy and wider sustainability policies. ECNC was also able to further mobilize its potential as coordinator of large European networks of stakeholders. Further steps were taken towards strategic cooperation with other organizations. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Eurosite. The ECNC Network expanded to 57 members with the addition of the Faculty of Forestry, Bartin University, Turkey; the Environment Foundation of Turkey; the British Natural History Consortium; CEEweb for Biodiversity; and the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network. In December 2014, the first Sir Brian Unwin Incentive Award was awarded to Baráthegyi Guide Dog School, Hungary. The award, created in honour of ECNC’s Honorary President, supports individuals or small-scale local initiatives that inspire and create hope. We value the commitment and hard work of the staff of ECNC and the ECNC Land & Sea Group, and their respective Board members. We sincerely thank our supporters, funders and partners, and everyone who believes in a better planet for people and nature. Prof. Dr Mustafa Kemal Yalınkılıç Rob Wolters President ECNC and Executive Director ECNC and Vice-President ECNC Land & Sea Group Chief Executive ECNC Land & Sea Group

2 Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014

ECNC – working for a beautiful Europe

MISSION ECNC is dedicated to a beautiful Europe based on a rich biodiversity, healthy ecosystems and sustainable development. ECNC promotes integrated approaches for both land and sea and actively stimulates the interaction between science, society and policy. ECNC is an independent European expertise centre for biodiversity and sustainable development. Since its establishment in 1993, ECNC has worked in over 60 European and Central Asian countries, and sup-ported various global pro-biodiversity processes. ECNC continues to be at the forefront of develop-ments in nature conservation, delivering innovative projects, characterized by tailor-made approaches. Since 2009, ECNC has been part of the ECNC Land & Sea Group, one of Europe’s largest groupings of expertise and experience for nature, biodiversity, and coastal and marine issues. An essential feature underpinning all ECNC’s activities is the involvement of and cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders. One of ECNC’s main strengths is the ability to combine international and European levels of experience and expertise, covering all areas of biodiversity policy and practices, together with stakeholder interests at regional, national and local levels. ECNC provides a bridge between policy, science and society on the one hand, and ecology and economy on the other, thus contributing to greener and greater resource-efficient, nature-focused, stakeholder-centred economies. ECNC continues to be involved in the drafting of major European biodiversity policy strategies and is a lead-ing player in key European biodiversity conferences,

assisting governments and NGOs in preparing for effective discussions and informed decision-making. ECNC works extensively with, among others, the European Union and its Commission, all 28 Member States, the European Environment Agency, the EU Committee of the Regions, the Council of Europe and the European office of the United Nations Environ-ment Programme. Services provided include: knowledge-based facilitation; capacity-building and training programmes; project development, coordination and implementation; biodiversity for business and rural and urban development; support and policy analysis and expert advice. In addition, as a leading member of several European networks, such as the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, the ALTER-Net (A Long-Term Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Awareness Research Network), the EU Coordination Group for Biodiver-sity and Nature, the Commission’s Expert Group on Management of Natura 2000 and the European Habitats Forum, ECNC possesses and shares unique experience across a range of current issues, emer-ging policies and the latest research. Visit the ECNC website for a complete list of projects carried out in 2014.

ECNC works for a beautiful Europe.

Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014 3

Nature and society

AIMS To increase understanding of the social and cultural context of conservation, through effective communication, capacity-building and facilitation activities, including tailor-made training services. To improve the practical skills of stakeholders, at all levels of society, for nature.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2014ECNC contributed to the implementation of major nature and biodiversity policies through effective communication, organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultation processes. This was com-bined with expert training to build practical skills for nature management and protection at all levels of government, as well as within NGOs and civil society organizations. Through the Bojanatour project, the ECNC Land & Sea Group promotes sustainable development with a focus on nature and tourism in the Bojana Delta. Awareness-raising and capacity-building activities in 2014 included the first in a series of ICZM workshops for local authorities, civil society and private sector representatives, and a training workshop on nature-based sustainable tourism. QualityDestination is another ECNC Land & Sea Group initiative promoting sustainable nature-based tourism. In 2014, destinations began the self-assessments, the first step towards the QualityDestination Award. Social media are deployed to reach a wide audience across Europe and to actively involve the destinations in the programme. In addition to the website, Twitter and Facebook accounts, the communication tools included a promotional video introducing the programme.

ECNC Network partner University of Bartin and ECNC organized a seminar on rural development and nature-based sustainable tourism for participating destinations in Kure National Park, Turkey. The 200 participants explored ideas and opportunities for balancing tourism development with conservation objectives. In October, the QualityDestination team visited two new partner destinations in Giresun, Turkey. A seminar was held there for ecotourism operators, tourism businesses, regional government representatives, hotel owners, and educators. QualityDestination was represented at several events, including IPBES stakeholder meetings, the third European Network for Regions and Biodiversity conference ‘Natura 2000 in action!’, and the Bristol Green Capital launch. In December, ECNC facilitated the first of three stake-holder dialogue sessions in support of the European Nature Outlook. PBL (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) is developing the Nature Outlook, seeking new ways to protect and develop nature in Europe. A variety of stakeholders were involved in order to ensure representation of the many ideas and perspectives on nature. The results of the dialogue were used to develop scenarios on the future of European nature for discussion during the remaining dialogue sessions (in 2015) and in online consultations.

KEY MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES Meeting of the Dinaric Arc Initiative; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 11 March 2014

First Bojanatour ICZM workshop; Ulcinj, Montenegro, 26 March 2014

Training workshop ‘Nature-based sustainable tourism’; Ulcinj, Montenegro, 14 May 2014

Seminars on nature-based tourism; Bartin, Turkey, 29 September 2014; Giresun, Turkey, 20 & 21 October 2014; and Ordu Province, Turkey, 21 October 2014

Nature Outlook ‘Dialogue 1 – Generating perspectives’; Brussels, Belgium, 2 & 3 December 2014

4 Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014

Green infrastructure and Natura 2000

AIMS To support and prioritize the identification, protection and restoration of green infrastructure across Europe.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2014 ECNC has extensive experience in designing and promoting the importance of ecological networks together with approaches that ensure dialogue with key stakeholders. Activities in 2014 included organ-izing a final project workshop to discuss improved dissemination of environmental information related to the nature directives, and preparing a fact sheet on the Balkan Regional Ecological Network. The European Commission’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy was promoted through, among others, activities with CEEweb for Biodiversity, including the creation of a LinkedIn Group for European GI practi-tioners and a Green Infrastructure Knowledge Hub. ECNC also participated in various European-related policy-oriented expert committees. The Natura 2000 network of protected sites is also a network of people – nature conservation experts, practitioners and diverse stakeholders. Strengthening its implementation as a cohesive ecological network is central to achieving the targets of the EU‘s 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. To promote cooperation and interactive collabo-ration between stakeholders, the European Commission has continued to roll out the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process. ECNC is the lead contractor supporting its implementation: in 2014, ECNC was successful in its bid for the continued development of the Process. The Process provides

Member States and expert stakeholders with a practical framework to exchange knowledge, experience and best practices to improve nature conservation management know-how. The Process involves a series of seminars, one for each bio-geographical region. The Mediterranean kick-off seminar took place in May 2014. Networking is promoted through follow-up meetings, as well as the Natura 2000 Platform. The Platform mobilizes stakeholders for the Process by providing information about events, as well as documents and reports and a discussion forum. Users can submit expert and organizational profiles, access informa-tion through an interactive biogeographical map, and consult a page with Natura 2000 funding oppor-tunities. There were approximately 1,200 unique visitors per month in 2014. A digital bimonthly newsletter was developed and two issues were published. Follow-up networking events in 2014 included: a workshop on the restoration of Alpine rivers (Slovak Republic); a Natura 2000 management workshop (Hungary); a Mediterranean wetland governance workshop (Spain); and the ‘Natura 2000 in action!’ conference (Spain). Also, work started on developing over 10 networking events on various subjects in 2015. Details of all such events are communicated via the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process news-letter and the Natura 2000 Platform.

KEY MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES Workshop ‘Increasing engagement of people and local economies with Natura 2000’; Bruges and Knokke-Heist,

Belgium, 2 & 3 April 2014

Mediterranean Natura 2000 kick-off seminar; Thessaloniki, Greece, 26–28 May 2014

Workshop ’Alpine freshwater habitats, river restoration’; Slovak Republic, 3 & 4 September 2014

Natura 2000 management workshop; Hungary, 22 & 23 September 2014

EUROPARC 2014 annual conference; Killarney, Ireland, 30 September – 2 October 2014

Final workshop: Study on active dissemination of environmental information in relation to the Birds and Habitats Directives; Brussels, Belgium, 24 October 2014

First European land stewardship congress; Barcelona, Spain, 5–8 November 2014 (ECNC and Eurosite gave a workshop on the role of land stewardship in the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands)

Workshop 'Territorial governance and policy integration for Mediterranean water dependent Natura 2000 sites: challenges and opportunities'; Barcelona, Spain, 6 November 2014

European Learning Network for Regions and Biodiversity conference ‘Natura 2000 in action!’; Barcelona, Spain, 10 & 11 December 2014

Meetings of the EC Coordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature (CGBN) and the Group of Experts on Protected Areas and Ecological Networks

Meetings of the European Habitats Forum

Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014 5

Assessment and integrated management of biodiversity

AIMS To contribute to the development of tools to monitor the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services. To manage species and their ecosystems.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2014 ECNC is coordinator or partner in a number of European networks, including ALTER-Net, OpenNESS, the European Learning Network on Functional AgroBiodiversity, the European Learning Network for Regions and Biodiversity, and the Large Herbivore Network. The OpenNESS project is an example of how ECNC translates science and knowledge on ecosystem services for stakeholders and policymakers; ECNC leads the work package on communication. At the first annual meeting in March 2014, OpenNESS partners attended training sessions, workshops and bilateral clinics. The OpenNESS project presented two case studies at a stand (prepared by ECNC and INBO) at the Belgian Ecosystem Services Community Christmas market. An ECNC representative gave a keynote speech based on OpenNESS and how science can influence policy. In 2014, ECNC continued its work with the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity. Activities included processing of the national reports on Habitats Directive Article 17, and representing the ETC/BD at the 8th EIONET workshop on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation (Copenhagen, Denmark). ECNC provided input to ALTER-Net’s communication activities, participated in council and management board meetings, and was part of the organizing

committee for a conference on nature-based solutions (2015). ECNC and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) led a review workshop for the updated BioScore biodiversity impact assessment tool. A summary review report was produced for the end-user workshop, which ECNC organized and facilitated. ECNC also supported the project with communication activities. In February 2014, ECNC organized a mapping workshop as part of the MESEU (Mapping of Ecosystems and their Services in the EU and its Member States) project. Delegations from the Czech Republic, France, Italy and the Netherlands worked with mapping experts, tested models, and produced ecosystem services maps. ECNC started work on a project to improve under-standing of initiatives related to the mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services that are being developed in EECCA countries and five SEE countries. A project to increase understanding of the vulnerability of the Carpathian region to climate change ended in 2014 with presentations at the Carpathian forum and a joint summary brochure. ECNC is providing ecological expertise to the owner of the office building in which the ECNC Secretariat is located.

KEY MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES ALTER-Net Council meetings in January and June 2014, and Management Board meeting in May 2014

Workshop on ecosystem services mapping; Ispra, Italy, 10–13 February 2014

OpenNESS First annual meeting; Budapest, Hungary, 24–28 March 2014

EP Intergroup on Climate Change, conference ‘Towards a consolidated network of knowledge (NoK) on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe'; Brussels, Belgium, 1 April 2014

High-level conference ‘Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) in Europe’; Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2014

8th EIONET workshop on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; Copenhagen, Denmark, 23 & 24 June 2014

IPBES second Pan-European Stakeholder Consultation Meeting; Basel, Switzerland, 22 & 23 September 2014

Workshop for end-users of the BioScore tool; Brussels, Belgium, 16 October 2014

ETC/BD Management Committee meeting; Berlin, Germany, 27 & 28 October 2014

Belgian Ecosystem Services Community (BEES) Christmas market; Gembloux, Belgium, 17 December 2014

6 Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014

Business and biodiversity

AIMS To promote the integration of biodiversity issues within economic sectors and to facilitate investment in biodiversity-related business.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2014 ECNC has a strong focus on cooperation with busi-nesses and business sectors, maintaining an almost constant dialogue with various business partners on opportunities to cooperate and provide input on biodiversity and sustainability issues. The project Green impetus for holiday destinations was launched in July 2014. Green impetus will provide ways to deal with the problem of dwindling visitor numbers resulting from the negative effects of loss of biodiversity, nature and landscape. It will examine possible areas of improvement related to tourism and biodiversity, and sustainability, and showcase good developments and strengths. The aim is to test and refine several existing programmes that offer destinations a structured way to improve and de-velop their sustainability, such as QualityDestination (see page 3). A start was made on identifying pilot destinations to test the programmes in the Nether-lands and abroad. ECNC, as part of the ECNC Land & Sea Group, is a founding partner of Healthy Seas, and coordinates the initiative, also on behalf of the other founding partners, Aquafil and Star Sock. The initiative re-moves waste, in particular fishing nets, from the seas. The recovered nets are regenerated into

ECONYL® yarn, a high-quality raw material used for new products, such as socks, swimwear, and carpets. In 2014, activities focused on the North Sea, Adriatic Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Over 60 volunteer divers and various fishermen’s communities helped Healthy Seas recover 31 tonnes of nets (see the fact sheet on 2014’s results). As well as removing waste from the seas and providing raw materials for a circular eco-nomy, these activities raised awareness among com-munities and offered opportunities for outreach and communication among young people, fishermen, salvage companies and local businesses. Healthy Seas provides a showcase at European level for circular economy and sustainability, and was featured at Green Week 2014 and the EU Business @ Biodiversity Platform. The initiative has attracted the interest of a wide range of businesses, resulting in a number of partnerships (see the list at the end of this report). ECNC promoted the integration of biodiversity into the business practices of a number of Dutch busi-nessses and umbrella organizations. ECNC’s Regional Representative in Germany presented two seminars to farmers; topics covered included the marketing of regional products.

KEY MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES Healthy Seas at ISPO 2014 trade fair and exhibition; Munich, Germany, 26–29 January 2014

EcoFINDERS project annual meeting; Manchester, UK, 10–13 February 2014

Press event ‘Together towards a waste-free North Sea’; Ostend, Belgium, 14 May 2014

Healthy Seas at Green Week 2014; Brussels, Belgium, 3–5 June 2014

EcoFINDERS final meeting; Dijon, France, 1 & 2 December 2014

First global soil biodiversity conference; Dijon, France, 2–5 December 2014

Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014 7

Highlights of activities carried out with LIFE+ funding Funding from the LIFE+ programme through the EU NGO grant scheme enabled ECNC to work on themes and activities that directly support EU policy imple-mentation and biodiversity objectives, and bring together a wide range of stakeholders. Fully inte-grated with ECNC’s operational programmes, the following provide several examples of what was achieved in 2014. The QualityDestination programme (see page 3) encourages local action for biodiversity and sustain-ability across Europe. The programme engaged a number of European municipalities in biodiversity measures and policy, especially in delivering the objectives of sustainability and nature-based tourism. At least 500 people were reached through seminars and presentations and thousands more through the press, Internet and social media. The European Learning Network on Functional AgroBiodiversity (ELN-FAB) accumulates and shares knowledge on how biodiversity can be mobilized to benefit sustainable agriculture; it is an excellent example of a targeted knowledge transfer platform at European level. In 2014, ECNC participated in the stakeholder forum of two EcoFINDERS meetings on behalf of the ELN-FAB.

ECNC coordinated the European Learning Network for Regions and Biodiversity. The conference ‘Natura 2000 in action!’ focused on how Europe’s regions can contribute to and benefit from Natura 2000. CEEweb for Biodiversity and ECNC, together with Biebrza National Park (Poland), organized a work-shop on the possibilities offered by Green Infra-structure. ECNC supported CEEweb in organizing the CEEweb Academy on Green Infrastructure ‘Pre-serving our natural capital: Policy and practice’. In cooperation with CEEweb, ECNC prepared a training handbook on Green Infrastructure for trainers. Many of the activities of the Healthy Seas initiative are funded from other sources and fundraising remains a constant priority. Support through the NGO grant was used for: communication campaigns (website, social media, publications, presentations, press releases, and TV, newspaper, magazine and radio interviews) to increase awareness of the problem of marine litter and its possible solutions; identifying European pilot regions, and involving local and stakeholder groups (divers, salvage companies, fish farms, fishermen, NGOs, governments and the general public) in actions to recover waste fishing nets from the seas; and presenting a cooperation model in which NGOs and businesses work together, in a sustainable and rewarding manner, for a better planet.

Healthy Seas fishnet removal action in Croatia. © Healthy Seas / Cees Kassenberg

8 Highlights of ECNC’s activities in 2014

An Internet-based biodiversity package was de-veloped to share a range of innovative tools and approaches for effective communication and facil-itation for biodiversity, targeting a wide range of people, including young people. ECNC supported SMEs in the establishment and implementation of Green Deals focusing on part-nerships between businesses and NGOs in the field of nature and sustainability. The ECNC Land & Sea Group was one of the eleven parties involved in the start-up of the Sustainable Tourism Green Deal in November. ECNC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BookDifferent, a hotel booking website. ECNC’s activities for the ALTER-Net biodiversity, ecosystem and awareness research network (see page 5), and for the BioScore review (see page 5) were also funded under the NGO grant.

ECNC coordinated the European Habitats Forum working group on Green Infrastructure. ECNC’s participation in the Coordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature, and other relevant EC expert groups was also made possible with LIFE+ funding. The outcomes of these meetings were communicated to relevant target groups. ECNC provided lectures, presentations and training at selected events. Participation in conferences, training courses and field visits also helped ECNC to increase its capacity, develop staff know-how and effectively contribute to the development and implementation of EU bio-diversity policy. An ECNC Board meeting was held back-to-back with the ECNC Group Board meeting, ensuring enhanced synergies between networks and people.

ECNC promotes awareness and implementation of EU biodiversity and nature policies. © G8w, Wikimedia Commons

ECNC’s financial partners In 2014 ECNC’s projects were financially supported by various organizations and institutions, without whom ECNC would not have been able to carry out its work.

Corpac Huis

Council of Europe

Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF)

Elsevier Science

European Commission, Directorate-General for the Environment

European Commission, Directorate-General for the Environment: LIFE+ NGO Grant

European Commission, Directorate-General Environment and Climate Action

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research, Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration

European Environment Agency

European Environment Agency, European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity

Flemish Land Agency (VLM), Belgium

Healthy Seas initiative

Founding partners: ECNC Land & Sea Group, Aquafil, and Star Sock

Associate Partner Members: DESSO, Interface, Kaufland, modulyss, and NKD

Associate Partner Donors: FONDA, Nofir, and VERTER

Other Partners (who volunteer and share time and knowledge): Adessium Foundation, ASN Bank, Billy-T, C.I.V. Den Oever U.R., Duikteam Zeester, Ecoduikers, European Commission, gemeente Hollands Kroon, Ghost Fishing, Indigo Sage, Koru Swimwear, Los Angeles Underwater Explorers, MEDASSET, Noordzee Nettenvrij, Pan Salvage Inc., Sea Breaze, SDVO, Waste Free Oceans, Waste is a Resource, and World Animal Protection

Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs

PBL–Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency

United Nations Environment Programme Tilburg, October 2015

Editors: Glynis van Uden, Neil McIntosh Design: Hanneke Wijnja and Imre Sebestyén Jr. / UNITgraphics.com Cover photograph: The Dordogne, France © Jean-Pierre Mareschal/ MEDDE-MLETR

ECnC’s Contribution to a bEautiful EuropE

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