Supporting nature conservation projects in Central and Eastern Europe

In 2001 and 2002, 21 nature conservation projects received funding through the Action Plan for Nature Management in Central and Eastern Europe for a total sum of more than EUR 2 million a year.

Current situation

The Action Plan for Nature Management in Central and Eastern Europe (Actieplan Natuurbeheer Midden- en Oost-Europa) spent almost EUR 5 million in 2001 and 2002 on 21 nature conservation projects carried out in Central and Eastern Europe (see figure). Most of the money went to Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Russia.

Policy objectives

The Action Plan for Nature Management in Central and Eastern Europe has four themes on which funding is spent. Most of the projects approved involve more than one theme. The themes are: (1) policy development for nature management and ecological networks (52% of the projects), (2) the reinforcement of support for nature management (62% of the projects), (3) site protection and management of ecosystems and of exchange between ecosystems (86% of the projects) and (4) promotion of a sustainable relationship between agriculture and nature management (71% of the projects).

The Action Plan for Nature Management in Central and Eastern Europe is part of the International Policy Programme on Biodiversity (Beleidsprogramma Biodiversiteit Internationaal). The total budget is EUR 5 million. In addition to the grants awarded for nature conservation projects in Central and Eastern Europe, the plan also covers the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding with Russia, Ukraine, Hungary and Poland, projects awarded via the embassies ("Small-Scale" Nature Initiatives Programme", Kleine Natuurinitiatieven Programma), agreements with international organisations (including the World Conservation Union IUCN, the European Centre for Nature Conservation and Wetlands International) and activities resulting from international consultations.