IMPACT

Innovative Models for Protected Areas: exChange and Transfer. An interregional cooperation project part-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme. Implementation dates: from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2020.

Project summary: New management models to balance preservation and exploitation of protected areas (Natura 2000) has become a priority in most EU regions. IMPACT partnership includes five regions and a large variety of protected areas across Europe with differences in terms of local capacities and potential. The aim is to have a better understanding of patterns followed, development potential and opportunities to change policies related to the management of protected areas through interregional learning. Stakeholder groups meetings, interregional events, study visits and forums will help us transform this potential and opportunities into growth, income and green jobs in and around protected areas. Natura 2000 sites could be turned around more sustainable and efficient if improved policy instruments and approaches are adopted. Besides, this approach guarantees also sustainability of results beyond project lifetime. Communication strategy includes support material, online presence and public relations activities to ensure dissemination of project successes and achievements beyond partners’ regions.

IMPACT expected results and changes are, among others, improving spatial and management tools for Natura 2000 sites, increasing competences of different target groups, raising awareness about natural assets (risks and potential), increasing tourism flows in low and medium season and involving young people in biodiversity preservation. Policymakers, stakeholder groups and partners’ staff will play a key role in the interregional learning process, the development of action plans and the improvement of policy instruments addressed, and therefore, in the project successful implementation. In addition, general public, local communities and particularly groups at risk of discrimination will benefit from IMPACT project results and outputs. Monitoring of action plans implementation (Phase 2) is an added-value for projects as it will make it possible to measure the results in territories.