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Petko Tzvetkov Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation
Towards a TEN-G for European Green Infrastructure:
the Green Belt Initiative
Green Infrastructure: Engaging Regions, Cities and Civil Society - Brussels, November 4, 2013
Representing the Coordination Group of the European Green Belt Initiative
Former Iron Curtain
12.500 km long
Reflects European natural and cultural diversity
• 8 biogeographic regions
• 24 states
Comprises
• Wilderness areas
• Cultural landscapes
• Water ecosystems and coasts
• Threatened species
Contributes to the pan-European Ecological Network
European Green Belt
Project ‚Elbe floodplains‘
Foto: Trägerverbund Lenzen
© Dieter Damschen
Schalsee-Landscape
Elbe floodplains
Osogovo
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Declaration of transboundary protected area
• Involvement of local communities
• Bilateral project – biodiversity inventories, mapping, socio economic studies, consultative councils, workshops
• Partners: BBF&MES&Natura Nova
• Funding: Frankfurt Zoological Society & Pro Natura, Switzerland, SDC
Backbone of a pan-European ecological network contributing to the Natura 2000-/Emerald-network of protected areas
Significant contribution to the Green Infrastructure (GI) for Europe
Common heritage along the former Iron Curtain
Model area for conservation and restoration of a functional ecological network respecting the economic, social, and cultural needs of local communities
Framework for cross-border cooperation on regional and municipal level as well as for protected areas
Best practice example for successful cooperation of GOs and NGOs in a transboundary context
Contributing to the cohesion of Europe and the consolidation of peace
The European Green Belt is
Cooperation between GOs and
NGOs on a European Scale
© Zarko Brajanoski, MES
Territorial challenge with geopolitical and cultural relevancies
Trans-boundary exchange and cooperation in nature conservation, regional development and nature tourism
Development of a European civil society, preserving the common natural and cultural heritage
10th anniversary of the
initiative – 15/16 May 2013
Celebration act and conference at the German Ministry for Environment in Berlin
Joint Declaration of Intent 11 states signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on
working together on the European Green Belt
5 more states signed on 4 September 2013
Other states already conveyed their intention to sign
Strong political support for the Initiative!
Structure of the Initiative
Regional Coordinator Central Europe
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
Regional Coordinator Baltic
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
Regional Meetings
Regional Coordinator Fennoscandia
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Coordinator Balkan
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
Structure of the Initiative
National Focal Point
National NGO
Regional Coordinator
Fennoscandia
Regional Coordinator
Central Europe
National Focal Point
National NGO
Regional Coordinator
Balkan
National Focal Point
National NGO
5
Regional Meetings
Regional Coordinator Fennoscandia
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Coordinator Balkan
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
Coordination Group*
Regional Coordinator
Baltic
National Focal Point
National NGO
Regional Coordinator Central Europe
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
Regional Coordinator Baltic
National focal point
National NGOs
National focal point
Regional Meetings
* One of the Coordination Group members is elected as chair for a term of two years.
IUCN as consultant
Achievements / Positive
Developments – e.g.
Belasitsa Nature Park in Bulgaria was establishes in 2007, as adjacent to Kerkini National Park and Natura 2000 sites in Greece, Shebenik-Jablanica National Park was established in Albania in 2008, an adjacent national park in Macedonia is still in preparation
Joint statement for the protection of the Prespa Park (signed in 2000) was confirmed by the prime ministers in the trilateral area of Albania, Greece and Macedonia in 2009. Currently bilateral Biosphere reserve is in preparation there between Macedonia and Albania.
Memorandum of Understanding for working jointly towards the conservation of the Fennoscandian Green Belt was signed by the Ministers for Environment of Finland, Norway and Russia in 2010
Designation of a 631.000 ha large biosphere reserve along the Drava river in the transboundary area of Hungary and Croatia in 2012
EU-Commission named European Green Belt Initiative as an example for an EU-level Green Infrastructure project in May 2013
The European Green Belt provides:
Ecosystem services – benefit for nature and society
Sustainable forestry, agriculture and tourism including development of local products and branding
Environmental education, monitoring and science
International cooperation
Benefits for the society
Outlook and Goals
Contribution of EuGB to GI policy:
European Green Belt is one of the priority axis for Green Infrastructure in Europe and is contributing significantly to TEN-G
The European Green Belt is a flagship initiative for GI in Europe
European Green Belt goes beyond national boundaries and is part of the EU and neighboring areas shared natural and cultural heritage and identity
The European Green Belt Initiative offers cooperation and joint development of a best practice example of a pan-European Green Infrastructure project
Outlook and Goals
Next steps for the EuGB as GI on European level:
GI strategy to be worked out, and the Green Belt being key part
TEN-G to be developed with similar status as TEN-T or TEN-E; GI projects of European importance
Specific financing facility to be developed and allocated to provide secured access to funding for GI projects
Integration of the GI into sectorial policy areas such as agriculture, forestry, water, marine and fisheries, regional and cohesion policy, spatial planning, etc.
European Green Belt needs our joint effort and support!
