Enhancing Biodiversity Protection in the Eastern Partnership Countries: Learning from EU Best Practices

The World Bank, under the EU4Environment Programme, supports the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) in advancing the Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest by developing national action plans and roadmaps, regulatory framework recommendations, management plan guidelines, and pilot management plans.

With this aim, the World Bank, jointly with Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment, SIA - an international consulting company, and the Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is organizing a regional learning event “Enhancing Biodiversity Protection in the Eastern Partnership Countries: Learning from EU Best Practices” to share expertise, experiences, and good practices in management and conservation of the Emerald Network.

Representatives of line ministries and other relevant government agencies, NGOs, and academia from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and international experts will discuss progress, challenges and lessons learned in biodiversity conservation initiatives, as well as regulatory requirements, and experiences in site management, enforcement, and community participation, among others. The participants will also learn about experiences of EU countries in biodiversity conservation and the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Nature Restoration Law.

Expected Outcomes:

Enhance the understanding of legal framework related to nature conservation in the Eastern Partnership countries, with comparative insights from EU member states and relevant EU legislation.
Formulate effective site management strategies through case studies and experiences, enabling better planning, maintenance, and sustainability of protected areas.
Build the technical and institutional capacity of stakeholders to manage and support conservation initiatives.
Discuss approaches to actively engage local communities in conservation efforts, recognizing their vital role in biodiversity protection and sustainable resource use.
Share experiences, challenges, and solutions among the Eastern Partnership countries and EU counterparts, fostering future collaboration and alignment with EU nature policies.

Time	Item
14:00-14:20	*Opening remarks:* Welcome address and introduction to the workshop Moderated by Valts Vilnītis, Team Leader, ELLE · Gayane Minasyan, Regional Manager, Environment, World Bank · Fisseha Tessema Abissa, Task Team Leader, EU4Environment Programme Result Area 4, Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist, World Bank · Ľuboš Halada, Director, Institute of Landscape Ecology, SAS
14:20-14:50	*National systems of protected areas in the new EU Member States* Comparative review of national systems of protected areas in selected EU Member States and its evolution, focusing on transitions from post-Soviet systems to Natura 2000 and case studies from Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, and other countries. Speaker: Valts Vilnītis, Team Leader, ELLE Q&A
14:50-15:05	*Road map to a functional protected area system* Presentation of a road map for establishing and ensuring the functionality of protected area systems (Emerald Network or Natura 2000). Speaker: Jan Černecký, Head of the Reporting and SAC Department, State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic Q&A
15:05-15:50	*Stakeholder roles in management of protected areas* Roles of stakeholders (national and local authorities, communities, academia, civil society, and the public) – initiative, responsibility, funding, management, land ownerships. A couple of case studies with different role distribution. Speaker: Gatis Eriņš, Key Expert, ELLE Q&A
15:50-16:20	Break
16:20-16:40	*Conservation and management: from doing nothing to doing everything* Overview of conservation measures and management activities for key habitats and species groups, ranging from minimal intervention to active management practices. Speaker: Anete Pošiva-Bunkovska, Key Expert, ELLE Q&A
16:40-17:10	*Forest management in Natura 2000 areas – a hot topic* Insights into forest management practices within Natura 2000 areas, highlighting their impacts on biodiversity and economic contributions to local communities. Speaker: Gatis Eriņš, Key Expert, ELLE Q&A
17:10-17:40	*Contribution of protected areas to economy* Exploration of how economic activities within Natura 2000 sites can promote biodiversity conservation, with a focus on community participation and sustainable practices. Speaker: Anete Pošiva-Bunkovska, ELLE (tbc) Q&A
17:40-17:50	*Closing remarks* Valts Vilnītis, Team Leader, ELLE

Enhancing Biodiversity Protection in the Eastern Partnership Countries: Learning from EU Best Practices

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