Project: The Emerald Network of Natural Protection Sites (2008-2015)
What is this project about?
The project Emerald Network of Nature Protection Sites, Phase II implemented by the Council of Europe (2013-2015, EU: 2 million EUR and Council of Europe: 0.22 million EUR) improves biodiversity protection through the establishment of Emerald sites in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. The project builds on the work achieved in the frame of a previous phase (2009-2011, 1.4 million EUR). The Emerald Network Phase I project provided assistance to the Eastern Neighbourhood countries in identifying species and habitats of European importance in need of protection. Potential sites suitable for ensuring the long-term survival of the threatened species and habitats were also selected under Phase I. The Emerald Network Phase II project supports the countries in:
- Identifying the remaining potential Emerald sites of protected areas and completing their ecological databases;
- Assessing the potential Emerald sites in view of their sufficiency for ensuring the long-term survival of the Bern Convention species and habitats;
- Developing guidelines on the national designation and management of the adopted Emerald Network sites.
Through the work on the Emerald Network, countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood will further implement their commitments under international treaties and align nature protection standards to the Natura 2000 network.
Read more at http://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/emerald-network/home