Ecology, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Markets and Companies

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Thursday, 28.03.2024, 10:48

3 Baltic countries are the finalists of the Natura 2000 Awards

BC, Riga, 31.03.2016.Print version
Every day, thousands of Europeans invest time, energy and knowledge in protecting nature. The European Commission is again recognizing these achievements through the Natura 2000 Awards for outstanding services in management and conservation of the EU's network of protected areas.

Twenty-four finalists have now been selected from the 83 applications by an expert team of evaluators. They include projects from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Romania, and the United Kingdom. The Awards, now in their third year, are intended to raise awareness about the Natura 2000 network, highlighting its successes and demonstrating the role it plays in protecting nature and promoting social and economic wellbeing.

 

Reacting to the announcement, Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said: “These awards are a great advert for an outstanding network. I am delighted to see so many innovative activities being showcased, with such indisputable benefits for citizens and for nature. If you love nature, have a look at the lists – your vote will help give these remarkable projects the recognition they deserve.”

 

The finalists in five categories – Conservation, Socio-Economic Benefits, Communication, Reconciling Interests/Perceptions, and Networking and Cross-Border Cooperation – will now be assessed by an independent jury. Citizens too are invited to vote for their favourite shortlisted initiative to win the European Citizens’ Award. Online voting closes on 8 May 2016. The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Commissioner Vella in Brussels on Monday 23 May 2016. The event is open to the press and the public. The deadline for registering online is 8 May 2016.






Search site