The project “European Capitals of Biodiversity” is supported by LIFE for three years (2009-2011). Clear objectives, outcomes and results are defined in the project. On this page we report regularly on the progress and achievements of the project. An international Advisory Board helps and supports us in the development of the project.

 

 

The Members of the Advisory Board are:

• Adrián Dorta Borges, Spanish Federation of Municipalities;
• Prof. Philippe Clergeau, National Museum of Natural History, France;
• Felipe López García, Spanish Network of Local Governments;
• Eva Goris, German Wildlife Foundation;
• Oliver Hillel, Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada;
• Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Germany;
• Prof. Dr. Dittmar Machule, Foundation for Vibrant Cities, Germany;
• Amrit Mediratta, Council of Europe, Great Britain;
• Pavlína Mišíková, Ministry of Environment, Slovak Republic;
• Dr. Zsolt Szilvácsku, Respect Consulting Ltd., Corvinus University, Hungary.

 

 

Principal objective of the project is to increase nature and biodiversity protection in urban areas and by local authorities in Europe.

Specific objectives of the project are:

• To support and motivate initiatives of local authorities regarding nature protection and conservation of biodiversity in Europe by organising competitions for municipalities;
• To improve the successful German competition model and to transfer the experience to four other European countries (Spain, Slovakia, Hungary and France);
• To support local authorities to fulfil legal compliance regarding nature and biodiversity protection;
• To inform local authorities about their possibilities regarding nature and biodiversity protection;
• To promote the extension and accessibility of green areas;
• To establish a common biodiversity monitoring system among participating municipalities;
• To inform and sensitize citizens regarding nature protection and conservation of biodiversity and the importance of their collaboration.

 

 

This is a selection of the expected outcomes and results of the project:

• Two national competitions in France, Hungary, Slovakia and Spain (2010 and 2011), one in Germany (2010);
• Monitoring system for local authorities to monitor biodiversity projects on local level. Available in six European languages;
• Information brochure regarding the competition (objectives, background, examples, criteria) in six languages;
• Competition material in English, German, Spanish, Hungarian, French and Slovak;
• 10.000 municipalities in five countries informed about the competitions;
• A minimum of 450 municipalities participating in the competitions 2010 and/or 2011 in their respective country;
• 36 training workshops for local authorities with 500 – 600 participants in five countries;
• CD-ROM in six languages with positive examples of, and very practical information for, local authorities in all European countries;
• All relevant organisations and administrations in all EU member states and candidates well informed about the competition;
• Media contacts to more than 250 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations on European level;
• More than 300 articles and reports published in various European countries about the award and the background (= importance of biodiversity);
• Comprehensive Train-the-Trainer-programme to enable organisations from all European countries to organise municipal competitions with focus on nature and biodiversity;
• More than 50 related networks and associations in Europe informed and involved.

 

 

We are still in the preparatory work for the first competitions and we have accomplished quite a bit so far:

• A monitoring system has been selected and incorporated into the questionnaire;
• First Advisory Board meeting took place in Madrid;
• The project was invited to participate in the COP10 CBD conference in Nagoya in October 2010;
• A common strategy for public relations has been agreed on;
• Our international flyer was released (ready for download on this website) and this project website launched;
• The national questionnaires and information brochures are currently being compiled, and launching dates for the national competitions are to be released soon.