Boosting local biodiversity action in Southeastern Europe

On January 19 and 20, 2009, the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC) and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) held a kick-off meeting for a large international project to promote biodiversity and sustainability, working with rural municipalities and their local communities in South East Europe (SEE).

The project - which focuses on small municipalities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo/a (under UNSCR 1244) - aims to assist in reducing the downward spiral of poverty, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation through increasing local participation and raising the awareness of local authorities and their citizens.

The countries of SEE have seen a decline in biodiversity and development indicators in the last decade. Local action for biodiversity is essential in order to ensure better conservation status for biodiversity and to maintain so-called ecosystem services. Local sustainable development initiatives do exist in SEE, but not in great numbers.

Partner municipalities participating in this project will be offered support in developing and implementing local biodiversity action plans (LBAPs). Local stakeholder groups, such as farmers, foresters and hunters, will be involved in drafting these plans through providing expertise, organising targeted trainings and promoting the socio-economic benefits of biodiversity for local practical actions.

This three-year project is being supported financially by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose development policy aims to prioritise support to the stability of SEE. The project will contribute to this aim by integrating consideration of biodiversity and ecosystem services into local and regional cooperation initiatives.