NatuRegio

Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union as new member states in 2007. The rich asset of the natural areas in the two countries has considerably increased species and habitat diversity in the European Union. Nonetheless, both countries are subject to extensive demands when it comes to implementing and transferring the Common Legal Framework of the European Union in the field of nature conservation into the existing national systems. Specific efforts and programs are needed to support the accession process and to protect those unique natural and cultural landscapes.

Objective

NatuRegio aims to contribute to a sustainable conservation of the natural resources of Romania and Bulgaria by enabling young conservationists from both countries to gain expertise and experience in nature conservation and regional development and then to transfer this knowledge to their home countries.

Approach

The NatuRegio project has been run by the Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Conservation (D), the University of Lüneburg (D), Euronatur and the EUROPARC Federation since 2006. It is financed by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S. and the German Environmental Foundation.

The project awards scholarships to 10 young environmental professionals from Romania and Bulgaria. Successful applicants take part in a four-month nature conservation management training programme in Germany, consisting of placements in German protected areas, accompanying seminars and language training. A key factor during this period is the development of 'hands-on-projects' by the trainees in accordance with their home institutions which they eventually implement in their home countries. Two of the ten project ideas are funded and given a special award.

In addition, the project supports the creation of a transboundary network of Romanian, Bulgarian and German young professionals in the field of nature conservation. In the long-run this promises to increase the acceptance of conservation issues in EU integration.

Current Status

The 4th NatuRegio training seminar was held in Poiana Brasov (RO) from the 1st – 5th of June 2009 with the participation of 20 Bulgarian and Romanian trainees. The seminar, organised by EUROPARC, was the first time during the course of the programme that trainees from two project years (2008 and 2009) gathered for the training course.
Training sessions were held by representatives of several organisations and institutions, e.g. WWF-Romania, Association of Ecotourism in Romania, the Italian Institute for International Legal Studies and the German Technical Cooperation. The programme gave a broad insight into the challenges of natural resource management at
European and national levels.

The first day focused on some important experiences in Romania and Bulgaria. The second day examined experiences and framework conditions at the European level. Particular attention was given to European Union policies and legislation in this field and their implementation at national level, bilateral development cooperation and ecotourism. Finally the trainees from the 07/08 presented their projects, they have implemented in their home institutions. Included in the programme was also an excellent field visit to the Piatra Craiului National Park and the historical City Centre of Brasov, where many natural and cultural issues of the region were explored.

A more detailed article on the seminar can be found below.

Contact: Diana Gallrapp, d.gallrapp@europarc.org