Current Status

24.06.2010

NatuRegio trainees report on their experience whilst taking part in NatuRegio. Read their reports here.

Iulia Olariu: Environmental Education in the Sächsische Schweiz National Park.

Olya Genova: Visitor centres in the Bavarian Forest and Berchtesgaden National Parks

02.06.2010

Developing expertise for the sustainable management of natural resources in Romania and Bulgaria...

...This was the main objective of the NatuRegio project, which closed officially in April 2010 after four years (2006-2010) of successful implementation. The project was run by a fruitful a partnership between the NNA (Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Protection), Lüneburg University, Euronatur (European Natural Heritage Fund) and the EUROPARC Federation. Funding was provided by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) and the Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S.

Over the last four years young professionals from Romanian and Bulgarian protected areas, nature conservation agencies and NGOs have had the opportunity to take part in a one-year vocational training programme. The programme was designed to strengthen participants capacities in the management of natural resources and protected areas to ensure their more efficient and effective management. Trainees were able to take part in seminars and placements in Germany as well as technical meetings in Romania and Bulgaria. A further and particularly important component was the development of an individual project, financially supported by the foundations, which every trainee then implemented in his/her home region.

In addition, an international network was established through NatuRegio. It will enable the trainees and partner organisations in Germany to remain in contact. Since all trainees are highly qualified and cover a wide range of expertise in the field of nature conservation and regional development, is very valuable and has a lot of potential for future activities. The NNA will be responsible for coordinating the network after the official end of the project.

No one can explain the programme better than those who took part in it. Thus to mark the end of the programme we will be publishing articles on first hand experiences from some trainees in the next editions of the E-News and on the website.

For more information please contact Diana Gallrapp or visit the project website.

01.02.2010

Training seminar in Romania organised by EUROPARC

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.

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. Participants discussed topics like the role of NGOs in nature protection, opportunities for cross-border conservation and eco-tourism in protected areas. Particular attention was given to EU policies and legislation in this field and their implementation at national level. Furthermore the trainees  presented their projects, they have implemented in their home institutions. During a field visit to the Piatra Craiului National Park and the historical City Centre of Brasov, many natural and cultural issues of the region have been explored.

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

For more information contact Diana Gallrapp