LIFE PAME EUROPE: a unifying approach to Protected Area Management Effectiveness

Photographer: Sebastian Freiler @ EUROPARC Conference 2022 in Austria

EUROPARC is the lead partner of the groundbreaking LIFE PAME Europe project, which aims to create a unifying approach to Protected Area Management Effectiveness.

A unifying approach to Protected Area Management Effectiveness: The LIFE PAME Europe Project

Effective management of Protected Areas is a cornerstone of all leading biodiversity strategies. But how do we measure that effectiveness? And just as importantly, how do we transform the wealth of data we collect into actionable insights?

The LIFE PAME-Europe project, led by the EUROPARC Federation, aims to answer these questions by developing a Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) methodology that harmonises with existing national and international systems.

Not Just Another Methodology—The Methodology

Currently, the evaluation of Protected Area Management Effectiveness in Europe is fragmented. Some Member States rely on their own national or international systems, while others have none. This patchwork leads to unreliable and incomparable data, making it challenging to form a clear picture of biodiversity trends across the EU.

LIFE PAME Europe seeks to change that—not by imposing yet another system, but by building upon the best of what already exists. The project will analyse established MEE methodologies such as the IUCN Green List, European Diploma, IUCN’s Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT), and WWF’s Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM), along with national approaches. By identifying their strengths, LIFE PAME Europe will create a flexible, adaptable framework tailored to the diverse needs of EU Member States.

LIFE PAME Europe Projects partners at the Kick-off meeting,

From data to insight: a digital tool for Member States

To ensure consistent, comparable data, the European Environmental Agency will develop a digital tool based on the LIFE PAME-Europe methodology. This tool will enable Member States to report their MEE findings, creating a cohesive dataset that provides a comprehensive overview of Europe’s biodiversity management. It will also promote a landscape-scale approach, shifting from isolated site-based assessments to a broader, interconnected perspective.

Building a community for success

A core component of the LIFE PAME-Europe project is the establishment of a Management Effectiveness Community (MEC). This group, comprising key stakeholders and tool users, will offer valuable feedback and share on-the-ground experiences to ensure the methodology meets real-world needs.

Bridging the gap: piloting and Capacity Building

LIFE PAME-Europe isn’t just about theory; it’s about practical, impactful solutions. The methodology will be tested in 40 pilot sites across Europe, providing opportunities to refine and adapt the framework. Additionally, an online training course will be developed and employed on EUROPARC’s European Natura Academy (ENA) to enhance the competencies of those conducting MEE assessments.

The project’s commitment to Capacity Building ensures that the methodology will serve both Member States with advanced systems and those just starting their journey. After all, how data is gathered is just as important as the fact that it is gathered.

Interested in becoming one of the pilot sites? Reach out to us!

Project steps:

  1. Assess existing approaches;
  2. Develop the LIFE PAME Europe Methodology;
  3. Pilot the methodology in Parks;
  4. Assess the Pilot;
  5. Create capacity building on the use of the methodology.

LIFE PAME Europe in numbers:

  • 5 Project Partners: EUROPARC Federation, Metsähallitus Parks and Wildlife Finland, DHP Conservation, Nationale Naturlandschaften e.V., Departament de Territori, Habitatge i Transició Ecològica
  • 52 months: September 2024 – December 2028.
  • 40 pilot sites.
  • €1.6m total budget over four years.

EUROPARC Staff involved in the project:

You can get to know all EUROPARC staff here. The following staff are involved in the project:

  • Neil McIntosh – Project Manager
  • Sanna-Kaisa Juvonen – Expert on policy
  • Esther Bossink – Communications Manager
  • Sandra Grego – Communications Officer
  • Jessie Allgaier – Project Coordinator