The EUROPARC Policy Advisory Working Group supports the Directorate in the development of EUROPARC’s policy work.
About the PAWG
EUROPARC represents the interest and ambitions of Protected Areas at different European political and technical levels, especially through championing the value and benefits of Protected Areas for the society and developing and maintaining partnerships with key institutions.
The EUROPARC Policy Advisory Working Group (PAWG) is confirmed by policy experts from the EUROPARC membership. Their task is to support implementation of the EUROPARC Federation Policy and Advocacy Strategy to 2030. The PAG enriches the capacity of the Directorate in development of policy and EUROPARC policy positions by providing advice, insights and expertise across different policy areas. The PAG contributes to identify priorities and policy areas that require particular attention, taking into account EUROPARC members’ perspectives and needs. It contributes to strengthening the connection between policy thematic areas and Protected Area management practices.
The overarching goal of the PAWG is to provide strategic advice to EUROPARC’s Directorate and Council to support general decision-making & the implementation of the EUROPARC Strategy to 2030, aiming to bridge policy and practice.
You can learn more about this EUROPARC Working Group in the Terms of Reference available for download at the bottom of this page.
Get to know the members of the PAWG!
Michael Hošek – Chair (Czechia) is President of EUROPARC Federation and has a long working experience in state administration and especially in implementation of EU Nature Directives in the Czech Republic. At the moment, he works as a consultant. His areas of expertise are the EU Nature Directives, governance and management effectiveness of Protected Areas.
Humberto Delgado Rosa (Portugal), currently retired, is the ex-Director for Biodiversity, DG Environment at the European Commission. He is experienced in European and international environmental policy, particularly in biodiversity and climate change issues, and he holds a PhD in Evolutionary Biology.
Hilde Eggermont (Belgium), is a freshwater biologist (PhD, Ghent University) and currently serves as General Administrator of the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) and Vice President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Henrik Jansson (Finland) is Executive Director of Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland which is a national level organisation. He has a long working experience in the organisation including in cultural heritage, outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism as well as in several leadership roles. His expertise is the insight into a national level organisation and into an organisation that manages a network of conservation areas as well as how European-level policies affect a national organisation.
Hayley Quarrington (UK) is part of the EUROPARC Youth Council. She works for the New Forest National Park in England and is especially interested in youth empowerment.
Ignace Schops (Belgium) is Director of of the Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland (RLKM). He is also a former President of EUROPARC. He is a biodiversity and herpetology expert with vast knowledge of European and international policy issues through his work e.g. as a member of the Climate Leadership Corps of Al Gore, and as a full member of the EU chapter of the Club of Rome.
Erika Vaida-Bela (Romania) is Conservation Director of the Propark Foundation for Protected Areas. She is WCPA Regional Vice-Chair for Europe of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). She is also a former President of EUROPARC. She has extensive experience in many areas related to Protected Areas, including capacity building and management planning for Protected Areas, amongst others.
The PAWG is supported by the following EUROPARC Directorate Staff: Alberto Arroyo Schnell (Directorate Liason), Federico Minozzi (Member) and Sanna-Kaisa Juvonen (Directorate Support).