Register now | Developing the European Nature Academy (ENA)

Published on: 31/01/24

Register now! Developing the European Nature Academy (ENA)

Future-proof training & capacity building for Natura 2000 and PAs

When? 14 – 16 May. Travel is required on the 13th of May, with the event concluding at 13:00 CET 16th of May.
Where? Villa Revedin Bolasco, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy

About LIFE ENABLE

LIFE ENABLE is a ground-breaking project, designed to provide practical training for Protected Area (PA) and Natura 2000 managers. Taking a competence-based, blended learning approach, the project has developed and run five unique capacity building programmes for selected participants.

To do this, the European Nature Academy (ENA) was created: launched at the start of 2023, the ENA is a dedicated networking and co-learning platform for nature’s managers. Central to the ENA’s ethos, all training courses are designed and delivered to enable participants to work together, think through common challenges and develop practical solutions to improve management effectiveness: at all times, the focus is on applied learning and the development of the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to support and strengthen implementation of policy priorities for nature.

This major end-of-project networking event presents the project and its achievements, and invites delegates to discuss ways to capitalise on the results. By attending, you will be able to learn about the project’s impacts from contributing project partners, including the capacity building initiatives the project has kick-started for future development. Also, you will hear directly from ENA participants about their experiences and how they are applying their learning to benefit their work. At the same time, we want to hear from you about your work and how the ENA could be transformative in helping you to achieve your priorities for nature.

Using a mix of plenary presentations, interactive sessions and break-out group working, the aim of this networking event is to identify ways to consolidate the ENA and its future development. Together, we will explore the next chapter of the ENA as the dedicated capacity building hub for Natura 2000 and Protected Area managers. At the same time, we want those attending to take-away ideas that can be used to inform their projects and training programmes for staff in their teams and organisations. In particular, we will invite participants to consider how a “Learning with LIFE” network of projects and project managers could be developed.

Reflecting the experience sharing and co-learning ethos of the ENA, delegates will also have opportunities to share their work and projects in the ‘Castelfranco Knowledge Market’. You will be able to interact with delegates about ways to ensure sustainable, practical capacity building initiatives.

Who should attend?

People (*) with responsibilities for Natura 2000 implementation and Protected Area management – this includes practitioners working on-site, as well as those developing nature policy and decision-makers, especially those with responsibilities for training, capacity building and professional development: in particular, we are keen to attract those engaged in other capacity building projects.

* Natura 2000 managers; Protected Area practitioners, including Rangers; Local or Regional PA management authorities; representatives from National or Regional agencies with responsibilities for Natura 2000 & Protected Areas’ management.

Registration

There is no fee to attend. We anticipate high interest to participate in this event and the number of places is strictly limited. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible and certainly no later than 29 April!

Register here!

Places for the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please wait for confirmation of your spot before booking travel and accommodation.

Knowledge Market

Respecting the capacity rules of the venue, places will be strictly limited. Please tell us on the application form if you would be interested to have a stall to present your projects, your initiatives or the work or your organisation connected to capacity building.

Field Trip

The programme will also include a field visit of the Grave e Zone Umide della Brenta (IT3260018) Natura 2000 site.

The site (area: 3848 ha) is both a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The site is a riverscape rich in different habitats (e.g., standing and running water habitats, forests, dry grasslands) and hosting a variety of species of conservation interest (e.g, Rana latastei, Emys orbicularis).

We will visit different habitat types, habitat of species and sites where recent active restoration measures have been implemented. Starting from the experience gained with the LIFE Brenta 2030, we will discuss together with the experts involved in such LIFE projects, about habitat restoration, habitat and species monitoring, citizen and stakeholder involvement and participation, management body identification, and innovative funding sources.

Check-out a short video on the Natura 2000 site and conservation measures:

Outline Programme

Throughout the programme, the sessions are designed to share information with you, but also to gather your ideas and experiences. As such, this networking event will be participative and highly interactive. (All timings & sessions indicative only at this stage.)

Visit the Programme

About the event location

Villa Revedin Bolasco, Gardens Source: https://ilbolive.unipd.it

The venue of the LIFE ENABLE Final Conference will be Villa Revedin Bolasco.

Now owned by the Università degli Studi di Padova, Villa Revedin Bolasco was built by Count Francesco Revedin between 1852 and 1865. The Villa includes a luminous staircase, an elaborately decorated ballroom, and lavish stables dedicated to Count Revedin equestrian passion that incorporates sophisticated architectural design and innovative cast iron materials.

The villa embodies a large English garden, declared as the “Most beautiful park in Italy” in 2018. The park is outstretched by alternating meadows, ponds, hills, and trees completed by an ornate horseback riding arena encircled by 52 statues and two elevated equestrian statues.

Villa Revedin Bolasco, Gardens Source: https://ilbolive.unipd.it

Accomodation in the area

Castelfranco Veneto with different locations. Source: Google Maps

All accommodations are in Castelfranco Veneto (TV). Please remember to mention the Università degli Studi di Padova when booking to have a special offer.