From 10-12 March, over 70 Protected Area professionals gathered in Prague for the LIFE PAME-Europe Training Seminar for Pilot Sites. Learn more about why they were in Prague!

What is LIFE PAME-Europe?

The LIFE PAME-Europe project is a EUROPARC led project to support the development of a Framework to assess Management Effectiveness in European Protected Areas. Building on the best of what already exists globally and nationally, the PAME-Europe Framework will ensure that across Europe we can collect robust data to measure the effectiveness of our Protected Areas, and support Protected Area managers in delivering better outcomes for biodiversity.

Participants at the Training Seminar in Prague.

Why Management Effectiveness?

Biodiversity is declining. This has serious impacts on the health of our planet and people. From food security to fresh water – humans rely on biodiversity and well-functioning ecosystems.

Protected Areas have a vital role to play to halt biodiversity loss. That is why European and global targets aim to protect at least 30% of land and sea. However, designating Protected Areas is not enough. We need to ensure that these spaces are effectively managed. The PAME-Europe Framework will help Protected Area Managers, as well as national authorities, to assess how effective their management is: more than just a reporting system, this self-assessement Framework will help adapt management plans to ensure they are delivering on the best results for nature.

What happened in Prague?

To ensure that the Framework is fit for purpose, 47 Protected Areas across Europe are putting it to the test! After an open call, Pilot Sites were carefully selected to represent a broad geographical range, as well as various degrees of experience with PAME.

Representatives of these LIFE PAME-Europe Pilot Sites came together in Prague to kick-start their co-learning journey. Over the course of 2 days, 75 Protected Area professionals were able to dive into the draft LIFE PAME-Europe Framework and provide their feedback. Through interactive sessions and presentations from the project’s Advisory Board, the event served as the starting point for the Pilot Sites to familiarise themselves with the project, its objectives, and also get to know their peers starting this journey with them.

What will success look like?

Apart from an extensive interrogation of the draft PAME-Europe Framework, participants could also provide their feedback on what success would look like for the project. In an interactive session led by Ben Ross from NatureScot, who is also part of the project’s Advisory Board, the main outcomes identified by participants include:

Participants at the Training Seminar in Prague.

• Site managers define success primarily in terms of better management, not better reporting.
• The main barriers to effective management relate to resources, governance and stakeholder context rather than lack of knowledge.
• The Framework must be simple, useful and flexible if it is to be widely adopted.
• Participants favoured a system that supports learning and improvement rather than one focused primarily on accountability.
• Managers expect the Framework to help demonstrate the value of Protected Areas and support decisions at multiple levels.

These insights are incredibly valuable for the project partners. They provide a good understanding of what is required to ensure the outcomes of the project are of use for practitioners, and also to inform the training needs for Pilot Sites.

What next?

The feedback gathered will now be assessed by the LIFE PAME-Europe project partners, resulting in a second draft of the PAME-Europe Framework and accompanying documents. The draft Framework will though continue to be developed and evolve based on the Pilot Sites’ experiences throughout the remainder of 2026. Furthermore, to ensure that the Pilot Sites are well-equipped to start the piloting of the Framework, they are receiving tailor-made online training delivered through the European Nature Academy. Until the end of June, this training will prepare the Pilot Sites for their implementation of the PAME-Framework. Over the Summer, they will begin the Framework self-assessments and provide feedback on its strengths and weaknesses.

Based on this feedback, the LIFE PAME-Europe project partners will adapt the Framework. All this will ensure that the final result will be of actual benefit to Protected Area managers and – by extension – biodiversity.  Equally, working in close collaboration with DG Env of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, the project aims to produce a Framework that can enhance PAME reporting so that we are able to measure more confidently the state of progress towards biodiversity targets and priorities.  

Want to stay involved?

If you’d like to remain informed on the project and all its developments, we invite you to subscribe to the Management Effectiveness Community (MEC) mailing list here:

To the MEC!

LIFE PAME-Europe project partners

In January 2026, the EUROPARC Federation, as part of the NaturaConnect project, co-organised a 1.5- day in person workshop in Brussels, bringing together stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the future of ecological connectivity and Protected Areas. The workshop, titled From Science to Action, focused on translating scientific research results from the project into practical strategies for the Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N). This network is a cornerstone of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, aiming to create a resilient and connected system of Protected Areas across Europe.

The event highlighted the urgent need to improve the quality, connectivity, and management of Protected Areas to meet the EU’s ambitious protected area restoration targets. Participants, including conservation practitioners, representatives from the European Commission, NGOs, and Protected Areas, provided feedback on the NaturaConnect mapping results, shared insights from their own experience, discussed regional or national challenges, and provided recommendations for upscaling NaturaConnect’s work in the remaining months. 

Discussions highlighted the vital role of Protected Areas and Parks in addressing biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation – and, crucially, the need to ensure these areas are coherent, resilient and well connected across borders.

Key Takeaways for Protected Areas

1. The importance of ecological connectivity

Europe’s Protected Areas, while extensive, are often fragmented and too small to support long-term biodiversity. Discussions and project presentations made it evident that ecological connectivity (the ability of species to move across landscapes) is essential for climate resilience and the survival of the threatened species.NaturaConnect’s research shows that strategic expansion of Protected Areas, combined with the restoration of ecological corridors, can more than double the protected share of suitable species ranges (O’Connor et al., 2025).

2. Transboundary cooperation

Many priority areas and corridors cross national borders, making transboundary cooperation critical. NaturaConnects pan-European connectivity analysis highlights that some of the most important ecological connectivity is concentrated in transboundary and mountainous areas and within the Mediterranean bioregion.

The maps produced by the project and shown in the event “can be used in combination with information about the distribution and condition of habitats within the Natura 2000 network to further explore conservation threats from fragmentation. This makes them directly applicable to supporting EU and national biodiversity strategies, green infrastructure planning, and transboundary conservation initiatives, with particular relevance for the design of ecological corridors, restoration zones, and areas of strict protection.” (Dertien et al., 2025)

Learn more about EUROPARCs Transboundary Programme here.

3. Quality over quantity

Participants agreed that the quality of protection, such as management effectiveness, addressing underprotected habitats, and reducing fragmentation, matters more than simply meeting percentage-based targets. The focus should be on fair responsibility-sharing among countries, ensuring that Protected Areas are representative, connected, and resilient. (Learn more about EUROPARC’s LIFE PAME-Europe project).

This is also why NaturaConnects approach follows the CARE principles: Protected area networks need to be comprehensive, adequate, resilient and effective. Only when addressing all of these, can we secure long-term positive biodiversity outcomes. 

Next Steps

The NaturaConnect project will integrate participants’ feedback from the workshop into a strategy document with recommendations for EU and Member State action for TEN-N implementation. 

The project is now in its final phase and will close in September 2026. EUROPARC and the project partners will work hard together to finalise the remaining outputs and disseminate them among the different stakeholder groups.

Read the full workshop report to learn about key messages from NaturaConnect and the discussions during the workshop.

Watch the summary video about the event and the vision of NaturaConnect.

Check out the digital photo-album for more highlights:

To stay up to date and learn more about the project outputs, sign up for the NaturaConnect newsletter or visit our website.

The Latvian national parks paired up to help a Croatian National Park start their own Junior Ranger programme.

Expanding the Junior Ranger programme through Erasmus+ projects

The Erasmus+ project “Environmental awareness-raising of young people from protected areas”  was a small-scale partnerships project between Gauja National Park Fund (Latvia), Ķemeri National Park Fund (Latvia), Krka National Park (Croatia) and Leader Sepra (Finland). Over the course of two years, it aimed to inform and raise interest of young people about environmental issues in Europe, partner countries and local territories and create possibility to participate and express their opinion through existing youth organisations such as the Junior Ranger Programme, scouts and others.

The project included research into good practices from junior rangers in Latvia, scouts in Finland, and pilot activities in Croatia in the field of non-formal methods, looking at how to involve the teenagers in nature protection and increase their environmental awareness. Not just that, the project also looked even deeper, exploring a the motivations for youth engagement and incorporating them into their youth programmes.

Download the new guide for the EUROPARC Junior Ranger programme and read all about it!

Download it here: Guide

During last two years the project partners had three successful study visits and an international final event in Krka National Park, developing a Junior Ranger Programme and a motivation system for young people which resulted in Krka National Park being the first Croatian Protected Area to implement a EUROPARC Junior Ranger programme in recent years. This programme focused on a first cohort of 20 young people and was strengthened by the project partners, improving environmental knowledge and creating visibility materials. In addition to the establishment of a junior ranger group in Croatia, the number of young rangers and volunteers also grew in Latvia.

The successful realisation of project activities brought numerous benefits to all project partners, involved participants as well as participant organisations. The initiative, aimed at young people aged 13 to 30 (including both Junior Rangers and Youth+), focused on nature protection, environmental restoration, and sustainability. Designed to be inclusive and engaging, the activities encouraged participants to develop practical skills needed for biodiversity monitoring, deepen their understanding of environmental issues such as pollinator declines, and strengthen their motivation to protect nature by building a sense of connection to Protected Areas.

Beyond environmental education, the programme fostered valuable social connections. Participants not only made new friends locally but also built international ties, learning about each other’s countries, cultures, and languages. These exchanges enriched the experience, broadening horizons and inspiring continued collaboration across borders.

Partner organisations reported strengthened youth programmes and expanded professional networks, alongside the adoption of innovative educational methods. The project’s strong visibility in local communities further inspired reflection among young people and their families, helping to spread a culture of environmental responsibility.

Participating schools, particularly those connected with the Junior Ranger and Scout movements, benefited from additional extracurricular activities that attracted new students and strengthened community ties. Municipalities gained from the public attention surrounding environmental education, with hopes that some participants may pursue future careers in nature conservation as biologists, foresters, or park rangers.

Protected Areas near the project sites also played a key role, sharing their expertise with participants and expecting that some will one day return as employees or advocates for conservation. Educational workshops with Junior Rangers and scouts are set to continue, with the newly established Junior Ranger group in Krka National Park already planning future activities and seeking to welcome new members.

The project’s success has set a strong foundation for future initiatives dedicated to youth education and environmental stewardship—demonstrating that engaging young people in hands-on learning can inspire both local and global impact.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Good for Nature, Good for People

Ensuring tourism develops in a sustainable way, that is both good for people and nature, requires continous dialogue and assessement. Events like this Conference in Wallonia are an important part of this process. Apart from presentations, the conference also featured around ten exhibition stands within a “Market of Good Ideas”, creating a space for practical exchange and showcasing sustainable tourism initiatives from across Wallonia.

The event marked an important milestone in the ongoing dialogue between biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism development in Wallonia. It also reflected the growing engagement of Belgian Parks with the EUROPARC Federation and the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST).

A strong message resonated throughout the day:

Tourism and nature are not opposed, but complementary.

When properly managed, they can strengthen the attractiveness of territories, promote environmentally and socially responsible tourism, and contribute to financing nature restoration projects.

The morning session was attended by the Cabinets of Ministers Anne-Catherine Dalq and Valérie Lescrenier, who supported the alignment between biodiversity policy and tourism development.

EUROPARC–European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Representation

Paulo Castro, Chairman on EUROPARC’s Sustainable Tourism Working Group, represented the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) at the event. He presented the ECST framework and its role in supporting Protected Areas to design and implement long-term, participatory sustainable tourism strategies.

Paulo Castro presents the ECST. Picture credit: Federation of natural parks of Wallonia

The ECST: a Living, Growing Network

A particularly encouraging development is that four Belgian Protected Areas are currently preparing their applications to join the ECST network by the end of the year. This signals a dedicated commitment from Wallonia to embed sustainability principles within tourism planning and governance.

Eager to join a European Sustainable Tourism Event? Then join the next ECST Network meeting from 26 – 28 May in Stintino, Italy! 

The Four Parks Preparing for ECST

• Parc naturel des Deux Ourthes – Located in the Ardennes, this Park is characterised by forested valleys and river landscapes shaped by the Ourthe river system. It combines nature conservation with rural development and outdoor recreation management.

Picture Credit: Thomas Meunier

• Parc naturel Haute-Sûre Forêt d’Anlier – Known for its vast massif forest, the Park integrates biodiversity protection with sustainable forestry, water resource management, and soft mobility initiatives.
  

  Picture credit: Thomas Meunier

   

• Parc naturel des Hauts-Pays – Situated along the French border, this Park features bocage landscapes, wetlands, and cross-border ecological connectivity, with a strong focus on landscape preservation and local product valorisation.

Picture Credit: Thomas Meunier

• Parc naturel des Plaines de l’Escaut – Located in western Wallonia, this Park is defined by river plains, agricultural mosaics, and cross-border cooperation with France, integrating biodiversity conservation with cultural heritage and sustainable tourism development.The Park is already a registered EUROPARC Transboundary Park!

Picture Credit: Thomas Meunier

Their engagement with the ECST reflects a strategic step toward structured, long-term tourism governance aligned with conservation objectives.

Knowledge Sharing from Wallonia

Beyond the event itself, the Fédération des Parcs naturels de Wallonie has developed a range of publications and communication materials on sustainable tourism. These include thematic brochures and practical guidance resources.

Furthermore, the organisation has developed a series of practical brochures on sustainable tourism, presenting tools, methodologies and concrete examples from Wallonia’s natural parks. The publications highlight how biodiversity conservation can be integrated into tourism strategies through stakeholder cooperation, visitor management, and promotion of local products and soft mobility. These resources provide applied guidance that could be highly relevant for other Protected Areas.
The video section brings together firsthand testimonials and webinar recordings featuring park managers, local partners, and tourism professionals from Wallonia’s natural parks, and explore real experiences in implementing sustainable tourism practices on the ground

Read more about the resources development process in the special case study here.

The event further highlighted that several Walloon Natural Parks have already been structuring and implementing sustainable tourism projects for a number of years, demonstrating operational commitment alongside strategic ambition.

A Strategic Moment for Wallonia

The Namur event was more than a single-day gathering. It reflects a wider strategic momentum: Belgian Parks are actively positioning themselves within the European sustainable tourism framework, reinforcing biodiversity objectives while strengthening local economies.

In parallel, regional tourism authorities VisitWallonia and Tourisme Wallonie reaffirmed their ambition to position Wallonia as a leading destination for nature tourism, signaling stronger alignment between conservation governance and destination strategy. The discussions were further enriched by insights from Marc Dufrêne, professor at the University of Liège – Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, who reflected on the evolving relationship between nature and tourism and its future prospects, reinforcing the view that Natural Parks are key actors in the strategic development of territories and in the transition toward more sustainable tourism models.

With four parks preparing to join the ECST network and a strong institutional commitment from the Fédération des Parcs naturels de Wallonie, Wallonia is taking a decisive step forward in aligning tourism development with biodiversity conservation.

This evolving collaboration between Belgian Protected Areas and the ECST network underscores a shared European ambition: ensuring that tourism contributes positively to nature, communities, and regional resilience.

Learn more about the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas here.