Project overall objective

The overall objective of the project is improved biodiversity protection - especially the long-term survival of threatened European species and habitats - through the implementation of Emerald sites in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

Project specific objectives

Specifically, the project aims at achieving a full operational launch of the Pan-European Emerald network of nature protection sites of the Bern Convention by 2020, thereby (i) supporting the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its Aichi Targets on protected areas by the ENP East countries and Russia, (ii) aligning nature protection standards in this region with the standards of EU (and its Natura 2000 Network) and the Bern Convention and (iii) helping the target countries prepare for the future management of these areas.

By contributing to the achievement of the commitments by the target countries towards the Aichi Target 11 on protected areas, the project represents a regional initiative supporting the implementation of the world most important targets in the field of biodiversity conservation. For more detailed information on the project objectives and activities, please consult the full project description here.