PA 6: Biodiversity, Landscapes, Air and Soils

The Project shall continue to support the implementation of Priority Area 06 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, adapted to current needs and challenges ahead. PA 06 consists of Priority Area Coordinators, Steering Group and Task Forces. The chairs of the Task Forces are observers to the Steering Group and participate in the Steering Group meeting. Beside the content-oriented work, the connection to the policy level shall be strengthened. At the point of time when applying for the project, the EU is in its early years of implementation of the EU Green Deal and released new EU Biodiversity Strategy, both giving strong momentum to the PA 6 objectives, which shall be exploited to the best extent. The expected change from the implementation of this project is an improved coordination and implementation of the Strategy in PA 06. Generally, the project for PA 06 for the period 2023-2028 is based on the Action Plan, the PA 06 Road Map, the knowledge, experiences and results of the ongoing work of the Task Forces in the framework of PA 06. Specifically, it aims at sound management procedures for implementing PA 06 objectives, thus support the PACs work to coordinate and manage the implementation process, including cooperation with relevant EUSDR actors, other PA's and the Steering Group. Furthermore, it shall contribute to facilitate effective work of stakeholders connected to PA 06 issues, raise awareness of the policy level and the wider public accordingly and gain in-depth knowledge on specific topics. Overall, the project shall contribute particularly to systematically network various stakeholders in the Danube Region with the policy level in the EUSDR states.

Introduction The initial phases of reporting periodes within the Interreg project PA6 Nature primarily focused on launching the project formally. This worked out however smoothly, as the longstanding cooperation spanning over a decade between the two project partners facilitated swift coordination, rendering the process highly efficient. Content-wise, the progression included a series of online Steering Group Meetings, each delving into specific topics covered by the PA6 Task Forces. Notably, the 19th Steering Group Meeting served as a follow-up session regarding the Danube Sturgeon Task Force. Here, the members of the Steering Group were approached for their support of a Danube-wide sturgeon monitoring system. Subsequently, the 20th SGM convened physically, centering its discussions on internal and external governance mechanisms. The aim was to bridge existing gaps between operational implementation and policy levels effectively. Moreover, PAC6 actively engaged in various online sessions with partner organizations, Task Forces, and other relevant PAs. These interactions facilitated a deeper exploration of intersecting themes such as the transition towards green transportation, conservation of migratory fish species, and enhancement of ecological connectivity. Such engagements underscored the collaborative efforts aimed at fostering sustainable practices across diverse environmental domains. Details During reporting periods 1 and 2, activities related to SO 1 included the organisation of the 18th, 19th and 20th Steering Group (SG) meetings and other related meetings. Within project activity 1.1, three SG meetings were organised, in April and July in virtual format and one physical meeting in November with hybrid participation. All SG meetings contributed significantly to the progress of the PA6 work. The first two meetings were dedicated to the work of the PA6 Task Forces (TF), specifically to the topics of the TFs dealing with Invasive Alien Species (DIAS TF) and Sturgeon Conservation (DSTF). For both, SG members were involved in expert discussions and called upon for support in taking up the issues at a political level. The 20th SG meeting was focussed on the understanding of the roles of key actors within the PA6 SG. Within Activity 2.1, StMUV LP1 attended the PAC meeting in March 2023 in Maribor, SI and the NC PAC meeting in September 2023 in Portorož, SI. Through the facilitation of the Steering Group meetings and the participation in the NC PAC meetings, the project contributed to the synergy of the actors involved and enabled a clear identification of the obstacles and challenges related to the implementation of the Action Plans and EUDSR on the ground. In the NC PAC Meeting in Portoroz, PAC6 addressed the issue of the need for an improved uptake of roles of the different actors in the Governance scheme of EUSDR, which was taken up by the incoming Austrian PRES. Further (Online):.Meetings with PAC6 attendance: EUSDR/DSP-Meetings: EUSDR Governance Development Task Force (20.11.2023) Seed Money Facility Seminar (07.12.2023) PAC-6 Meetings on 06.02., 19.04., 23.08. and 27.10.2023 DG Mare on EU Missions Meetings: 27.03. and 03.11.2023 ICPDR: RBM 27.04. and Ordinary Meeting 13.12.2023 Meeting with PAC1a (29.3.) and SG Meeting with PA4 (24.05.) and PA5 (27.06.23) Meetings with TF Danubeparks (06.07. and 07.09.23) and with TF Masterplan (10.10.23) During the reporting period, activities were related to the contribution of SO 1, as well as organization, implementation and participation in the 21st Steering Group (SG) meeting and other related meetings. Within Project Activity 1.1. during the 3rd period, one SG meeting was organized and was held on April 11, 2024, in a virtual format with 22 participants. This meeting was dedicated to presentation results from the PA 6 Survey on national priorities, and there was also discussion about Danube Strategy Flagships for 2024. On this meeting Task Forces gave a short update on state of play and their plans. As part of Activity 1.2, MESD (MZOZT) PP2 finished the public procurement process for Financial and Project Management which process started in 2023. The contract for Financial and Project Management was signed with the selected bidder in February 2024. Within Project Activity 2.3., the General Assembly of the Danube Sturgeon Task Force (DSTF) was implemented on 23.-24. January 2024 at the premises of the LP, the StMUV in Munich, Germany. LP StMUV is part of the DSTF ExCom and organised the event at its own location. The catering, as well as travel and accommodation costs for participants are the main costs reported in this reporting period. Within Activity 2.1, StMUV LP1 and MESD (MZOZT) PP2 attended the NC PAC meeting in January 2024 in Vienna. In the same Activity, StMUV LP1 attended the 13th Annual Forum in June 2024, also in Vienna. Further (Online):.Meetings with PAC6 attendance: EUSDR/DSP-Meetings: Seed Money Facility Seminar (19.04.2024) PAC-6 Meeting on 10.04.2024 ICPDR: RBM 26.04. and Ordinary Meeting 25.06.2024 Carpathian Convention: 15th Meeting of Working Group Biodiversity (18.06.2024) Meetings with TF Air Quality (23.05.2024) DSTF ExCom Meetings (09.01., 16.02., 04.03., 04.04., 08.05. and 07.06.2024) Further activities included the processing and evaluation of the application of the Seed Money Facility Call of the Danube Region Programme. Furthermore, the nomination of new EUSDR Flagship from PA6 was processed successfully, and resulted in the awarding of the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, which marks the shift from a former transnational project (funded by the Interreg B DRP) and PA6 Task Force towards a global scale framework, possibly for the first time ever. Through the facilitation of the Steering Group meetings and the participation in the NC PAC meetings, the project contributed to the synergy of the actors involved and enabled a clear identification of the obstacles and challenges related to the implementation of the Action Plans and EUDSR on the ground. During the reporting period, activities were related to the contribution of SO 1 and SO2, including the organization, implementation and participation in the 22st Steering Group (SG) meeting and other related meetings. Within Project Activity 1.1. during the 4th period, one SG meeting was organized and was held on 24. September 2024 in Tulln, Austria. The meeting was embedded in the framework of the 31st Conference of the Working Group Sustainability / Soil Protection. The main topic of the SGM was PA 6 and its potential contribution to the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. The Nature Restoration Regulation is a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, especially those with the most potential to capture and store carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters. On the 22nd SG Meeting it was discussed about the role of PA 6 and its Steering Group in implementing NRL, orienting on defining key priorities for biodiversity restoration, challenges and opportunities in identifying restoration priorities, etc. The results of the SG meeting were additionally presented in the Conference on Soil protection. Additionally, under the Activity 1.2., the meeting with PAC partners was held before the September SG meeting, on August 21 2024, in online format. The topics of the meeting were the preparation for the 22nd SG in Tulln, Austria, and defining tasks that need to be done in order to organize 22nd SG Meeting. Within Project Activity 2.3., the General Assembly of the Danube Sturgeon Task Force (DSTF) was implemented on 21.-22. November 2024 at the premises of the BOKU University in Vienna, Austria. LP StMUV is part of the DSTF ExCom and co-organised the event. The evening dinner, as well as travel and accommodation costs for participants are the main costs reported in this reporting period. Within Activity 2.1, StMUV LP1 attended the NC PAC meeting in December 2024 in Vienna. Under Activity 2.5, PAC 6 are in the process of final preparations of the procurement for developing key messages for EUSDR PA6 (D 2.5.1), and the procurement will be carried out in period 5. Following the survey conducted amongst the Task forces, the scope of this activity will focus on Designing key communication messages of Priority Area 6 across all the targets and fields of work. Further (Online) Meetings with PAC6 attendance: EUSDR PAC Meeting (11.-12.09.2024, online participation) EUSDR Embedding meeting (12.11.2024, online participation) ICPDR: RBM 16.10.2024 (online participation) PAC6 Meeting (21.08.2024, 02.09.2024, 04.11.2024, online) DSTF ExCom Meetings (01.07., 10.09., 08.10., 24.10. and 18.11.2024, online) Under Specific Objective 1, within Activity 1.2, three PAC partner meetings (conducted on 28. February, 6 March and 16 April 2025) were organized in an online format. These meetings were part of the preparatory activities for the organization of the Task Force Chairs meeting and the upcoming 23rd Steering Group Meeting. Within Specific Objective 2, under Activity 2.1, the EUSDR Priority Area Coordinators Meeting took place on 26–27 February 2025 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an option for online participation. LP1 and PP1 attended actively online. On the first day, the agenda included an update on the BiH EUSDR Presidency programme, upcoming meetings and initiatives planned for 2025, news from the European Commission, and the first part of the exchange among EUSDR Priority Area Coordinators, focusing on governance development. Open discussions also addressed cross-Priority Area cooperation and the support provided by the Danube Strategy Point to PACs, especially in this area. On the second day, the focus was on EUSDR-related funding, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, strategies to increase engagement of Steering Group members in Priority Areas, and a new support initiative aimed at ensuring national representation in the Steering Group, which sparked some controversy among the PACs. Within Activity 2.3, one PA6 meeting of the Task Force Chairs was organized and held on 16 April 2025 in online format. The meeting focused on several key topics, specifically on the status of implementation in the Task Forces, planned activities particularly those related to policy alignment increasing the involvement of Steering Group members in the Task Force work. Further more organizational topics included the provision of updated Task Force membership lists, annual reporting requirements, and the potential appointment of Communication Focal Points. The meeting also served as preparation for the upcoming PA6 Steering Group Meeting. Under the Activity 2.5, the PP implemented the process of the public procurement for developing key messages for EUSDR PA6 (D 2.5.1) that concluded in June 2025. Following the survey conducted amongst the Task forces, the scope of this activity will focus on Designing key communication messages of Priority Area 6 across all the targets of PA 6 work. The kick-off meeting with the external expert selected in the public procurement process for this activity was held on June 30 2025. Key event on side of the PA6 Task Forces was the General Assembly of the Danube Sturgeon Task Force, which took place on 26. March 2025 as an online conference. In the General Assembly, the DSTF Executive Committee reported on the latest developments within the DSTF. DSTF Members gave an overview on related projects and upcoming activities. LP1 actively participated online at the 16th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity (13. May) and at the 23rd Standing Working Group Meeting of the ICPDR (17. June 2025). In both meetings, LP1 provided an information on latest EUSDR PA6 developments. Further meetings with LP1 participation: 19. February and 14 June: EUSDR Task Force on Governance 02. June and 25. June: Preparatory meeting for the MRS and SBS days in Brussels 03. June: Participation at the PA4 Steering Group Meeting