Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B EURO Mediterranean (EURO MED)Description
(EN)
Strategy for Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests (SSMMF)
(FR)
Organisations cooperating across borders for the Sustainable Management of the Mediterranean Forest ecosystem(EN)
Organisations cooperating across borders for the Sustainable Management of the Mediterranean Forest ecosystem(FR)
Geospatial tools for the evaluation of Mediterranean forests status, identification of impacts on forests and actions to protect, restore or manage them.
(FR)
Geospatial tools for the evaluation of Mediterranean forests status, identification of impacts on forests and actions to protect, restore or manage them.(EN)
Joint Development of action plans for forest sustainable management on test sites(EN)
Joint Development of action plans for forest sustainable management on test sites(FR)
A 10-year (2026-2035) Strategy of the Medforval network of HEV Mediterranean forests updated by transposing the knowledge generated in WP1 and WP2(FR)
A 10-year (2026-2035) Strategy of the Medforval network of HEV Mediterranean forests updated by transposing the knowledge generated in WP1 and WP2(EN)
Transboundary Plan for the management of Prespa/Ohrid Mediterranean Forests(EN)
Transboundary Plan for the management of Prespa/Ohrid Mediterranean Forests(FR)
Website: https://interreg-euro-med.eu/en/
Thematic information
Priority: (VI-B_EM_2) Greener MED
Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution
Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility
Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure
Partners (8)
Lead Partner: Universidad De Malaga
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999898311
Partner’s ID if not PIC: Q2918001E | ES1Q0000067 | - (FR), - (EN)
Department: European Topic Center for Analysis and Synthesis (ETC UMA)
Address: Avda. Cervantes, 29071 MÁLAGA, Spain
Department address: Arq. Fco. Peñalosa, Ed. In. ADA BYRON Ampl. Campus, 29010 MÁLAGA, Spain
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.uma.es
Total budget: EUR 558 657.50
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 446 926.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 111 731.50
Contractors:
-
Name: ANOUSKA KINAHAN
VAT registration or tax identification number: Y4905942X
- Univerzitet u Sarajevu - Šumarski fakultet
-
Name: Univerzitet u Sarajevu - Šumarski fakultet
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 995549995
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 200494560007 | BA120000016 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: Zagrebačka , 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.sfsa.unsa.ba
Total budget: EUR 162 000.20
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 129 600.16
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 32 400.04
- Јавна установа Национален парк Галичица
-
Name: Јавна установа Национален парк Галичица
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4020006144700 | MK120000003 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: Velestovski pat, 6000 Ohrid, North Macedonia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: http://www.galicica.org.mk
Total budget: EUR 183 294.70
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 146 635.76
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 36 658.94
- Μεσογειακό Αγρονομικό Ινστιτούτο Χανίων (CIHEAM-MAIX)
-
Name: Μεσογειακό Αγρονομικό Ινστιτούτο Χανίων (CIHEAM-MAIX)
Department: Geoinformation in Environmental Management
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999884925
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 090087459 | EL120000048 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: Makedonias , 73100 CHANIA, Greece
Department address: Makedonias, 73100 Chania, Greece
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.iamc.ciheam.org/
Total budget: EUR 278 621.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 222 896.80
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 55 724.20
- Association Internationale Forêts Méditerranéennes
-
Name: Association Internationale Forêts Méditerranéennes
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 41140434600016 | FR220000012 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: Rue Louis Astouin, 13002 MARSEILLE, France
Legal status: private
Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs
Website: http://www.aifm.org
Total budget: EUR 332 103.60
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 265 682.88
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 66 420.72
Contractors:
-
Name: Deloitte & Associés
VAT registration or tax identification number: FR025728041
-
Name: Deloitte & Associés
- Centre National de la Propriété Forestière
-
Name: Centre National de la Propriété Forestière
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 958532273
Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR75180092355 | FR120000020 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: rue de Chaillot , 75116 Paris, France
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: https://www.cnpf.fr
Total budget: EUR 211 639.30
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 169 311.44
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 42 327.86
- Istituto Oikos ETS
-
Name: Istituto Oikos ETS
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 932952791
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2503750123 | IT220000027 | - (FR), - (EN)
Address: Via Crescenzago, 20134 Milano, Italy
Legal status: public
Organisation type: SME
Website: http://www.istituto-oikos.org
Total budget: EUR 216 020.50
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 172 816.40
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 43 204.10
Contractors:
-
Name: Sirevi Italia S.r.l.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 07855160151
-
Name: Sirevi Italia S.r.l.
- Stručna služba za razvoj i međunarodne projekte Zeničko-dobojskog kantona
-
Name: Stručna služba za razvoj i međunarodne projekte Zeničko-dobojskog kantona
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936611437
Address: Kucukovici , 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Regional public authority
Website: http://www.zdk.ba
Partners map
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: StrategyMedFor
Project ID: Euro-MED0200314
Project start date: 2024-01-01
Project end date: 2026-09-30
Project status: ongoing
Relevant linked projects:
- Mediterranean BIodiversity Protection COmmunity (MBPC), Interreg-Med, 2019-2022 (FR), Mediterranean BIodiversity Protection COmmunity (MBPC), Interreg-Med, 2019-2022 (EN) | The Interreg-Med project MBPC’s main achievement is the creation of a wide network of stakeholders linked to biodiversity protection and management. Furthermore, MBPC’s lead partner ETC-UMA has designed and implemented the multi-functional Mediterranean Biodiversity Knowledge Platform where we will upload the deliverables of WP2 A2.2 and A2.3. It will be the first entry of forest data within the MBKP. This way, it is expected to amplify the results of the project by broadcasting the geospatial data and analysis of the StrategyMedFor for a broader audience and types of stakeholders. (EN), The Interreg-Med project MBPC’s main achievement is the creation of a wide network of stakeholders linked to biodiversity protection and management. Furthermore, MBPC’s lead partner ETC-UMA has designed and implemented the multi-functional Mediterranean Biodiversity Knowledge Platform where we will upload the deliverables of WP2 A2.2 and A2.3. It will be the first entry of forest data within the MBKP. This way, it is expected to amplify the results of the project by broadcasting the geospatial data and analysis of the StrategyMedFor for a broader audience and types of stakeholders. (FR), EnBic2Lab project (LIFEWatch ERIC funding 2019-2023)
- (https://enbic2lab.uma.es/)
- (FR), EnBic2Lab project (LIFEWatch ERIC funding 2019-2023)
- (https://enbic2lab.uma.es/)
- (EN) | EnBic2Lab addresses the Mediterranean forest ecosystem in all the Mediterranean ecoregion, including the European, North African and Middle East Asian regions. It focuses on exploring new technologies as satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to support the monitoring and mapping of Mediterranean forest types, as well as providing a spatial and multi-temporal context to support efficient forest management. In the frame of the project, several products were produced that will be used for the current Interreg EuroMed call: an improved land cover map, a novel map of Mediterranean forest types (both a 10 m resolution), a forest database with +120 000 records, an archive of +500 satellite images, a model and machine for mapping forests and a spectral library of Mediterranean forest types. In addition, a network of +50 forest experts in 16 countries of the basin was established.
- The data generated in EnBic2Lab will be used in WP1 (harmonized databases) and WP2 (maps).
- (FR), EnBic2Lab addresses the Mediterranean forest ecosystem in all the Mediterranean ecoregion, including the European, North African and Middle East Asian regions. It focuses on exploring new technologies as satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to support the monitoring and mapping of Mediterranean forest types, as well as providing a spatial and multi-temporal context to support efficient forest management. In the frame of the project, several products were produced that will be used for the current Interreg EuroMed call: an improved land cover map, a novel map of Mediterranean forest types (both a 10 m resolution), a forest database with +120 000 records, an archive of +500 satellite images, a model and machine for mapping forests and a spectral library of Mediterranean forest types. In addition, a network of +50 forest experts in 16 countries of the basin was established.
- The data generated in EnBic2Lab will be used in WP1 (harmonized databases) and WP2 (maps).
- (EN), Life BIORGEST project (European LIFE funding, 2018-2023)
- http://lifebiorgest.eu/fr/index/
- (FR), Life BIORGEST project (European LIFE funding, 2018-2023)
- http://lifebiorgest.eu/fr/index/
- (EN) | The Life BIORGEST project is being implemented in France, Occitania, and Spain, Catalonia, and seeks to develop new forest management tools to improve the biodiversity of Mediterranean forests. Indeed, sustainable forest management is a key tool to increase the resilience of forests to climate change. It also has a significant impact on the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
- This project has made it possible to harmonise the Potential Biodiversity Index (PBI) between France and Catalonia (the PBI can also be used in Italy). The PBI is a tool for forest managers to integrate ordinary taxonomic biodiversity into their day-to-day management. The dissemination of this tool in Euro-Mediterranean wooded areas will allow forest managers to assess the carrying capacity of a forest stand for living beings (plants, birds, insects, etc.). This diagnostic tool, which may enrich the knowledge of an area of community interest recognised as a habitat for specific species, will enable this type of area to be managed, through appropriatsilvicultural interventions, for the preservation and improvement of ordinary and specific biodiversity and for the resilience of this ecosystem.
- WP3 A3.3 foresees the extension of the IBP concept to the Eastern Mediterranean Forests (BiH, GR & MK) by adapting the methodology and protocols to the particularities of Balkan and Greek Forests.
- (FR), The Life BIORGEST project is being implemented in France, Occitania, and Spain, Catalonia, and seeks to develop new forest management tools to improve the biodiversity of Mediterranean forests. Indeed, sustainable forest management is a key tool to increase the resilience of forests to climate change. It also has a significant impact on the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
- This project has made it possible to harmonise the Potential Biodiversity Index (PBI) between France and Catalonia (the PBI can also be used in Italy). The PBI is a tool for forest managers to integrate ordinary taxonomic biodiversity into their day-to-day management. The dissemination of this tool in Euro-Mediterranean wooded areas will allow forest managers to assess the carrying capacity of a forest stand for living beings (plants, birds, insects, etc.). This diagnostic tool, which may enrich the knowledge of an area of community interest recognised as a habitat for specific species, will enable this type of area to be managed, through appropriatsilvicultural interventions, for the preservation and improvement of ordinary and specific biodiversity and for the resilience of this ecosystem.
- WP3 A3.3 foresees the extension of the IBP concept to the Eastern Mediterranean Forests (BiH, GR & MK) by adapting the methodology and protocols to the particularities of Balkan and Greek Forests. (EN), MEDFORVAL (private funding from the MAVA Foundation, 2015-2020)
- (www.medforval.org (FR), MEDFORVAL (private funding from the MAVA Foundation, 2015-2020)
- (www.medforval.org (EN) | The MEDFORVAL project aimed to bring together practitioners and decision-makers from different sectorsecological value, i.e. sites with exceptional biodiversity encompassing high concentrations of tree species, but also the multitude of other plants, animals and fungi that inhabit forest ecosystems and their associated genetic diversity. This project turned into a MEDFORVAL network that continues to this day but needs a common project to find a new dynamic. WP4 foresees an activity (A4.3) that will review the HEV concept and Medforval Strategy; and another activity (A4.4) to enlarge the Medforval network to one extra member: the Galicica N.P. of the Mediterranean on concrete measures to protect, manage or restore the ecological values of their respective sites, through networking. This project brought together 16 Mediterranean forest sites of high nature value.
- (EN), The MEDFORVAL project aimed to bring together practitioners and decision-makers from different sectorsecological value, i.e. sites with exceptional biodiversity encompassing high concentrations of tree species, but also the multitude of other plants, animals and fungi that inhabit forest ecosystems and their associated genetic diversity. This project turned into a MEDFORVAL network that continues to this day but needs a common project to find a new dynamic. WP4 foresees an activity (A4.3) that will review the HEV concept and Medforval Strategy; and another activity (A4.4) to enlarge the Medforval network to one extra member: the Galicica N.P. of the Mediterranean on concrete measures to protect, manage or restore the ecological values of their respective sites, through networking. This project brought together 16 Mediterranean forest sites of high
- (FR), EUFORGEN
- https://www.euforgen.org/
- (EN), EUFORGEN
- https://www.euforgen.org/
- (FR) | EUFORGEN is an international cooperation programme that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management. EUFORGEN carries out projects on research issues of pan-European forest genetic resources interest with a network of leading experts. The overall goal of EUFORGEN is to promote conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management, and to serve as a platform for pan‐European collaboration in this area.
- The knowledge generated in EUFORGEN will be evaluated in WP1 A1.1 and A1.2
- (EN), EUFORGEN is an international cooperation programme that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management. EUFORGEN carries out projects on research issues of pan-European forest genetic resources interest with a network of leading experts. The overall goal of EUFORGEN is to promote conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management, and to serve as a platform for pan‐European collaboration in this area.
- The knowledge generated in EUFORGEN will be evaluated in WP1 A1.1 and A1.2 (FR), LIFE JunEx, 2013-2017 (European LIFE funding, 2013-2017)
- (https://www.junex.gr/index.php/en/)
- (EN), LIFE JunEx, 2013-2017 (European LIFE funding, 2013-2017)
- (https://www.junex.gr/index.php/en/)
- (FR) | The Prespa area (Greece) hosts one of the largest areas of EU priority habitat “9562* Grecian Juniper Woods” in the Balkans (2,000 ha). The JunEx project aimed to improve, restore and promote Juniper woods through grazing as a management and forest protection measure. Specific project objectives were the improvement of the conservation status of the habitat in areas where it has been degraded, the restoration of the juniper woods by boosting regeneration rates (by natural or artificial means) and the increase of knowledge of stakeholders involved as wood managers or users. The project eventually led to an improvement of Juniper forest functions through the increase of plaProject GSR Model (Governmental Social Responsibility Model - An Innovative Approach of Quality in Governmental Operations and Outcomes) aimed to create conditions for development of “Sustainable Governmental Services”, capable to drive and coordinate Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth (SEE Cooperation Programme). This programme will be taken into account for the implementation of some restoration actions in BiH test case (WP3 A3.3)
- nt species, the enhancement of the natural forest regeneration, fostered by planting of juniper seedlings and selective logging of broadleaved species and the reduction of the wildfire risk through clearing and removal of biomass. The project activity A4.2 will capitalize on the results of the LIFE JunEx, embedding all the results and outputs in the technical recommendations on Pindus mountains forest protection, restoration and management delivered after validation during the workshop at the Galičica NP.
- (EN), The Prespa area (Greece) hosts one of the largest areas of EU priority habitat “9562* Grecian Juniper Woods” in the Balkans (2,000 ha). The JunEx project aimed to improve, restore and promote Juniper woods through grazing as a management and forest protection measure. Specific project objectives were the improvement of the conservation status of the habitat in areas where it has been degraded, the restoration of the juniper woods by boosting regeneration rates (by natural or artificial means) and the increase of knowledge of stakeholders involved as wood managers or users. The project eventually led to an improvement of Juniper forest functions through the increase of plant species, the enhancement of the natural forest regeneration, fostered by planting of juniper seedlings and selective logging of broadleaved species and the reduction of the wildfire risk through clearing and removal of biomass. The project activity A4.2 will capitalize on the results of the LIFE JunEx, embedding all the results and outputs in the technical recommendations on Pindus mountains forest protection, restoration and management delivered after validation during the workshop at the Galičica NP.
- (FR), SEE program (2007-2013) (EN), SEE program (2007-2013) (FR) | Project GSR Model (Governmental Social Responsibility Model - An Innovative Approach of Quality in Governmental Operations and Outcomes) aimed to create conditions for development of “Sustainable Governmental Services”, capable to drive and coordinate Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth (SEE Cooperation Programme). This programme will be taken into account for the implementation of some restoration actions in BiH test case (WP3 A3.3)
- (EN), Project GSR Model (Governmental Social Responsibility Model - An Innovative Approach of Quality in Governmental Operations and Outcomes) aimed to create conditions for development of “Sustainable Governmental Services”, capable to drive and coordinate Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth (SEE Cooperation Programme). This programme will be taken into account for the implementation of some restoration actions in BiH test case (WP3 A3.3)
- (FR), ADRION program (2014-2020)
- (EN), ADRION program (2014-2020)
- (FR) | The ADRIONET project (Adriatic-Ionian network of authentic villages) aims to form a transnational network of authentic villages in the Adriatic-Ionian area. This area has a significant number of small, authentic forestry environments, most oftenvironments, to facilitate the preservation and affirmation of their nature and culture through a different approach and with the use of innovative instruments, and to enable small, scattered villages to connect and thus increase their transnational visibility. This programme will be taken into account for the implementation of some restoration actions in BiH test case (WP3 A3.3)
- en located in extremely beautiful locations, valleys, mountain-hill, rural-peripheral or marginal areas, which are often neglected and exposed to the risk of depopulation and abandonment. ADRIONET should help to overcome the marginalization and insufficient valorization of such forestry (EN), The ADRIONET project (Adriatic-Ionian network of authentic villages) aims to form a transnational network of authentic villages in the Adriatic-Ionian area. This area has a significant number of small, authentic forestry environments, most oftenvironments, to facilitate the preservation and affirmation of their nature and culture through a different approach and with the use of innovative instruments, and to enable small, scattered villages to connect and thus increase their transnational visibility. This programme will be taken into account for the implementation of some restoration actions in BiH test case (WP3 A3.3)
- en located in extremely beautiful locations, valleys, mountain-hill, rural-peripheral or marginal areas, which are often neglected and exposed to the risk of depopulation and abandonment. ADRIONET should help to overcome the marginalization and insufficient valorization of such forestry (FR)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 942 336.80
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 553 869.44
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Deliverables:
- Strategy for the sustainable management of Mediterranean Forests (draft version)
- Strategy for the sustainable management of Mediterranean Forests
- Policy brief on the Strategy for the sustainable management of Mediterranean Forests
- Policy brief on the Strategy for the sustainable management of Mediterranean Forests (draft version)
- Public Report on Criteria and Indicators for every category of management.
- Public Report on Criteria and Indicators for every category of management (draft version)
- Public users’ guide for forest managers for each category of management.
- Public users’ guide for forest managers for each category of management (draft version)
- Technical report - Set of criteria to be converted into geodata (internal report)
- Technical report - Set of criteria to be converted into geodata (internal report)
- Carbon footprint monitoring plan
- Carbon footprint monitoring plan
- Carbon footprint reports
- Carbon footprint reports
- Communication protocol on exchanging information and processing the participation of stakeholders
- Communication protocol on exchanging information and processing the participation of stakeholders
- Analytics on participants, viewers and reach
- Analytics on participants, viewers and reach
- Report on feedbacks and reviews from partners, participants and users
- Report on feedbacks and reviews from partners, participants and users
- Implementation protocol with the local stakeholders and capacity building tools
- Implementation protocol with the local stakeholders and capacity building tools
- Project close-up documents, capitalization reports and knowledge platform
- Project close-up documents, capitalization reports and knowledge platform
- Data archive: raster, vector or georreferenced database
- Data archive: raster, vector or georreferenced database
- HEV and IBP maps
- HEV and IBP maps
- Impacts to Mediterranean forests map
- Impacts to Mediterranean forests map
- Climate scenarios
- Climate scenarios
- Map of forest spatial context (fragmentation, connectivity and marginality)
- Map of forest spatial context (fragmentation, connectivity and marginality
- Map of forest status and quality (vulnerable, HEV and degraded forests) (draft version)
- Map of forest status and quality (vulnerable, HEV and degraded forests)
- Priority areas map for protection, restoration, and management for resilience
- Priority areas map for protection, restoration, and management for resilience (draft version)
- Map of tree species migration routes and extinction risk
- Map of tree species migration routes and extinction risk
- Educational material for MOOC (WP4).
- Educational material for MOOC (WP4).
- Geodata layers and maps
- Geodata layers and maps
- Divulgative material for dissemination
- Divulgative material for dissemination
- Draft of 3 action plans on forests of pilot cases
- Draft of 3 action plans on forests of pilot cases
- 3 x action plans on protection, restoration and/or management at 3 pilot sites
- 3 x action plans on protection, restoration and/or management at 3 pilot sites
- SSMMF and criteria report (final version)
- SSMMF and criteria report (final version)
- Cartography (final version)
- Cartography (final version)
- Report of the ICE meeting
- Report of the ICE meeting
- IBP extension report
- IBP extension report
- Technical IBP documents
- Technical IBP documents
- IBP teaching kit for MOOC (5 videos, original language French)
- IBP teaching kit for MOOC (5 videos, original language French)
- MOOC on Med forests (video lessons, podcasts, training material, slides, self-evaluation tests)
- MOOC on Med forests (video lessons, podcasts, training material, slides, self-evaluation tests)
- Workshop report
- Workshop report
- Transboundary Plan outlining technical recommendations on Prespa/Ohrid Mediterranean forests
- Transboundary Plan outlining technical recommendations on Pindus mountains forest conservation
- Memorandum of Understading-MoU signed by relevant institutions/stakeholders in the Prespa/Ohrid area
- Memorandum of Understading-MoU signed by relevant institutions/stakeholders in the Prespa/Ohrid area
- Video recording of the seminar
- Video recording of the seminar.
- 16 assessment reports for each Medforval member site
- 16 assessment reports for each Medforval member site
- Medforval Strategy 2026-2035
- Medforval Strategy 2026-2035
- Workshop report
- Workshop report
- Agreement between the Medforval network and Galičica NP
- Agreement between the Medforval network and Galičica NP
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- EuropeanGreenDeal
- Forests and forest-based sector play a strong role in reaching the objectives of the EU Green Deal. In the Green Deal, preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity is in fact highlighted as one of the keys to transform the EU’s economy for a sustainable future. The EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, the New EU 2030 Forest Strategy and the New EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change are three flagship initiatives of the Green Deal that cooperate to achieve zero net CO2 emissions by 2050 and to decouple economic growth from resource use. The project will contribute to all of them, so please refer to the dedicated box for the description.
- EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region is one of the four EU macro-regional strategies, which covers ten countries, four EU Member States (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) and six non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia). Overall, the project will address one of the four thematic pillars where countries aim to create synergies and foster coordination in the Region, namely Pillar 3 (Environmental Quality), with specific reference to the Topic 2 (“Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity”). Among the specific actions foreseen with the framework of Pillar 3, the project will contribute to “developing joint management plans for cross-border habitats and ecosystems” in WP4, which will deliver technical recommendations on Pindus mountains forest management, with specific reference to the Ohrid/Prespa transboundary landscape (Greece, North Macedonia, Albania)
- Other The EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 and contains specific actions and commitments concerning forest landscape. Increasing the quantity of forests and improving their health and resilience is a key action of the Strategy (paragraph 2.2). In this regard, WP1 will deliver a Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests (SSMMF) and a set of indicators to improve the management of Mediterranean forests towards their protection, restoration and resilience. The SSMMF will also put emphasis on old-growth forests, which is underlined as fundamental to ensure biodiversity preservation by the Strategy. The Strategy stresses also the key role that foresters play in ensuring sustainable forest management and in restoring and sustaining biodiversity in forests (par 2.2.4). Besides the deliverables of WP1, foresters will benefit from the development of thematic forest maps on impacts, climate scenarios, fragmentation, connectivity and marginality of Med forests (WP2) to support their understanding of critical aspects of forest biodiversity protection. Most important, the project will test the application of the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP, in WP3), which already proved to help foresters in rapid assessments of the forest quality, in the Eastern EU and IPA countries, and will also deliver pedagogical tools (e.g. a dedicated MOOC) to increase the capacity of foresters in the use of the Index.
- Other The New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 contributes to the package of measures proposed to achieve GHG reductions of at least 55% by 2030 & climate neutrality in 2050 in the EU. The Strategy stems from the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy & commits to strictly protecting primary & old-growth forests (par. 3.1), restoring degraded forests (par. 3.2), & ensuring they are managed sustainably (par. 2). We will deliver strategies (WP1), tools (WP2 & WP3) & common understanding (WP4) that will support the improvement of forest resilience, highlighted in the Strategy as one of the main goals to be achieved through an increased protection & restoration of forest biodiversity & adoption of biodiversity-friendly forest management practices. The Strategy emphasizes the pivotal role of forest monitoring & data collection (par. 4), foreseeing a new legislative proposal on EU Forest Observation, Reporting & Data Collection to ensure a coordinated EU forest monitoring, data collection & reporting system, & the improvement of forest knowledge (par. 5). Both topics will be specifically addressed by the WP2, which will deliver thematic maps on impacts, climate scenarios, fragmentation, connectivity & marginality of Med forests. In addition, WP1 will deliver a Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Medit Forests (SSMMF), embedding the Strategic Framework on Medit Forests (2013) & the Medit Forest Research Agenda 2030, & a set of indicators to improve the management of Medit forests towards their protection, restoration & resilience, that overall will support the implementation of the Strategy, that specifically calls for ensuring forest restoration & reinforced sustainable forest management for climate adaptation & forest resilience (see par. 3.2). Particularly, we commit to implement (WP3) specific actions for the restoration & sustainable management of selected forests, including fire-smart actions & a carbon offset action of planting trees, all contributing to the reduction of GHG
- Other The New EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change sets out how the EU can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050.
- The Strategy has four principle objectives: to make adaptation smarter, swifter and more systemic, and to step up international action on adaptation to climate change. Both WP1 and WP2 will explicitly address the topic of adaptation. WP1 will deliver a Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests (SSMMF), which will contribute to the “systemic adaptation” (paragraph 2.2) of forest protection and management supporting policy development at all levels and sectors. On the other hand, WP2 will contribute to the “smarter adaptation” (par. 2.1) thanks to the delivery of a map on climate scenarios for forest highlighting corridors for elevational and latitudinal tree species shifts, which will improve knowledge on the CC-related impacts on forests and help foresters in managing uncertainty and develop adaptive forest management strategies.
- TerritorialAgenda2030 The Territorial Agenda 2030 is a strategic framework document that provides orientation for strategic spatial planning and calls for strengthening the territorial dimension of sector policies at all governance levels. It seeks to promote an inclusive and sustainable future for all places and help achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Europe. The project will directly address several actions that are called for on the topic of “sustainable development and climate change”. Territorial tailor-made responses to climate change impacts as well as
- mitigation and adaptation (art. 35) will be fostered in WP1 through the Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests (SSMMF), that will account for the ecological and socio-economic differences of Mediterranean forests across the basin, but also in WP3, which will adapt the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) to Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Macedonia.
- The Agenda also calls for action to halt loss of biodiversity and land consumption (art. 36) and sustainable and effective use of natural resources (art. 41), two themes that represent overarching project objectives.
- The project will also contribute to develop two Agenda priorities, namely the “Integration beyond borders” and the “A Green Europe”.
- WP1 and WP4 will be consistent with the former, which calls for the development of new strategic documents (e.g. the SSMMF) and the promotion of co-development, involving citizens across borders (art. 51), which fits the goals of the activity A4.2 (transboundary strategy for the Ohrid/Prespa forests developed with a participatory approach). The latter promotes the application of the most relevant EU policies and strategies such as the EU Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy (art. 53), please refer to the respective boxes for the description of how the project will contribute.
- Other
- Approximately 50% of the total area in Natura 2000 is represented by forests (around 21% of the total forest resource in the EU). The project activities will help Member states (and IPA countries) to comply with provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, that requires establishing the necessary conservation measures, on each site, which correspond to the ecological requirements of the protected habitat types (art. 6.1), take measures to avoid deterioration of the habitats (art. 6.2) and introduce an assessment procedure for plans or projects that are likely to have a significant negative impact on a Natura 2000 site (Art. 6.3 and 6.4). WP1 will deliver a set of indicators to evaluate needs and criticalities of Mediterranean forest, including management for protection of Mediterranean forests, biodiversity richness, genetic pool uniqueness, marginality of the population, that will help member states to undertake surveillance of the conservation status of the forest habitats of Community interest, as provided by the Art. 11, and adopt appropriate conservation measures. WP2 will support this latter action by providing the cartographic basis to identify at fine scale (10 m resolution) threats to forest conservation, such as fragmentation and isolation, with an outlook to CC-related future scenarios, helping the periodical update of the SAC’s standard Data Forms
- Other The “2030 GreenerMed” Agenda addresses key environmental issues in the Mediterranean that require cooperation across borders and sectors. The objectives of the Agenda are built on 3 three primary Axes of work, that is, (1) support the transition towards a green economy, (2) prevent and reduce pollution and (3) protect, preserve, manage and restore natural resources in the Mediterranean region within an integrated ecosystem approach. Among the 9 Key Actions of Axis 3, the project will contribute to KA3.2 “Promote the sustainable management of landscape, seascapes and coastal areas in the Mediterranean” and KA3.5 “Promote transboundary cooperation”. As for KA3.1, the WP1 will provide the basis for a sustainable management of Mediterranean forests thanks to the drafting of a targeted Strategy (SSMMF) and the definition of a set of guidelines, criteria and indicators towards Mediterranean forests protection, restoration and resilience. Several activities of WP1, WP3 and WP4 are aligned with KA3.2 and will actively engage stakeholders from partner countries (Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Bosnia Herzegovina, North Macedonia) and associated partner countries (Lebanon, Albania, Montenegro), through thematic exchanges of forest protection and management (e.g. A.1.1 SSMMF, A.4.2 International workshop on forest conservation of Ohrid/Prespa landscape, A.4.4 Capitalization of the project results to the wider Mediterranean region through the dissemination to the Medforval network).
- Other In December 2022, Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet (COP15) to determine the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, a global strategy for jointly safeguarding nature and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The framework must aim to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve recovery by 2050. The first draft, released in July 2021, foresees 4 long-term Goals and 21 Targets (grouped in 3 topics). The project's attention to forest connectivity and resilience in WP1 (indicators, strategy) and WP2 (connectivity map) will contribute to Goal A, which specifically aims at increasing the integrity of ecosystems. Sustainable use of natural resources (Goal B) will be addressed as the main overarching goal by the SSMMF developed in WP1. The project objectives and outcomes are also fully aligned to the achievement of the targets, including protection of HEV forest genetic resources (A1.1, A.1.2 > Target 4), forest restoration and connectivity (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A4.3 > Target 2, Target 3, Target 10), forest CC adaptation and resilience (A2.1, A4.3 > Target 8, Target 10), forest sustainable management (A1.1, A4.3 > Target 10), mainstreaming forest management into policies (A4.1, A4.2, A4.3 > Target 14), providing access to information on forests (A4.1 > Target 16), increasing relevant, high quality and innovative knowledge on forests (A2.2, A2.3 > Target 20) and effective participation in decision making on forests (A1.1, A4.2 > Target 21).
- Other Western Balkans Strategy
- In February 2018 the EU Commission adopted a strategy for “A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans”. The Strategy includes six flagship initiatives that the EU needs to take over the next years to support the transformation efforts of the Western Balkans (Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania) in areas of mutual interest. Initiative 1, targeted to strengthen the rule of law, focuses also to help Western Balkan countries in the application of EU rules and standards, including EU environmental laws. Exchanges with Greek PPs and APs (CIHEAM-MAICh, SPP) in the Prespa/Ohrid area in the framework of A4.2 will support the transposition of Natura 2000 Directives in North Macedonia and Albania, by assessing the feasibility of the application of site-specific conservation measures already enforced in neighbouring N2000 SACs (e.g. Ethnikos Drymos Prespon - GR1340010, Ori Varnounta - GR1340009, Koryfes Orous Grammos - GR1320002) to the technical recommendations for the whole Prespa/Ohrid transboundary area.
- Other The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 (UN GA Resolution “Agenda 2030”) as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are integrated, as they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. The overarching project framework fits into Goal 15 (“Life on land”) which aims to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss, which specific references to Target 15.2 (“promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of
- forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally”) and 15.b (“Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such
- management, including for conservation and reforestation”), but also 15.1 (“conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems”, including forests and mountains), 15.4 (“ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems, including biodiversity”), 15.5 (“Take urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt loss of biodiversity”), 15.9 (“integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning”). References are also to Goal 13 (“Climate action”), with the related Target 13.1 (“Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity”) and 13.3 (“Improve institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation”).
Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:
- Severna Makedonija (MK), Ohrid, Velestovski pat , bb, 6000
- Severna Makedonija (MK), Ohrid, Velestovski pat bb, 6000
- Severna Makedonija (MK), Ohrid, Velestovski pat bb, 6000
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
Programme Common Output Indicator:
-
RCO 001 - Enterprises supported (of which: micro, small, medium, large), Measurement unit:
-
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
Programme Common Result Indicator:
-
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
-
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:
Programme Result Indicator:
-
RCR90N Long-term cross-border innovation networks, Measurement unit: Number of networks
-
PSI1 - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: organisations
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR
EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:
EUSAIR Degree of compliance:
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B EURO Mediterranean (EURO MED)
Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme
2025-05-27
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
64 / 64 (100%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
608 / 608 (100%)
Notes on the data