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Föderation der Natur- und Nationalparke Europas (Föderation EUROPARC) e.V.

EUROPARC

The EUROPARC Federation, known as the "Federation of Nature and National Parks of Europe", was founded in 1973.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Andrea Vettori (Head of Unit Environment)

2 Dec 2025 · Exchange of views on topics of common interest

Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture, and creative sectors, values, and civil society

13 Nov 2025

EUROPARC Federation welcomes the continuation of the Erasmus+ programme in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). We strongly support investment in youth through the programme. Europe needs skilled people to tackle the three planetary crises, destruction of nature, climate change and pollution, that are already endangering the fundamentals of our society. We also need young people that are engaged in the society and can give their perspective to our societal challenges. EUROPARC Federation represents the people, institutions and organisations that comprise the largest protected area network in Europe. The people working in protected areas work daily to safeguard nature and secure its ongoing services for people. EUROPARC coordinates a Youth Programme that includes local young people in the management of protected areas, builds a sense of belonging and ownership, contributes to developing youth advocacy, develops youth skills, and promotes opportunities for youth in rural areas. We have over 400 members from 40 countries and our Youth Programmes include over 5000 children and 200 youth. We would like to give some specific observations based on our experience with current Erasmus+ programme. Implementation of these would improve the usefulness of the Erasmus+ programme 2028-2034 for our work with the youth. 1. There should budget for insurance within KA1 mobility events are organised. 2. There should be a specific budget added for the people travelling from an island because the first step of the way (ferry) excludes them from the green travel budget, but they will still travel on land once they reach land. 3. The applicants for projects should hear back early in the year so that the delay in approval of the project does not shorten the implementation time of the project. 4. OIDs should be verified before the project is accepted so that the verification does not cut into the implementation time of the project. 5. For European NGOs it is problematic to be eligible. E.g. EUROPARC is registered in Germany but has members in 40 countries but no legal representation in those countries. Organisations that we would work with have the same problem, they are registered in Germany but work in many countries. We cannot apply for a project with them as we are all registered in Germany but work internationally and might not have any facilities or local support in Germany. For European NGOs it would make sense if our membership base was taken into account and not the legal representation. 6. For European Solidarity Corps it would make a difference is a small budget for staff could be allowed. That would make a big difference e.g. for protected areas taking volunteers. 7. The rates should be fit for purpose and should have a mid-term check as prices can change a lot in seven years. It has happened that prices have been too low in comparison with current costs of living. 8. Erasmus volunteers (university students) who volunteer within an environmental NGO should receive additional budget as their NGOs dont have ability to support them compared to other sectors. 9. In KA1 mobility projects, allow a small budget for activities, e.g. an excursion to nature. 10. Costs of dissemination should include staff time as the dissemination activities can include time-intensive, non-receiptable work, e.g. building of a website. 11. We would welcome the United Kingdom to join Erasmus+ as Switzerland will do.
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Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness

12 Nov 2025

EUROPARC Federation welcomes the intend to make EU funding more accessible and easier to apply for through harmonised procedures. This is intended to be achieved through one fund instead of a package of theme-focused programmes. In principle, this could be a good development. However, there is a danger that well-working procedures in a focused funding programme are lost as well as the importance of ensuring funding for key priorities within the European Union. We are facing three planetary crises, destruction of nature, climate change and pollution, that are already endangering the fundamentals of our society. EU and its Member States have committed to achieving international and EU biodiversity targets that are expressed in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. In these policy commitments, the EU, its Member States and the global community recognise the urgency of actions to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. However, this urgency does not seem to be reflected in the EU MFF 2028-2034 nor in the proposal for regulation on the European Competitiveness Fund. One well-functioning, successful, and fundamental EU funding programme has been the LIFE Programme, and it continues to be an invaluable tool for nature conservation and biodiversity action. According to information received from CINEA, the LIFE Programme has operated for 33 years and has funded over 6000 projects. It has a sub-programme that is dedicated to nature and biodiversity. This sub-programme aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, supports Natura 2000 network and prioritised action frameworks, and aims to mainstream nature and biodiversity objectives into other policies and financing programmes. It supports the implementation of the key EU nature objectives: the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and Natura 2000 network associated with these directives as well as the EU Biodiversity Strategy. In the Multi-Annual Work Programme for 20252027, the new EU policies have been taken into account, such as the EU Pollinators Initiative and the Nature Restoration Regulation and thus actions to support the implementation of these EU policies can get funding from the LIFE Programme. As such, it is a crucial programme in the EU. EUROPARC Federation represents the people, institutions and organisations that are at the front lines of nature stewardship, being the largest protected area network in Europe and representing the conservation area managers, such as Natura 2000 site managers. These people, institutions and organisations must be appropriately rewarded for conserving and restoring nature which is a strategic economic asset and foundation for the European Union. Protected Areas have clear administration and management, they have dedicated and skilful staff, and they need resources to do their invaluable work for society. In the Article 4 of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, it is stated that Member States should prioritise Natura 2000 sites for restoration measures until 2030. For these reasons, continued EU funding for nature conservation and restoration should be an elemental part of the proposed European Competitiveness Fund. If the LIFE Programme does not continue, nature conservation and restoration, implementation of Natura 2000 network, maintenance of natures contributions to people, protection of threatened species and habitats, as well as functioning of those organisations and institutions managing these are facing serious problems as the LIFE funding is crucial for these actions. At the very least, there needs to be earmarked funding for nature conservation and restoration and biodiversity action in the Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation window of the ECF. The ambition and value of this funding should not be lower than the current LIFE funding.
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Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for competitiveness

7 Nov 2025

EUROPARC Federation welcomes the continuation of the Horizon Europe Programme in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). We strongly support the use of scientific evidence as a basis for policy- making and decision-making and thus are very much in favour of a programme for research and innovation. Research and innovation are indeed needed if we as humankind expect to tackle the three planetary crises, loss of nature, climate change and pollution, that are already endangering the fundamentals of our society. The urgency for action is expressed in the international and EU biodiversity targets agreed in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Unfortunately, it seems that this urgency is not reflected in the EU MFF 2028-2034 nor in the proposal for regulation on the Horizon Europe Programme. EUROPARC Federation represents the people, institutions and organisations that comprise the largest protected area network in Europe. The people working in protected areas work daily to safeguard nature and secure its ongoing services for people. This is often done by employing nature-based solutions that can also help to mitigate climate change. More research and innovation need to be done to mainstream nature-based solutions into the toolbox of land use planners and urban developers. Here protected areas can act as laboratories for the societal challenges that need to be tackled. More financing of research and innovation for nature-based solutions is needed and should be in the core of Horizon Europe. Nature is a strategic economic asset and foundation for the European Union, and it needs to be in the core of research and innovation actions. The European Union faces a big challenge of nature restoration in coming years as nature has been destroyed and not enough of nature has been protected in the EU earlier. Thus, we now face the challenge of large-scale nature restoration. The coming into force of the Nature Restoration Regulation is a remarkable opportunity for the EU and its Member States. Research and innovation are needed to tackle this challenge together. The financing of nature restoration and new innovative financial mechanisms for nature need more research and innovation and should be part of Horizon Europe Programme. In the Article 4 of the Nature Restoration Regulation, it is stated that Member States should prioritise Natura 2000 sites for restoration measures until 2030. For this reason, protected areas are at the heart of development of financial mechanisms for nature restoration. Protected areas are also excellent laboratories to investigate how innovative financial mechanisms could work. They have clear administration and management, they have dedicated and skilful staff, and they need resources to do their invaluable work for society. EUROPARC welcomes the continued support for research and innovation by the European Commission to which the proposal for regulation on the Horizon Europe Programme is a testament. However, EUROPARC would want there to be a clear focus on nature conservation and restoration, nature-based solutions and climate change action in the proposal.
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Response to Roadmap towards Nature Credits

25 Sept 2025

EUROPARC Federation acknowledges the work of the European Commission towards achieving the international and EU biodiversity targets agreed in the Kunming-Montral Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The Roadmap towards Nature Credits contributes towards that work as there needs to be committed action taken to bridge the biodiversity financing gap between what is on the table and what is needed for financing biodiversity action. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as nature credits, are welcome as complementary to public funding. However, they should not lead to diminishing public funding for nature conservation and biodiversity. Instead, they should act as inspirational tools for private sector and financial institutions to get involved in safeguarding nature and securing its ongoing services for people. EUROPARC Federation represents the people, institutions and organisations that are at the front lines of nature stewardship, being the largest protected area network in Europe and representing the conservation area managers that are mentioned in the document. As the document points out, these people, institutions and organisations must be appropriately rewarded for conserving and restoring nature which is a strategic economic asset and foundation for the European Union. In the Article 4 of the Nature Restoration Regulation, it is stated that Member States should prioritise Natura 2000 sites for restoration measures until 2030. For this reason, protected areas are at the heart of development of financial mechanisms for nature restoration. Protected areas are also excellent laboratories to investigate how innovative financial mechanisms could work. They have clear administration and management, they have dedicated and skilful staff, and they need resources to do their invaluable work for society. EUROPARC welcomes the acknowledged need to ensure that the whole nature credit scheme is credible and that it adheres to science-based principles and criteria and ensures transparency in its different aspects. EUROPARC encourages the use of already gained experiences in the EU Member States as well as outside of the EU in order to adapt the EU's own take on nature credits based on the best available information. EUROPARC welcomes the suggested actions in 2025-2027.
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Response to Nature Restoration Law - Method for monitoring pollinator diversity and pollinator populations (delegated act)

17 Jul 2025

EUROPARC Federation supports the European Commission proposal as it will implement an important target in Article 10 of the Nature Restoration Regulation, to reverse the decline of wild pollinators by 2030. We ask for the full implementation of the proposal and in a timely manner in order to keep the implementation of the very important Nature Restoration Regulation on track. The importance of pollinators is well-known as they provide some of the most essential ecosystem services in Europe. Pollinators have declined in a very alarming manner, and it is important to take steps to reverse this trend. EUROPARC Federation is committed to pollinator conservation work through its network of Protected Areas members that support pollinator species by maintaining their natural habitats. In order to maintain the pollinator species, it is important that they are monitored using a well-proven scientific method. By implementing the monitoring method of the Delegated Act, it would be possible to collect data on pollinator species in order to assess trends in pollinator populations and also get information how restoration actions are working. It is important that this monitoring is done in a standardised way. It is also important that the method is cost-effective in order to be used. EUROPARC Federation reiterates its support for this proposal by the European Commission.
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Meeting with Giuseppe Antoci (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Nov 2024 · Discussione sviluppo sostenibile e turismo sostenibile. Obiettivi europei Green Deal.

Meeting with Saskia Bricmont (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Dec 2022 · Echanges au sujet de la politique interrégionale de protection de la nature

Response to Interim evaluation of EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027

21 Oct 2022

EUROPARC is the largest network of Protected Areas (PAs) across Europe and coordinates a Youth Programme that includes local young people in the management of PAs, builds a sense of belonging and ownership, contributes to developing youth advocacy, develops youth skills, and promotes opportunities for youth in rural areas. We have over 400 members from 36 countries and our Youth Programmes include over 5000 children and 200 youth. EUROPARC believes the overall objectives and guiding principles of the EU Youth Strategy are ambitious and important, but there is still much to be asked for in their implementation. Working on implementation within and across sectors The EU Youth Goals is an excellent initiative to have youth voices heard, however, there could be more communication and integration, especially within the environmental and rural sector. Decisions regarding our environment have a disproportionately large impact on young people and future generations, impacting all aspects of their lives. There are many policies by the EU where a better integration of the EU Youth Goals could have an overwhelmingly positive impact for rural youth and PAs: the new strategy on sustainable tourism, rural development plans, the CAP, NextGenerationEU, etc. Many of them don’t acknowledge youth as partners and make no mention of funding for the non-formal education sector, for youth-led initiatives, or for youth-inclusion into decision-making, all of which were specific targets of the EU Youth Strategy. Another example is the EU Nature Restoration Law. Despite young people having organised, consulted and drafted a youth position paper, there was no recognition or inclusion of this from the EU Commission. This law could be an opportunity for young people to be “architects of their own lives”. EUROPARC can envision a future where young people in rural areas are actively included in contributing to nature restoration through youth-accessible microgrants as well as employment opportunities for young professionals in rural areas. However, without clear inclusion at the EU level, youth inclusion will be sporadic across MS. The newly appointed EU Youth Coordinator needs to ensure that meaningful youth engagement is implemented throughout the EU Commission’s work as a model for MS. Core Area: Engage More effort is needed for the EU Youth Strategy to trickle down to local decision-makers, especially in rural areas. These decision-makers need clear guidance and incentives. This is where young people feel they have the ability to engage with decision-makers and if they do not trust and support youth, then they contribute to youth alienation. The EUROPARC Youth manifesto for change in rural communities and PAs resulted from youth consultations with young people in rural areas engaged in PAs. It includes a call for action for young people, PA staff and local municipalities to work together to build a more youth-inclusive community in rural areas. Barriers to its implementation include a lack of prioritisation of youth needs, a lack of human resources especially in PA staff, and a lack of political will. Core Area: Connect The European Year of Youth increased the opportunities for young people to act and share their voices. In many cases these were not accessible to all youth as the onsite participation often didn’t provide funding for travel and accommodation, especially for rural youth and those from Eastern Europe. Some countries (e.g. France and Austria) made youth-accessible microgrants available for youth-led projects which were successful. Core Area: Empower More can be done to encourage the environmental sector to invest in human resources for youth work. E.g. a monitoring tool for the contributions of youth projects to environmental goals such as NDCs to the UNFCCC or NBSAPs for the CBD which can provide numerical data to encourage funders to contribute to youth work and dedicated youth workers.
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Meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner) and

18 Jun 2020 · To discuss EU Biodiversity strategy, and in particular the strategy’s protected area targets, as well as the issues related to the management effectiveness of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites across Europe.

Response to Farm to Fork Strategy

10 Mar 2020

EUROPARC is the largest European Protected Areas network (40% of the N2000). Our members (national and regional parks and marine) work on biodiversity and on sustainable use of nature (agriculture, fishery, health…). Thus EUROPARC advocates that Natura 2000 sites and all national and regional Protected Areas are recognised as: - Key actors to implement EU policies and EU Green Deal in the field; - Key beneficiaries of EU policy programs and actions. F2F is important for us because Protected Areas and N2000: Provide the health environment for the production of health food; Link farming and biodiversity conservation creating and supporting win-win situations; Connect producers and consumers increasing mutual knowledge between farmers and clients, and growing public awareness on responsible consumption In summary, for us F2F has to highlight: 1.the link between agriculture and biodiversity, as they have a co-beneficial relationship; 2.that agriculture in Protected Areas can be a good indicator of sustainable agriculture and health food production, and also contributes to rural development; 3.that periurban parks can have a key role for food sovereignty and sustainability in the city. In details: - Protected areas and Natura2000 are laboratories for experimentation on sustainability because they manage everyday with biodiversity and economic activities inside and nearby its borders. It is important to mention Protected Areas and Nature2000 role in the F2F. - Agriculture and biodiversity are very closely linked and co-beneficial. Agriculture in Protected Areas has an importance not only for public consumption but also for the landscape management, agro-biodiversity and many other aspects frequently ignore by the consumers. Sustainable farming activity inside and at the border of Protected Areas and N2000 has to be supported. - Farmers in Protected Areas have to be recognized and awarded for their contribution on nature conservation and restoration through sustainable practices. All policies have to push them in that direction, with a strong legal framework but also voluntary measures, and to compensate and awarded them. - In many Protected Areas, especially in Mediterranean, farming is managed in extensive way: it’s not always high profitable but it is fundamental for some habitat and species preservation, for contrasting rural abandonment, preventing fires hazard and for landscape. The F2F has to collaborate with the CAP policy in order to support and recognize this fundamental aspect in specific European ecoregions. - It is essential to highlight the role of food production in Protected Areas for rural development, that helps to create dynamism locally, avoid depopulation, preserve traditional culture, and helps to shorten the food chain by promoting local production/consumption. - Periurban parks must necessarily be taken into account. They promote biodiversity, are green infrastructures around the urban environment, are the lungs of big cities, and in many cases they contribute to shorten the global food value chain and to the food sovereignty of the city. - The coherence with the other UE policies(Biodiversity Str., CAP, Climate) is necessary to have an integrate strategy and cross-section approach. - All stakeholders has to be included in an inclusive progress. Our Protected Areas promote good partnership through dialogue involving all stakeholders and we truly believe that this is the key for success. - Actions against the lack of knowledge are very important. Transparency about production and better knowledge and empowerment among consumers will push farmers to change their mind set, and to look for a niche market able to recognize their positive impact on Protected Areas and N2000 landscape. - In order to reach the objectives of the F2F strategy, it could be important to have a clear and agreed definition of sustainability. Link: www.europarc.org/knowlege-hub/sustainable-agriculture/
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Response to EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy

20 Jan 2020

In the framework of the new European Green Deal, EUROPARC Federation welcomes the initiative and advocates that, not only Natura 2000 sites, but that ALL NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS ARE RECOGNIZED AS 1) KEY ACTORS TO IMPLEMENT EU POLICIES ON THE FIELD and 2) KEY BENEFICIARIES OF EU POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIONS. More specifically, the Biodiversity Strategy and the Actions Plan should take into consideration PROTECTED AREAS (PAs) in the following points: •To delivery of the objectives of the EUROPEAN BIRDS AND HABITATS DIRECTIVES, the National, Regional and Periurban Parks, and the Marine Protected Areas offer an essential and indispensable contribution to the Natura 2000 network. •Europe needs HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS, who offer multiple benefits to human society by delivering essential environmental services, including food, water and air, as well as direct benefits for human health, recreation and tourism. The mission of PAs is to maintain healthy ecosystems, fighting against habitats loss, species extinctions, erosion and desertification. •Physical and mental HUMAN HEALTH are improved and health inequalities can be addressed, using green exercise and contact with nature through outdoor sports and recreation. PAs contribute to individual and community health and well-being creating and increasing opportunities for outdoor activities. •Protected Areas are vital places to tackle CLIMATE CHANGE: by protecting ecosystems, they provide natural solutions for mitigation and adaptation approaches. To address climate challenges faced by European landscapes and biodiversity, PAs promote habitats conservation and restoration, ensuring better resilience of ecosystems, and raising capacity of managers to improve adaptation measures and planning. •Europe needs sustainable ECONOMY. Protected Areas are significant laboratories to promote a more socially inclusive, environmentally healthier and economically viable model for society. They value nature as an essential asset for green and sustainable economy. •RURAL AREAS have to deal with fragmented landscape, rural abandonment, increasing pressure from competing land use demands, challenging conditions for food production, climate change, loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. Protected Areas prevent current rural abandonment, promote communities involvement and support green jobs. They create sustainable tourism destinations, encourage sustainable agricultural practices and partnerships between farmers and protected areas management. The new Strategy, together with the new CAP, should underline and support sustainable rural development and the role of PAs. •The new Strategy should involve the PRIVATE SECTOR and businesses to create indispensable alliances for the sustainable use of natural resources. European Protected Areas work in partnership with local enterprises and the new Strategy should use, support and valorise their experience and their specific methodologies of partnership to implement dialogue and collaboration with land owners, farmers and the tourism sector. •YOUNG PEOPLE play an important role in looking after our nature and Protected Areas and are the decision-makers of tomorrow. It is vital that young people get involved in the governance of nature heritage, so they can share their perspectives, and that they can develop the skills to manage resilient parks and build sustainable communities. EUROPARC also ask for a stakeholder consultation of the draft before the final Strategy publication. EUROPARC policy papers: bit.ly/EUfut; bit.ly/Periurb; bit.ly/Youth_Manf; bit.ly/PAs_agri Thanks for your attention. Best regards. Stefania Petrosillo EUROPARC Policy Officer (EUROPARC is the largest European network of Natural Protected Areas: National, Regional and Periurban Parks, Marine Areas, Biosphere Reserves, and Natura 2000 sites. Website: www.europarc.org)
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Meeting with Karmenu Vella (Commissioner) and

3 Nov 2016 · Natura 2000