AUTHORS: Marianne Kettunen – Peter Torkler (WWF Germany) – Matt Rayment – Sara Green – A.J. McConville – Hetty Menadue – Stephanie Newman – Jana Poláková – Evelyn Underwood

IEEP, together with WWF and ICF GHK, have supported the European Commission in its endeavours to ensure the integration of Natura 2000 into the 2014-2020 EU budget. The key outcome – an updated Financing Natura 2000 Guidance Handbook – is now published, with a view to informing national stakeholders about opportunities for financing the management of Natura 2000 sites.

Multiple opportunities are available from EU funds during the 2014-2020 period. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) will continue to be a key instrument for financing in rural areas. The scope of the European Marine and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) has been broadened beyond fisheries, opening up a number of opportunities for financing the management, restoration and monitoring of marine Natura 2000 sites. Dedicated support for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including Natura 2000, is also possible under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CP). These funds also support a range of activities on broader sustainable regional development, with possible indirect links to Natura 2000 management. Finally, LIFE will fund initiatives aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including support of the Natura 2000 network.