A forward-looking step for European nature conservation: With a new project, BUND Thuringia, together with its Romanian partner ProPark, wants to transfer the success of the “Natura 2000 Manager” course, which has been running in Germany since 2021 and is unique to date, to the European level. The great demand for such a course is already evident in this country: the training programme, which is funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), fills a gap and has been very well received. The situation is similar in many EU countries where no comparable training exists yet. The innovative concept imparts practical specialist knowledge and strengthens skills for the professional management of European Natura 2000 sites.

Natura 2000 is the European Union's most important nature conservation instrument: a cross-border network of protected areas that preserves valuable species and habitats. However, there is still room for improvement in its implementation across Europe. This is where the project comes in. Together with ProPark, which already successfully trains nature conservationists in its own country, the German course concept is being further developed. Over the next 18 months, this will be turned into a modular training course, with the first modules already being tested.

In addition, the aim is to attract partners, create synergies and design a starter pack for EU accession countries. This will provide new Member States with concrete support in setting up a functioning Natura 2000 management system – from site notification and monitoring to management issues and bureaucratic requirements. Ideally, the project will contribute to the European Nature Academy (https://www.europeannatureacademy.com/).

“Strong European nature conservation requires highly trained specialists. With the new course concept, we are creating a common basis for the qualification of specialists in Natura 2000 management and taking a further step towards professionalizing nature conservation training – across national borders and with a view to the future of nature conservation in Europe,” says Sebastian König, State Director of BUND Thuringia.

“The development of a modular training concept that considers both national differences and common standards is an important step towards coherent and effective protection of the EU's biodiversity. That is why we are happy to bring our experience in protected area management to the European level together with strong partners,” said Erika Vaida-Bela, Director of Nature Conservation at ProPark.

“Biological diversity is one of the foundations of life - those who understand it know to protect it. The course concept, with digitized and virtually accessible habitat types, strengthens networking and cooperation between civil society organizations involved in nature conservation within the EU and thus the quality of Natura 2000 management,” says DBU Secretary General Alexander Bonde.

The project, which runs from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2027, is entitled “Concept development for a course on Natura 2000 management at European level and testing of test modules” and, like the previous ‘Natura 2000 Manager‘ course, is supported by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). The DBU funding for the current project amounts to €83,945. The total volume of the project is €167,860.

 

Natura 2000

In 1992, the European Union decided to establish a network of protected areas called “Natura 2000” to conserve endangered or typical habitats, animal species, and plant species. It consists of protected areas under the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive) and the Birds Directive. These directives form the basis of “Natura 2000”. Currently, approximately 18 percent of the EU's land area is designated as Natura 2000 sites. This makes it the largest cross-border, coordinated network of protected areas in the world. “Natura 2000” is a valuable foundation for the conservation of biological diversity in the EU.