Improving the conservation effectiveness of wetlands (WetMainAreas)

The overall objective of the project is the protection, conservation and development of wetlands, as a shared asset of the Balkan Mediterranean (BalkanMed) territory. BalkanMed wetland ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots with significant natural and cultural values and with high potential for territorial development and cooperation, including ecosystem based development, improvement of knowledge, know how exchange, and capacity to take informed decisions with a positive impact on the whole territory.

The project’s specific objectives are: (i) To assess BalkanMed wetland connectivity beyond the boundaries of protected areas and national borders, in order to improve knowledge on ecological connectivity and transnational ecosystems’ integration in the BalkanMed territory. (ii) To support policy and action plans by integrating scientific knowledge into guidance documents, available to everybody, and thus improve the capacity of authorities, spatial planners, and developers to take informed decisions and to cooperate towards ecosystem integration and sustainability.