H LIFE makes a difference: Nature ex-post exercise 2018: Summary report
HOUSTON John, VELGHE Darline
2018 52p. To revisit a LIFE project five to ten years after its completion allows the Commission to assess whether it has led to lasting improvements in the conservation status of habitats and species. This is called ex-post monitoring and is now an established part of the LIFE Programme. In 2018, 20 LIFE Nature projects were revisited linked to a Commission study on Measure Driven Improvements 1 . The key question was - has LIFE made a difference to the conservation status of European habitats and species? From the selection of projects the simple answer is yes, but the study also gives examples of where the situation is not so clear cut. This report includes extracts of the quantitative information on habitats and species collected at the ex-post missions. Short case studies give examples of the various situations found 5-10 years after the end of the project. In all visits an effort was made to collect quantitative information on the situation pre-project, at the end of the project and some years after including trend information. The aim was to present the results of LIFE projects using the same process and terminology as that used for member states’ reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive. The conclusion already known from over 100 completed ex-post studies is that LIFE Nature is highly relevant in supporting EU nature policies, that projects are effective and that their impact and sustainability is high. The experience of the ex-post exercise for LIFE Nature, based on project reports to 2013, is summarised in the Commission publication Long-term impact and sustainability of LIFE Nature2. That publication shows that LIFE projects have been used to meet urgent threats to habitats and species, to develop the capacity of NGOs and field staff, to act as a catalyst for conservation action, to communicate with local communities, to engage with new stakeholders, to gain acceptance for nature conservation and to develop best practice guidance. All these elements are included to some extent in this summary report and the set of reports originating from each ex-post visit. Successful projects engage people, raise awareness about European nature values and form partnerships built on trust between different sectors. LIFE Nature has helped to demonstrate in practice that Natura 2000 does not unduly restrict sustainable land use activity. It can support economic activity, especially in marginal areas, and can bring new economic opportunities such as eco-tourism linked to natural values. This report presents an analysis of the findings of the 2018 ex-post exercise covering 20 LIFE Nature projects. Evaluation report, Summary
ENVIRONMENT, NATURE & CLIMATE, LIFE, nature protection, programme evaluation, impact assessment
LIFE, nature protection, programme evaluation, impact assessment
English
LIFE
https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/files/lifemakesadifferencexp2018pdf