Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Biological diversity is essential for the evolution and persistence of life supporting systems in the biosphere. However, the persistent loss and disappearance of biological diversity remains a challenge in Europe and in Poland. Infrastructure, intensive agriculture production, and human life in general is putting pressure on the system which in turn leads to loss in species populations, species extinction and valuable habitats disappearing. In addition, so-called invasive species are entering the system which force out native species. There is need for increased awareness and education about biodiversity and ecosystem services and increased capacity to manage and monitor the sites. What will the programme achieve? The projects selected within this programme should be aiming at integrating the process of Poland’s Natura 2000 management. Through local community involvement, restoring of natural habitats to their proper condition in forests, species protection, removal and reduction of invasive alien species and their negative impacts and increased social ecological awareness by ecological attitude promotion, this programme will contribute to the protection of the ecosystem and to halt the loss of biodiversity. How will it be achieved? • Improved cataloguing and monitoring of occurrence of invasive alien species and their combating. • Limitation of pressure of invasive alien species on native species. • Nation-wide educational campaign on biological diversity and ecosystem services. • Increased capacity to manage and monitor effectively Natura 2000 sites. • Improved condition of protection of habitats and species covered by projects on Natura 2000 sites. • Increased capacity of local communities and non-governmental organisations to protect and promote biological diversity. How will bilateral relations be strengthened? There is no Donor Programme partner in this programme, but the Programme Operator has cooperated with the Norwegian Ministry of Environment (NMoE) in the development of a bilateral strategy. Expected results are: Exchange of experience, knowledge, technology and best practice between Beneficiaries and organisations from Donor States. What are the partnership opportunities? This programme is well suited for potential project partners. The project size is estimated to be between €170,000 and €800,000 and there will be one open call. The financial support for projects under the small grants scheme will be between €50,000 and €250,000. There will be one call for proposals under the small grant scheme. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Only entities registered in Poland and certain intergovernmental organisations are eligible as project applicants. • For the open call for proposals: Any entity, public or private, including territorial or local self-government and state organisational units, including the State Forests National Forests Holding (PGL LP), and private entities. • For the small grants scheme: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs). • For the Fund for bilateral relations: Polish project promoters who have signed a project contract with the Programme Operator and who implement their project with Donor partners, Polish organisations interested in cooperation and exchange of experience and knowledge with Donor partners.