More information
Description
A recent change in the protected area governance and management system, made by the government without consultation, initiated a centralization process, reducing significantly opportunities for active involvement of various entities / civil society. One of the results of the Emergency Ordinance 75/2018 was the cancelling of management contracts for delegated management of 530 protected areas. The NGO Coalition Natura 2000 and some political parties had several initiative to reverse the changes in the legislation.
This project will contribute to the reconfiguration of the protected area governance and management system through advocacy and watchdog activities. The advocacy campaign will focus on 3 changes for the efficient and effective, participatory governance and management and will contribute to improving understanding and public action of the civil society in this domain.
Project beneficiaries are members of the Coalitia Natura 2000 network, other representatives of the civil society, institutional actors involved in designing the governance model.
The partnership with the Pro Democratia Association - Brasov Club will increase significantly the chances for successful campaigns and will allow experience exchange between the two organizations. This joint experience will directly help increase the capacity of the Coalition. The project supports the 20 NGOs of the network to improve their management capacity by providing tools for strategic planning, communication and organizational management, thus improving civic intervention capacity on the long term.
Summary of project results
In 2018, changes in the governance and management system of protected areas, implemented by the government without prior consultation, triggered a centralization process. This significantly reduced opportunities for the active involvement of various entities and civil society. One outcome of Emergency Ordinance 75/2018 was the cancellation of management contracts for the delegated oversight of 530 protected areas. In response, the NGO Coalition Natura 2000, along with several political parties, launched initiatives to reverse these legislative changes.
The project aimed to address the following key needs and challenges: creating a bridge between civil society and decision-makers, improving the legal framework through participatory methods, and enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations to respond to political pressures.
To meet these challenges, an opinion poll was conducted to gauge public perception of nature protection in Romania and the involvement of NGOs in managing protected natural areas. Working groups with coalition members were established, and documents proposing changes were submitted to various institutions.
Key actions included the submission of over 80 proposals for legislative modifications and information requests, meetings with authorities, and participation by NGO representatives in radio and TV shows. Articles were published on online platforms, and special mini-documentaries and podcasts were produced and shared across multiple channels. A five-year participatory strategy was developed, and capacity-building training sessions on advocacy and strategic communication were successfully delivered, significantly enhancing the Coalition''s communication and organizational capacity. Strategic, organizational, procedural, and branding documents were also updated or newly developed, further contributing to the Coalition''s growth.
The main outcomes of the project include the establishment of a collaborative and effective system for policy analysis and response. The Coalition made a direct impact on public policy, with over 80 proposals submitted, more than half of which were accepted, addressing issues such as OUG57, forestry, hunting, energy, and large carnivores. Additionally, the Coalition has become a well-recognized and legitimate forum through its ongoing communication with key stakeholders: the general civil society, biodiversity specialists, and public policy experts.