'Training the Trainers'

As part of the Natura 2000 Networking Programme, Eurosite in partnership with EUROPARC and the European Landowners’ Organisation hosted a five-day training event in the Danube Floodplain National Park in Austria from 23rd – 27th April. This successful event involved 30 Natura 2000 Ambassadors from across Europe. The European Commission was represented at the event along with various other speakers and contributors involved with the management of Natura 2000. The training programme explored issues such as stakeholder involvement, effective local level communication, conflict resolution and economic development synergies (identifying funding opportunities) within Natura 2000.

The training was participatory and interactive. By working together the participants discussed the issues involved in managing Natura 2000, shared experiences and developed practical solutions. The training event was a central tool for the successful implementation of the Natura 2000 Networking Programme. As a result of the training event, fifteen follow-up events (along with many other smaller events) will also take place throughout this year. These events will further develop the issues raised in the training and will explore a variety of topics. Training proceedings and an overview of the follow up events will be available shortly at www.natura.org.