10th Steering Group Meeting
The Steering group Meeting, held on 27th March 2018, included discussion on PA 06 Studies that are currently in the process of preparation and implementation (ecosystem services, ecological connectivity, financing opportunities and revised roadmap) and update on the Iron Gates Feasibility Study. The second part of the meeting was dedicate to the Task Forces work. They elaborate, through presentations and Work plans, experience and achievements in first quarter of the year and perspectives for 2018. Additionally SG supported implementation of the cross – macro regional workshop on biodiversity as main topic, planned for autumn 2018 in Slovenia. The meeting was concluded with the discussion about the International seminar on “Danube Ecological Corridor” planned for the next day.
Seven SG members (including PACs) were present, representing Bavaria (BY), Croatia (HR), Hungary (HU), Austria (AT), Slovenia (SI), and Romania (RO).
Observers of the SG present at the meeting were Danubeparks, Danube Sturgeon Task Force, Soil Strategy Network in the Danube Region (SONDAR), WWF (AT) and representative of the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention.
International seminar “Danube Ecological Corridor”
On 28th March 2018 International seminar “Danube Ecological Corridor” was held with the main focus on Danube as the biggest ecological corridor in Europe. DG Environment represented plans of EU Commission for enhancing green infrastructure, while Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture spoke about notion in the Hungarian law regarding ecologic corridor, national intentions and implementation.
DANUBEPARKS – Network of protected areas share their experience in bridging the Danube Protected towards a Danube Habitat Corridor and Masterplan Bavarian Danube presented their cooperation with NGOs as well as with other authorities. WWF Austria share experiences of Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and representatives from Alpine Strategy ecological corridors in the Alpine Region. Seminar was concluded with interactive parallel session on ecological tourism, networking the existing capacities and funding possibilities for future projects.
