With a new Interreg programme ‘Danube Region Programme 2021-2027’ (DRP) the PACs of the Priority area 6 (PA 6) are granted for project: “PA 6: Biodiversity, Landscapes, Air and Soils”, Project Acronym “PA6 Nature” (hereinafter: PA6 Nature). The project is co-financed by Interreg funds, from the third call for support to the coordinators of priority areas, which aims to support the coordination of the implementation of the EUSDR. The total value of the project is 585,570.00 EUR.

The PA6 Nature project is established within the 2^nd pillar “Protecting the Environment in the Danube Region“, in which the Lead Partner is the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, and Project Partner is the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia, both acting as Priority Area Coordinators (PACs) for PA 6 “Biodiversity and landscapes, quality of air and soils“.

The Project shall continue to support the implementation of Priority Area 6 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, adapted to current needs and challenges ahead. Beside the content-oriented work, the connection to the policy level shall be strengthened. Since the EU is in its early years of implementation of the EU Green Deal and released EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, both giving strong momentum to the PA 6 objectives, which shall be exploited to the best extent. The expected change from the implementation of this project is an improved coordination and implementation of the Strategy in PA 6.

Generally, the PA6 Nature project is based on the Action Plan, the PA 6 Road Map, the knowledge, experiences and results of the ongoing work of the Task Forces in the framework of PA 6. Specifically, it aims at sound management procedures for implementing PA 6 objectives, thus support the PACs work to coordinate and manage the implementation process, including cooperation with relevant EUSDR actors, other PA’s and the Steering Group. Furthermore, it shall contribute to facilitate effective work of stakeholders connected to PA 6 issues, raise awareness of the policy level and the wider public accordingly and gain in-depth knowledge on specific topics. Overall, the project shall contribute particularly to systematically network various stakeholders in the Danube Region with the policy level in the EUSDR states.

PA6 Nature project is granted for the six year (2023-2028) and is consisted of five Specific objectives:

• Coordinate Steering Groups, better involvement of SG members for implementing the EUSDR Action Plan
• Enhance coordination between core PA stakeholders and encourage their involvement in the EUSDR
• To facilitate on-going projects and development of future projects for the Priority Area
• To support policy development and policy initiatives as well as usage of cutting edge knowledge
• To implement the project in timely manner and to communicate and disseminate project outputs