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The project aims to conserve and restore the dry grasslands with orchids priority habitat within a representative area of the “Oasi xerotermiche della Val di Susa – Orrido di Chianocco e Foresto” Natura 2000 site. The project will define a restoration methodology (guidelines) and will implement actions that will lead to the conservation and restoration of significant portions of this habitat.
As a result, the project will be able to produce technical guidance that could be applied in the Cottian Alps (Alpi Cozie) Natural Parks (and other SCIs) in order to ensure sustainable and long-term management of the habitat. In particular, the project aims to:

• Restore shrub and tree-encroached areas (about 20 hectares of 6210*) through cutting of invasive vegetation;
• Define a methodology and guidance for sustainable grazing and apply these to about 80 hectares of dry grasslands (e.g. by buying sheep and arranging grazing equipments);
• Develop the tourist potential of the area and encourage participation and thus greater awareness of issues related to the use of natural resources.

The general objectives of the project are to stop the degradation of the habitat ‘Eastern submediteranean dry grasslands’ in the ‘magredi’ of the Friuli lowlands and to improve its extension through the transformation of cultivated lands and scrubland. The production of seeds and plants of the typical native species will take place in a nursery. Their use will improve the habitat’s flora composition, speed up the natural re-colonisation of the lands and efficiently replace non-native species. The project will increase the connectivity of the dry grassland habitat. Such an increase will be useful to the species linked to grasslands, such as reptiles, invertebrates and some birds. The connectivity of the habitat will be improved through the selection of lands to be restored in order to create a network of grasslands that now are isolated. The terrestrial fauna (mainly reptile and invertebrate) and birds of open land habitats (e.g. the corncrake – Crex crex) will benefit from this action. Species will be monitored by the specific monitoring programmes planned in the framework of the Natura 2000 site management plan. Soil preservation, carbon storage, landscape enhancement of the dry grasslands for tourists and improved awareness are other expected results. An important result will be the transfer of know-how on habitat restoration. Another objective is the reduction of the alien invasive plants through elimination, the restoration of degraded land (e. g. abandoned cultivated lands), ant the seeding and planting of native species to prevent invasive alien species from growing.

GESTIRE 2020 aims to create an integrated management structure that will ensure the achievement of the conservation objectives set out in the Habitats and Birds directives, taking into account the economic and technical sustainability of the management. This will be achieved by developing policies and management actions for the Natura 2000 regional network that include, among other things, the active management of habitats and species, the guarantee of coherence between the regional Natura 2000 network and external territories (including ecological connectivity), the monitoring of the results of the actions undertaken, the guarantee of supervision of activities interfering with Natura 2000 sites, and the training of professionals in appropriate management for the regional network.

The objective of the LIFE GREENCHANGE project is to protect biodiversity and enhance the ecological value of the agro-ecosystems of Agro Pontino in Italy and rural areas in Malta.

Specific objectives are:

• Integrating ecological functionality and connectivity goals for agro-ecosystems – based around an assessment of ecosystem services – into decision-making processes, through the involvement of public entities, management bodies and farmers in the creation and management of green infrastructures;
• Implementing green infrastructure in pilot agricultural areas, by creating new core and buffer areas and ecological corridors between them;
• Mitigating the environmental impact of farming activities, especially in areas of high ecological value, and increasing their contribution to the maintenance and enhancement of ecosystem services through the training and direct involvement of farmers.

The main objective of the LIFE SouthMoravia project is to improve the conservation status of five priority habitats of the Habitats Directive, namely, Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, Pannonic loess steppic grasslands, Pannonian woods with Quercus pubescens, Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus spp., and Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia), including the non-priority version of this last habitat without important orchid sites,, at the northern edge of the Pannonian bioregion and in one case in the Continental bioregion. The project will build on previous work, but at larger scale and with improved approaches involving grazing and eco-tourism to make the outcomes more sustainable. A fundamental objective is to develop a comprehensive and sustainable system of habitat management through the reintroduction of traditional farming practices (e.g. grazing and mowing) at the lowest possible cost.

The main objective of the LIFE PALU QdP project is to conserve characteristic habitats and species of the ‘Palù del Quartier del Piave’ Natura 2000 network site in the Veneto region of Italy, by reintroducing sustainable agroforestry and traditional meadow management practices.

The project aims to:

• Strengthen the presence of amphibian, reptile and butterfly species of conservation relevance, particularly Triturus carnifex and Rana latastei, two amphibians listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, and the butterfly Hesperia comma;
• Increase population levels of the plant species Iris sibirica, Gentiana pneumonanthe, Succisa pratensis, Stellaria palustris and Carex brizoides;
• Develop and demonstrate agroforestry management models able to foster economic sustainability in the traditional Palù plots, and, at the same time, protect habitats, particularly ‘Lowland hay meadows’ and ‘Molinia meadows’ listed in the Habitats Directive, and their associated species;
• Demonstrate the efficacy of a participatory approach, based on ‘river contracts’ for the conservation of ecosystems; and
• Promote communications about the site’s natural and cultural heritage, and increase awareness of the Palù area and the Natura 2000 network.

The project’s main objective centres on securing and restoring all calcareous grasslands that have been known to exist in southeast of Luxembourg. This goal will be achieved by: improving the conservation status of grassland habitats through removal of moss and dead biomass; expanding the surface area of target habitats by clearing of scrubs and removing non-native forestation; cross-linking habitat patches through extensification of adjacent farmland; and providing long-term protection through land purchases and management.

Special emphasis will be given to restoring the priority habitat ‘orchid-rich calcareous grasslands’ in order to help achieve national and European conservation objectives.

The main objective of the LIFE SUB-PANNONIC project is to improve the conservation status of three Habitats Directive priority dry grassland habitats (sub-pannonic steppic grasslands, semi-natural dry calcareous grasslands, and pannonic loess steppic grasslands) and three plant species of Community importance (Onosma tornensis, Artemisia pancicii and Himantoglossum caprinum) in the northern part of the Pannonian bioregion in south-west Slovakia. The project will achieve this by removing encroaching shrubs and trees, controlling invasive plant species, and re-introducing mowing and grazing practices. This should also have a positive impact for other species of Community interest, including Thlaspi jankae, Dracocephalum austriacum, Iris aphylla ssp. hungarica, Pulsatilla patens, Bolbelasmus unicornis and Stenobothrus eurasius.

The main aim of CZ-SK SOUTH LIFE is the long-term improvement in conservation status of priority habitats in 25 Natura 2000 network sites in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic and in 30 sites in southern Slovakia. Specific project objectives will target a range of species and habitats that are listed as a priority for conservation in the Habitats Directive.

The endemic plant species Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica*:

• Expansion of the species’ habitat;
• Stabilisation and further increase of the species’ population; and
• Ensuring sustainable after-life management based on the best practice.

The ground beetle Carabus menetriesi subsp. pacholei*:

• Improvement in suitable active raised bogs habitat;
• Expansion of the species biotope; and
• Increase of the population.

The hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita*:

• Maintenance of the current species biotopes and their further expansion; and
• Increase of the population.

Grassland habitats (1340*, 1530*, 6110*, 6120*, 6210*, 6250*, 6260*):

• Restoration and increasing coverage of the habitats; and
• Ensuring optimal and sustainable management in the long term.

Forest habitats (91D0*, 91E0*, 91N0*):

• Restoration and expansion of the habitats.

The objective of LIFE České středohoří is to improve the conservation status of thermophilous habitats and species in the central part of the České středohoří hills (total area 277 ha) in the Czech Republic. Their stabilisation will support and enlarge the Natura 2000 network, and protect habitats and species listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive.

Specific objectives are to:

• Enlarge the area of functional target grassland habitats, with restoration and stabilisation measures carried out over 175 ha;
• Stabilise target species populations: Eurasian toothed grasshopper, Jersey tiger, European green lizard, the grass Stipa zalesskii, lady’s slipper orchid, and Eastern Pasque flower;
• Increase biodiversity of selected Natura 2000 forest habitats (on 99 ha) and reestablish the forest habitat 9180* (on three ha);
• Develop a GPS-based audio guide as an innovative aspect of the project;
• Support farmers and forest managers to assure the long-term sustainability of the project investment;
• Update the necessary data and knowledge, test optimal combinations of management measures for each site, and subsequently prepare a management plan for the project area; and
• Raise awareness among the public, especially in local communities and municipalities.

The overall objective of the Military LIFE for Nature project is to provide the suitable management of exceptionally valuable natural sites formed in the past by military training. Different management approaches will be adopted, thereby creating the optimum conditions for ensuring a favourable conservation status for the rare and endangered habitat types and species found therein. The project area comprises five sites: Blšanský chlum, Mašovická střelnice, Havranické vřesoviště, Načeratický kopec and Pánov.

The target habitat types include semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies and priority Pannonic sand steppes, and others such as inland dunes, dry heaths, juniper formations, and siliceous rock – all listed in the Annex II of the Habitats Directive as priority for conservation. Also targeted is the Annex II-listed priority butterfly species Jersey tiger (Euplagia (Callimorpha) quadripunctaria).

Specific objectives are:

• To restore open sand with occurrence of two habitat types at the Pánov site and introduce long-term sustainable management;
• To substantially extend an area of two habitat types at the areas currently influenced by vegetation succession processes at the Načeratický kopec site and to prepare them for long-term sustainable management;
• To introduce breeding of large native herbivores (horses) at the Mašovická střelnice and Havranické vřesoviště sites and thus to prepare suitable conditions for four habitat types and the herbaceous perennial (Pulsatilla grandis);
• To provide suitable conditions for the occurrence of the Jersey tiger at the Blšanský chlum site; and
• To promote various management methods for maintaining favourable status of the habitat types and species of the abandoned military training areas.

GrassLIFE will focus on developing, optimising and improving the conservation status of six EU priority grasslands in Latvia (1630*, 6120*, 6210*, 6230*, 6270* and 6530*). All restoration activities will be carried out within 14 Natura 2000 network sites.

Specific project objectives are to:

• • Restore the target priority grassland habitats and improve their conservation status on 1 320.5 hectares by applying best-practice and testing pilot and restoration methods;
  • Establish a long-term sustainable management (grazing) system on the restored grassland areas;
  • Prepare recommendations for improving their conservation status and grassland connectivity;
  • Improve the economics aspect of sustainable grassland use; and
  • Improve knowledge and public awareness about the importance of preservation of priority grasslands in Latvia and the EU.

The LIFE TO GRASSLANDS project aims to:

• Restore 260 ha of habitat type 6210 and 257 ha of 6230 through the removal of overgrowth;
• Reintroduce grazing/mowing management aimed at maintaining open patches of 6230 in the forest (on around 5 ha);
• Establish the long-term sustainable use of target areas;
• Revitalise 45.5 ha of traditional orchards, thus preventing land sliding and enhancing species diversity;
• Incorporate sustainable dry grassland management into agricultural and environmental policy in Slovenia;
• Establish a network of landowners and potential land users to reduce land use fragmentation;
• Improve the viability of sustainable dry grassland use by identifying alternative activities; and Increase public awareness of the importance of dry grasslands.

The Life for Minuartia project aims to rescue the priority endemic species, M. smejkalii, from the threat of extinction by enhancing its population at two Natura 2000 network sites. This will be achieved by addressing the main threats to the species and by establishing sustainable and practical management at the sites where it is found.

To achieve its main goal, the project will work towards the following objectives:

• Restoration of 17 ha of natural sites through various management best practices;
• Establishment of self-sustainable ex-situ conservation to be used for plant reintroduction;
• Direct enhancement of population size by sowing of M. Smejkalii seeds and reintroduction of plants on a site of recent extinction;
• Involvement of the local community in reducing vandalism and plant collection by applying a participatory approach that will be tested for the first time in the country context;
• Increased awareness of Natura 2000 and dissemination of results at local and EU level.

The main objective of the LIFE-IP: N2K Revisited project is to establish a more effective management system for Natura 2000 network sites in the Czech Republic. The aim is to link appropriate management more effectively with corresponding planning, based on accurate assessments of status and trends of the target features, accompanied by cooperation with land users. The project will effectively utilise knowledge of the benefits provided by natural capital to society and take into account relevant costs. The project will also support regional authorities, municipalities and land users to help them mobilise their own resources, including recommendations for the EU 2027+ programming period. Expected results:

• assessment of targeted habitats and species status for at least 95 % of sites;
• conservation priorities set on an annual basis and cross-site comparisons made to optimise resource allocation;
• about 400 annual and 100 multi-annual public law contracts negotiated with land users concerning site management practice;
• implementation of priority measures, evaluation of management effectiveness, and 150 management plans updated;
• management carried out at on at least 1 500 ha annually, with two innovative management practices tested and evaluated in 20 localities;
• assessment of benefits provided by the Natura 2000 network to society, ecosystem services mapped and published, a new methodology used to assess the benefits and costs associated with Natura 2000, and the National Ecosystem Services Platform incorporates these Natura 2000 benefits into decision-making on natural capital management;
• training of at least 400 Nature Protection Authorities (NPA) employees;
• financing analysed and established for Natura 2000 management and the necessary resources mobilised to secure the full implementation of the national Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 for the period 2014-2020;
• guidelines for public administration procedures, and recommendations on strategic and planning documents relevant to Natura 2000; and
• awareness raised about the Natura 2000 network and its benefits to society through dissemination activities, including a web tool to visualise ecosystem services, information materials, and the outcomes of three case studies on local Natura 2000 socio-economic benefits.

In addition to the IP budget itself the project will facilitate the coordinated use of complementary funding of approx. 4 million from the Mon&Inv project and the project NCIS2 Nature Conservation Information System 2 (both funded by the Operational Programme Environment 20142020).

LIFE for insects overall objectives are to conserve selected target insect species and enhance their populations through the restoration of wet grasslands, pastures, coppiced and open-canopy forest habitats in the transboundary area of the Western Carpathians; and to interconnect the species’ metapopulations in this area, thus contributing to the requirements of EU nature directives and Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.

Expected results: Restoration of the following habitats for the targeted insect species:

• 210 ha in the Bílé Karpaty and Čertoryje sites – through coppiced forest restoration on 105 ha, opening and clearing followed by forest grazing on 52.5 ha, and elimination of self-seeding trees, followed by restoration of pastures on another 52.5 ha;
• 70 ha in the Beskydy site – through measures in non-forested areas to enhance Maculinea butterfly species (including elimination of self-seeding trees and gradual restoration of pasturelands, mowing and sowing of butterfly-friendly plants in order to increase biodiversity) and, to a lesser extent, restoration of coppiced- forest areas;
• 160 ha in the Holubyho Kopanice site – through coppiced woodland restoration on 80 ha, opening and clearing followed by forest grazing on 40 ha, and restoration on 40 ha; and
• Implementation of management change on 70 ha, from intensive farming into small-scale, extensive farming.