Green-Go! Local initiatives for deployment of green infrastructure within Natura 2000 sites in the Carpathians

The Carpathian mountain chain is an important part of Europe's ‘green infrastructure’ and a region of great biodiversity. Its natural value reflects its location as one of the main ecological corridors both in Poland and in Europe (the Carpathian Corridor). Eighty-two Natura 2000 network sites cover almost 40% of the area in the Polish part of the Carpathians, covering more than 470 000 hectares. Unfortunately, in recent years, biodiversity and landscape in the Carpathians have been degraded and fragmented as a result of river regulation, the felling of trees, excessive gravel removal and the construction of dams to create reservoirs. Grasslands are in poor condition and are significantly reduced in the area, mainly due to land abandonment followed by natural forest growth. Conservation and protection of Carpathian biodiversity and landscape will largely depend on the management or restoration of natural ecosystems, and restoring ecological connectivity. This will require the continuation of extensive farming, the adequate management of ecological corridors at local level, and cooperation between local stakeholder groups. LIFE Green-Go! Carpathians aims to increase knowledge and awareness in Carpathian local communities concerning the need to protect biodiversity in rural areas. In particular, the project will promote green infrastructure, raise awareness of the need for maintaining and restoring ecological connectivity, and increase the level of knowledge about the importance of ecosystem services for sustainable local development. To achieve its aims, the project will support local cooperation for the participatory enhancement of green infrastructure in Natura 2000 sites in the Polish part of the Carpathians. The project has four main goals: 1. Involvement of local stakeholders in joint activities for the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of green infrastructure in Natura 2000 network sites; 2. Increased awareness, knowledge and commitment of residents, local governments and other organisations and entities operating in the Carpathians concerning the need to protect biological and landscape diversity, the benefits of nature conservation for local development, and the application of spatial information in decision-making processes; 3. Better access to spatial data resources and tools, and geo-information for participatory governance of the Natura 2000 sites in the Carpathians; and 4. Dissemination of good practices for the participatory governance of Natura 2000 sites throughout the Carpathian region. Expected results: Establishment of at least 30 cooperation networks consisting of local action groups and local governments (LAG/LG); At least 10 LAG/LG take part in the competition for a case study and action plan on the formation of green infrastructure; Implementation of at least 10 local informational campaigns conducted by LAG/LG; Implementation of five initiatives/projects for enhancement of green infrastructure in Natura 2000 sites in the Carpathians; Organisation of at least five outdoor educational events for local communities; Production of 30 information boards displaying the results of green infrastructure mapping; Launch of a geoportal and a mobile application for updating and maintaining spatial data in databases on green infrastructure; Establishment of 10 databases on green infrastructure and natural assets of municipalities, for use in planning procedures in Natura 2000 network sites; Organisation of an e-learning course devoted to the role of Natura 2000 sites in rural areas; Production of a guidebook on establishing green infrastructure on a local scale (in Polish and English); Organisation of three consultative seminars for institutions at the regional level; and Organisation of a meeting of the international working group of the Carpathian Convention and a project promotional event during the meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention.-