| dc.description.abstract | The European Commission has approved funding for 54 nature conservation projects, in 20 Member States or acceding countries, under the LIFE-Nature programme 2005. The projects will restore protected nature areas and their fauna and flora, establish sustainable management structures and strengthen public aware-ness and cooperation with stakeholders. They will thus further contribute to the creation of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected sites. The projects are situated in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Romania. They represent a total investment of €125 million, of which the EU will cover €69 million. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “I am delighted to see European funds supporting local, regional and national efforts to conserve natural species and habitats. Having visited LIFE-Nature sites myself, I have seen the difference this dynamic collaboration can make”. |
