Project name: Central-BIC Central Europe Biodiversity Innovative Communities
Total value of the project: EUR 2,353,468.34
ERDF co-financing (80%):
EUR 1,882,774.67
Project duration: June 2024 – November 2026
The Central-BIC
project aims to develop new tools and methodologies for sustainable ecosystem management. The goal is to involve local communities, arable and livestock farmers and also tourists in the process of testing tailored solutions for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. The project activities involve the establishment of sustainable ecosystem management models including the use of native animal breeds (goats, sheep) to restore degraded grasslands, protect natural resources and develop sustainable tourism practices.
CHALLENGES
Central Europe faces major challenges in biodiversity conservation due to unsustainable ecosystem management. Rural communities often lack sufficient support to transition to sustainable management of their ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. This project offers solutions that will enable an integrated approach to the protection of natural resources and their sustainable use.
Partnership:
Lead partner:
Liguria Region, Italy
Project partners:
- LAMORO Development Agency, Italy
- LAG EASTERN VENICE, Italy
- Kamenjak Public Institution, Croatia
- Zadar County, Croatia
- Ifuplan – Institute for Environmental Planning and Spatial Development, Germany
- Hajdú-Bihar County Government, Hungary
- Association of Municipalities of Małopolska Region, Poland
- Technical University of Kosice, Slovakia
- BSC, Business Support Centre Ltd., Kranj, Slovenia
- Development Agency of Idrija and Cerkno, Slovenia
- European Centre of Entrepreneurship Competence & Excellence, Austria
This project is funded under the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
“Central Europe Biodiversity Innovative Communities”
The main objective of the project is to restore degraded grasslands and prevent further biodiversity loss. Through this project, the Kamenjak Public Institution plans to implement an innovative grassland restoration model that includes the use of native domestic animal breeds, such as goats and sheep.
The first step of the approach is the introduction of goats, which will graze the pilot area for about three months. Next, sheep will take over and continue the grazing process.
The project aims:
- to restore 2 ha of Mediterranean dry grasslands and preserve existing grasslands within the Natura 2000 ecological network,
- to improve stakeholder engagement (administration, farmers and the local community),
- to track progress through baseline monitoring, comparisons with other clearing methods, and analysis of results.
Main activities:
- Ecosystem Services Assessment (WP1)
Kamenjak will conduct an ecosystem services assessment, sharing knowledge and expertise with other partners, and analyse the best approaches to preserving natural resources and biodiversity.
- Analysis of tested models (WP2)
Kamenjak will analyse the results of applied grassland restoration models, in cooperation with other partners, and select the best methods for long-term restoration and conservation of grasslands.
- Pilot project – Grassland restoration (WP3)
Kamenjak will conduct a pilot grassland-restoration project in the Lower Kamenjak area, introducing native domestic animal breeds (goats and sheep) as an innovative model for the restoration of dry grasslands.
- Goats will be introduced first due to their ability to clear the maquis and garrigue, as they are able to stand on their hind legs and grab leaves, flowers and young branches of shrubs and trees.
- After the goats, sheep will continue the grazing process, as they are considered the most efficient in maintaining Mediterranean dry grasslands.
The Central-BIC: Central Europe Biodiversity Innovative Communities project has started with a kick-off meeting and represents an important step towards preserving biodiversity in Central Europe. This project is funded by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE 2021–2027 cross-border cooperation programme, and its objective is to develop sustainable communities that manage biodiversity in the region.
The project will last 30 months, with an expected completion date in December 2026.
More information about the project can be found at the following link:
https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/central-bic/
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