Moldova moves towards EU standards - Natura 2000, with concrete steps for environmental protection

Moldova is advancing towards aligning its national network of protected areas with European Natura 2000 standards through the development and public consultation of the Roadmap for Aligning the Emerald Network Management with Natura 2000 Standards, presented at the International Conference titled, Approaches to Protected Area Conservation in the Context of EU Standards. The event brought together authorities, experts and organizations active in biodiversity conservation, providing a framework for debate and recommendations.

The document, developed by EcoContact NGO as the local partner of the LIFE RENATA project, proposes a structured tool that will guide Moldova in the preparation stage for integration into the Natura 2000 network.

"The roadmap gathers essential elements for harmonizing national legislation with European directives on habitats and birds, strengthening the governance mechanisms of protected areas, monitoring habitats and species, as well as integrating conservation standards into territorial planning and economic sectors. The pre-final version of the document also includes stages for funding the necessary actions to implement the Natura 2000 network and developing digital tools for managing data on protected areas. Its presentation marks an important step in adjusting the national biodiversity protection framework to the requirements of the European Union, according to the recommendations of the European Commission and the objectives of the National Programme for EU Accession (2025–2029)," EcoContact said.

The observations and recommendations formulated at the conference will be integrated into the document, which will subsequently undergo public consultation and institutional coordination nationally for official approval and implementation.

The conference was organized by the Ecological Society BIOTICA, Arnika, and EcoContact, with support from the Transition Promotion programme of the Czech Republic’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as international partnerships from Austria (ADA) and Sweden.

LIFE RENATA, co-financed by the European Union, aims to support Moldova in modernizing the management of the Emerald Network and aligning with EU standards for the conservation of species and habitat. The project provides legal, technical, and operational support, monitoring and reporting tools, a knowledge hub, GIS database and capacity building for institutions and organizations involved in the protection of biodiversity.

The project partnership includes six international and local organizations, including: Lever S.A. Development Consultants (Greece) – project manager, the Institute of Forest Research and Management (ICAS, Moldova), the Greek Centre for Biotopes and Wetlands (EKBY), kartECO Environmental and Energy Engineering Consultancy (Greece), EcoContact NGO (Moldova) and the Environment Ministry of Moldova.