Moldovan-Greek partnership through the LIFE Renata EU programme provides practical solutions for conserving threatened species

The LIFE Renata project held an intensive training seminar from during March 31 - April 2, 2026, dedicated to strengthening operational capacities for implementing the European Union’s nature directives. The event, hosted by the Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (EKBY) in Thessaloniki, brought together civil servants, environmental experts and decision-makers from Moldova, in order to ensure the transfer of technical knowledge needed to manage protected areas, with reference to the EcoContact Association.

The seminar was conceived as a support pillar for the competent authorities of  Moldova, with strategic goals that included strengthening understanding of the requirements set out in the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, acquiring methods for monitoring, reporting and managing sites of ecological importance, familiarizing participants with guidelines for drafting management plans for Emerald sites and future Natura 2000 sites, and presenting advanced GIS systems and methodologies for assessing habitats and threatened species.

The three-day programme combined theoretical presentations with interactive sessions, offering participants access to the latest European reporting tools. Experts discussed the prioritization of actions in protected areas and the synergies needed between various environmental policies, such as the Water Framework Directive and the new EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

The seminar also addressed practical aspects of environmental governance, from forest management and the connectivity of wetlands to the promotion of sustainable tourism in protected areas. The participants had the opportunity to study the Greek governance framework, analyzing how European financial instruments can be used effectively for biodiversity conservation actions.

LIFE Renata is a project co-financed by the European Union, aimed at supporting  Moldova in advancing the management of the Emerald Network. The partnership brings together six key organizations, including the coordinator Lever S.A. (Greece), the Environment Ministry of Moldova, the Institute for Forest Research and Management (ICAS), the EcoContact association and technical experts from Greece (EKBY and kartECO).

Through this training, the project continues to develop a knowledge hub essential for the application of EU environmental legislation, thereby ensuring stronger and better coordinated protection of the national natural heritage, EcoContact concludes.