PROtect SPEcies aCTIVEly by LIFE – PROSPECTIVE LIFE

        

Project code: 101104621; LIFE22-IPN-CZ-PROSPECTIVE LIFE
Web: LIFE Public Database
Implementation period: 1/1/2024 –⁠⁠⁠ 31/12/2033
Total budget: €39,702,379, of which the EU contribution is 60%
Coordinating beneficiary: Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic
Associated beneficiary: Ministry of the Environment
Factsheet

The project sets up a comprehensive functional system of active species protection, which fully reflects EU legislation and strategies regarding biodiversity. It is done primarily by determining and developing priorities in the field of endangered species protection in the form of active management tools based on the Concept of Active Species Protection Tools in the Czech Republic 2023–2032 and their implementation. The basic objectives will be reflected in the conceptual documents of other policies with the involvement of relevant stakeholders. A significant part of the project is dedicated to specific conservation measures to improve the endangered species status or to increase the acceptance of protected species involved in "human-wildlife conflict". An integral part of the project is also raising public awareness and understanding of biodiversity conservation issues. Last but not least, a more effective national system of species protection financing in the Czech Republic will be set.

Prospective LIFE – project summary

The project targets four identified problem areas:
1) Insufficient consideration of EU commitments in the field of biodiversity protection in national strategic documents and lack of specific implementation documents.
2) Insufficient implementation of the previous Concept of Rescue Programmes in terms of the number of implemented active species protection tools and the fulfilment of their objectives.
3) Insufficient involvement, expertise, and cooperation of other nature conservation authorities.
4) Insufficient public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and its direct involvement in conservation.

The project is defined as strategic, aimed at implementing a specific strategic document in practice. The basic strategic document for the active protection of the most endangered species in the Czech Republic is the Concept of Active Species Protection Tools in the Czech Republic 2023–2032 (hereinafter referred to as the "Concept"), the implementation of which is based on the Strategy for the Protection of Biodiversity of the Czech Republic (Strategy). The updated Concept for 2023–2032 sets clear objectives, a timetable, and lists of species for the development of active species protection tools, which are Species Action Plans (ZP), Species Management Plans (PP), and Regional Species Action Plans (RAP). The Concept is the backbone document of the entire Prospective LIFE project, will be fully implemented throughout its duration, and will be subsequently updated based on its results.

The proposed project will also update the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy of the Czech Republic for 2026–2050, which will reflect the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (BDS 2030), the "New Deal for Pollinators" (2023), the Review of the EU Pollinators Initiative, and other relevant EU biodiversity commitments.

The project has its own set of goals that it aims to achieve. They can be divided into goals of a systemic nature, which concern the functioning of the overall species protection concept, and goals of a functional, practical focus.

Project objectives:

Systemic: 

1) Implementation of EU biodiversity commitments into national strategies and regulations
2) Review of funding for active species conservation tools 
3) Development of expertise and competences of nature conservation authorities

Functional:

4) Creation of new Species Action Plans, Species Management Plans, and Regional Species Action Plans (ZP/PP/RAP) + implementation of existing ones + studies of target species
5) Development of cooperation with other nature conservation authorities
6) Raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity protection among the public and stakeholders
The Prospective LIFE project achieves these objectives through 8 Work Packages (WP) and 24 activities that are closely related or complementary to each other. They include preparatory, implementation, monitoring, awareness-raising, and management activities.

The first phase of the project (2024–2027) will primarily involve the preparation and approval of new active species protection tools (ZP/PP/RAP) and the parallel implementation of the existing ones. Simultaneously, a tool will be created to set up an adaptive management cycle with the aim of optimizing the measures taken to stop the decline of species populations or improve the species status. European commitments in the field of biodiversity protection will be incorporated into national strategies and policies. Biodiversity Awareness Public Relation Plan and other public relations tools will be developed. Last but not least, methodological and expert support for nature conservation authorities will be developed.

The main emphasis in the second phase of the project (2027–2030) will be placed on the implementation of the newly developed ZP/PP/RAP. A set of measures for communication and work with the public, interest groups and, in particular, farmers, landowners and municipalities will be applied and developed. The improved system of methodological and professional support OOP  will offer further seminars, training events, and workshops. Work on strategic documents and their evaluation will continue. The possibilities of using other sources in the implementation of complementary projects contributing to the Prospective LIFE project fulfilment will be continuously monitored while they are being actually implemented.

In the final phase of the project (2030–2033), the Concept will be fully implemented and its update will be prepared for the next ten-year period. Individual species protection tools will have stable implementation teams and established, ongoing, and funded implementation of the proposed measures. Thanks to the application of the adaptive management cycle, these tools will have an optimized level of management for individual species and their habitats. An international conference will be prepared for sharing know-how and disseminating results; the topic will be species protection.

Throughout the project, both beneficiaries will participate in educating and raising awareness in the field of biodiversity and its protection. The employees of both partners will continuously increase their knowledge, skills, and expertise. An integral part will also be the promotion of the project itself and networking with other projects, i.e. exchanging experience and knowledge with various European organizations that are working on their own projects funded by the LIFE programme in their countries.