2nd Networking Meeting with the European Program INTERREG ADRION "IMPRECO"

On Wednesday December 12, 2018 the team of LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete project participated in the 2nd Networking Meeting with the social partners of the European Program "IMPRECO" (INTERREG ADRION) that was organized by the Region of Crete (Directorate of Environment & Spatial Planning - Department of the Environment).

The meeting took place at the premises of the Regional Council and among the participants besides the two project teams (IMPRECO and LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete) were also representatives of agencies and public authorities whose activities are related to the protection and valorization of the Ecosystem Services in Crete.

The meeting took place at the premises of the Regional Council and among the participants besides the two project teams (IMPRECO and LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete) were also representatives of agencies and public authorities whose activities are related to the protection and valorization of the Ecosystem Services in Crete.

The Region of Crete is partner of the European Program INTERREG ADRION "IMPRECO" entitled "Common Strategies and Best Practices for Improving Transnational Protection of Integrity and Services of Ecosystems". The aim of the project is to safeguard ecosystem services and address their vulnerability by enhancing the potential of protected areas to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems.

During the meeting, Mrs Eleni Hatzigianni, Director of the Environment & Spatial Planning Directorate presented the project IMPRECO, the actions carried out so far and addressed its implications in Crete. In addition, the necessary synergies between stakeholders and co-organizers were discussed and common fields of action were identified in order to exploit the results of relevant successful projects implemented in the Region of Crete recently. Mr Probonas, Scientific Coordinator of LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete referred to the results of the project and the revised identification of ecosystem services according to the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES 2018)

Cooperation among the two projects with more networking meetings and exchange of experiences will take place within the coming years in order to capitalize the results towards a common objective: to raise the concern on biodiversity issues and valorize ecosystem services as a guarantee for sustainable development, prosperity and quality of life in the island of Crete.

For more information on the IMPRECO Project, please visit https://impreco.adrioninterreg.eu/