Chisinau, Moldova – November 9, 2024 – The Life Renata Project has successfully completed its second project meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, on November 8, 2024. More events unfolded from 5-8 November, bringing together international and local experts focused on aligning Moldova’s Emerald Network with EU Natura 2000 standards, taking important steps forward in promoting nature conservation and environmental policy.
The events included a training event, a consultation meeting with local and international partners, followed by the project’s second meeting. Co-organised by ICAS and EcoContact, in Chisinau and led by the project coordinator, Lever S.A., the meeting showcased key progress and updates, in-depth discussions and a solid focus on future goals.
On November 5 a synergy session with the project Natura 2000 Moldova, a project designed to promote a European approach to nature conservation within Moldova, was organised and project teams (Arnika, BIOTICA, Lever S.A., ICAS, KartECO, EcoContact, EKBY – GNHM) discussed shared expectations and clarified the specifics of each project’s work. The Life Renata project presented its scope, with kartECO and EcoContact experts outlining the technical and legislative framework updates. The session provided a chance to discuss the existing approach and challenges and pathways to overcome them. The project’s press conference highlighted support for Moldova’s voluntary environmental inspectors and conservation areas. Representatives from “BIOTICA”, the Czech Embassy, UNDP, and other partners shared updates on funding, regulatory progress, and international partnerships.
On November 6 the training session – attended by over 35 participants – provided guidance on EU Birds and Habitats Directives and best practices for protected area management, featuring examples from Greece. Experts also discussed Moldova’s governance structure for the Emerald Network, discussing steps to align it with EU standards. Participants took part in a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges for Moldova’s conservation efforts. In order to offer proper groundwork for the development of the roadmap as a dynamic framework up to 2030 for advancing the transformation of the Emerald establishment to Natura 2000 in Moldova, the SWOT analysis was performed to disclose a thorough understanding of the current situation of the Emerald network status. A practical exercise was performed during the first training seminar that will lead to a comprehensive SWOT developed through a participatory approach, which represents a way of broad coverage, in order to integrate the experiences and the factual knowledge of experts on the current situation of Emerald sites.
Consultation and Partnership Sessions: Several discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities of current conservation projects funded by the World Bank, Austrian Development Agency, and GEF. The sessions identified shared experience and objectives, as well as possible collaboration areas across these projects to support Moldova’s conservation work.
On November 7-8, the second Project Meeting was conducted. Life Renata project partners came together to review the project’s progress, discussing administrative and technical aspects since the project’s start in February 2024. Progress was presented per work package and per task, addressing crucial questions to local experts. The team mapped out the next steps and planned ahead to ensure steady advancement in upcoming project phases.
Meeting with Mr Nikolaos Krikos, the Ambassador of Greece in Moldova
Within the scope of engaging policy-makers on an international level, the Greek partners of the Life Renata project team met with the Ambassador of Greece in Chisinau. The team presented the project, focusing on the current status of the country’s protected areas and advancements required for aligning the Emerald Network with Natura 2000 standards.
Moving Forward
With these successful discussions and training, the Life Renata project continues to build momentum. By strengthening partnerships and improving training for local conservation teams, the project aims to bring Moldova closer to EU environmental standards for protected areas.
About the project: Supported by the LIFE Programme, Life Renata aims to align Moldova’s Emerald Network management with the EU’s Natura 2000 standards. Coordinated by Lever S.A., the two-year project is set to drive meaningful environmental outcomes through January 2026.
