Banca dati dei progetti dei PSR

This is an “area” approach project targeting farmers and using a range of RDP measures to improve the biodiversity of Natura 2000 sites. It aims to recognize the environmental safeguarding role played by farmers.

A new approach was needed to ensure a greater involvement of stakeholders in the use of RDP resources in order to improve the biodiversity of Natura 2000 sites. Previously, stakeholders did not recognize the full engagement of farmers in this type of activity, and in many cases their role in safeguarding and enhancing natural resources was not acknowledged.

The main objective is the protection and enhancement of biodiversity as well as natural resources in farmed Natura 2000 zones. Around 100 farmers are involved in this project, and its implementation is funded through multiple RDP measures, namely 111, 125, 213, 211, 214, 216.

Before starting the project, Natura 2000 Managing Body consulted the local authorities (provinces and municipalities) as well as farmers living in the protected areas. An area plan was then developed ensuring that the most relevant measures were included and given priority for funding. The new approach required important administrative resources as well as communication and dissemination activities from the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of the Marche Region.

Measures 111, 125, 211, 213, 214, and 216 have been used (approximately 55% of funds through measure 213). So far, these integrated interventions have improved biodiversity and landscape conservation, soil fertility, watercourses and groundwater. Farmers have not yet benefited financially from this project, as the financing authority (Marche Region) got trapped in serious administrative/IT problems dealing with the large number of beneficiaries.

The bottom-up approach is a practical way to coordinate the efficient use of RDP funds, the planning of interventions for specific protected areas and the integration of several RDP measures. It requires some additional administrative and managing responsibilities from farmers, yet the system is well structured and subsequent calls for proposals should not be problematic. However, it is important to note that payment delays are hampering the development of this project.

Marche Region, Italy. The main financial resources come from measure 213, but other axis 1 and axis 2 measures are associated with this project and the private contribution varies between 40 and 50%, depending on the farm type and zone.

Marche

Marche

7 850 000

3 454 000

Lorenzo Bisogni (Marche Regional Authority)

Lorenzo.bisogni@regione.marche.it

+39 071 8063710

English, Italian