3.2 Capacity for the planning, establishment and management of protected areas

Assessment criterion:

• Comprehensive capacity building programmes implemented

Description of progress, main obstacles, information sources:

Capacity building programmes and initiatives on establishment/management of PA:

• training sessions: internal for administrations, external for land users and owners – by government institutions,  training is also provided by nature associations such as Natagora, Natuurpunt,

* Flemish Region: INVERDE (institution supported by government for training on nature and forest law, policies, management practices, monitoring); JNM (nature education of youth groups), CVN (training of nature guides)

* Walloon Region: There is a network of ONG’s local representatives to manage protected area’s

Advices and assistance can be given to managers of public protected area’s by regional coordination structures.

• technical and financial support for NGO’s, local authorities, private land owners, private forest owners, game management units

• research institutes organise workshops to inform administrations and organisations on the outcomes of research studies, monitoring reports, evaluation procedures,…