Introduction in
SURF nature - let's improve the use of Regional Funds together
SURF-nature is a project of 14 partners in 10 different EU member states who have come together to enhance regional policies for the promotion and preservation of biodiversity and nature.
The project is funded through Interreg IVc and aims to improve the current and future funding opportunities for nature conservation and biodiversity through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
News 
Memorandum for joint management of Drin river basin
Controlling and coordinating the waters and biodiversity of the Drin river basin are some of the obligations outlined in the memorandum for joint management of the Drin river basin between FYR Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Greece.
Welcome Croatia - Accession treaty signed
EU and Croatian leaders have signed Croatia's EU Accession Treaty. Subject to the Treaty's ratification by all Member States and Croatia, the country will become the 28th Member State of the European Union on 1 July 2013.
EU Budget: Get real with funding for LIFE and biodiversity
On 12 December the European Commission released its proposals for the LIFE environment fund 2014-2020. Despite an increase from €2.1 billion to €3.2 billion, LIFE will remain too small to make this strategically important fund fit for purpose. LIFE is the only financial instrument of the EU solely...
Financing Natura 2000 Paper published
The EC has placed the EC Staff Working Paper on Financing Natura 2000 on their website now.
Second thematic booklet published
The booklet "Sustainable Tourism & Nature Conservation - An Investment in our Future" was published in the beginning of December
Interview in CENTRAL EUROPEAN with Johannes Hahn on "Future of Cohesion Policy"
The European Commissioner for Regional Policy is convinced that transnational cooperation will matter for reaching the EU 2020 goals.
Brussels European Meeting 23 November 2011 - Warmia & Mazury Brussels Regional Office
East Poland House – Regional Office of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship in Brussels was the venue of Brussels European Meeting, SURF-Nature dissemination event that took place on 23 November 2011.
EEA Report: Landscape fragmentation in Europe
Increasing fragmentation of landscapes threatens the wildlife in Europe
Wales’ Natural Environment Framework – A Living Wales
In Wales, we have a legal duty to Sustainable development and try to consider it in everything we do. A key element of this is protecting our environment.
Last interregional workshop of the SURF for Nature-Project in Preveza/Greece
The 9th and last interregional workshop on "Wetlands and Biodiversity" took place in Preveza/Greece on the 10th/11th of November.
Save the dates!
Beside several training sessions in the partner regions there will be two more partner meetings and a closing conference.
Successful interregional workshop in St. Brieuc
On 6 october 2011, Conseil Général des Côtes d'Armor welcome over 80 representatives of local authorities, State departments, universities and environmental NGOs to a seminar on the use of ERDF for environmental education.
Innovative financing mechanisms for nature conservation: Practice from the Danube river basin
The project “Promoting Payments for Ecosystem Services and Related Sustainable Financing Schemes in the Danube Basin”.
Delivering Europe 2020: Three commissioners outline how they are meeting the targets
The European Union has EU set itself an agenda to achieve smart and sustainable growth for every EU citizen through its 'Europe2020 Strategy'.
SURF Nature dissemination event - Brussels European Meeting on 23rd of November 2011
2 SURF partners (Warmia & Mazury+ Cotes d'Armor) plan a small SURF-Nature dissemination event in Brussels for the representatives of the European regions.
1st Training Session in Wales on 3rd of November 2011
In the beginning of November a serie of SURF training sessions started in Cardiff/Wales
Meeting between Potočnik and delegation of ENCORE
Meeting between the European Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Janez Potočnik, and a delegation of ENCORE Ministers in Brussels
European Commission published proposal for new regulations today
The European Commission has adopted a draft legislative package which will frame cohesion policy for 2014-2020. It aims at enforcing the Europe 2020 strategy and provides a budget of 336 billion Euro for Cohesion Policy, which is 1/3 of the total EU budget for this period. Generally two main...
A new era for EU Biodiversity Policy
New EU strategy adopted - On the 3 May 2011 the Commission published a new landmark strategy to improve the state of Europe’s biodiversity over the next decade.
EU Subsidies for polluting and unsustainable practices
EU budget subsidies should be phased out if they are likely to have environmentally harmful effects according to a detailed assessment.
First booklet on "Green Infrastructure" published
The thematic booklet on "Green Infrastructure - Sustainable Investments for the Benefit of Both People and Nature" is published and available on this website now.
Green Tourism in Wales
One of Wales’ greatest assets is its natural heritage – the dramatic landscapes, coast and wildlife. And tourism is a major part of Wales’ economy.
Multiannual Financial Framework 2014 - 2020
The Commission presents its proposal for a new financial framework 2014-2020
Regions for economic change
Conference on "Fostering Smart and Sustainable Growth in Cities and Regions" 23 - 24 June 2011
8th interregional workshop in St. Brieuc / France
The 8th interregional workshop of the Surf Nature project will take place in St. Brieuc (France) on 5 - 7 October 2011 and will deal with environmental education.
Maison de la Baie
On 26 and 27 March 2011, the Maison de la Baie launched the sustainable Spring of St Brieuc Agglomeration.
7th interregional workshop in Rieti / Italy
The 7th Interregional Workshop on Management of Natura 2000 Network will take place in Rieti / Italy on 14, 15 and 16 of September, 2011.
6th interregional workshop in Tyrol / Austria
The 6th interregional workshop on sustainable tourism will take place on 31st of August till 1st of September 2011 in Tyrol, Austria.
Open Days 2011 in Brussels
The OPEN DAYS 2011 participants' registration will start in July, when the full programme is made available online.
Fifth Interregional Workshop in Solsona/Catalonia
The 5th interregional workshop on Forest Biodiversity and Risk Prevention will take place in Solsona/Catalonia on 24th of May
Fourth interregional workshop in Patras/Greece
The 4th interregional workshop on Natura 2000 Management will take place in Patras/Greece on 14th and 15th April 2011
Commission launches consultations on Resource Efficiency
EU asks for opinions
The UN Green Economy Report
Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication
Green Infrastructure Conference
Summary and outcomes of the Green Infrastructure Conference in Brussels, Autumn 2010
Flagship initiative “Sustainable Growth”
Last of the Europe 2020 flagship initiatives launched
First Thematic booklet
First thematic booklet on “Green Infrastructure- Sustainable Investments for the Benefit of Both People and Nature” launched
EU Commission call for action
"Regional Policy contributing to Sustainable Growth in Europe 2020"
Nature conservation in Operational Programmes
Launch of the summary of the European operational programmes analysis.
Project Workshop in Murcia on 29th March 2011
Green infrastructure and regional funding were the key subjects of the third interregional SURF Nature workshop.
Results from UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun
The conference ended with the adoption of a balanced package of decisions that sets all governments more firmly on the path towards a low-emissions future and support enhanced action on climate change in the developing world.
New atlas of soil biodiversity launched
New atlas highlights the value of Europe's soil biodiversity and reveals how it is under threat.
Where do the EU Structural Funds go?
An openly database was developed and released, which serves as a search engine for Europe wide projects financed by EU Structural Funds.
EEA released 4th SOER 2010
SOER 2010 confirms that well-designed environmental policies continue to improve Europe's environment without undermining Europe's growth potential.
Project workshop in Vienna
The second interregional workshop held on November, 26th 2010 in Vienna was focused on the topic of sustainable tourism and its funding opportunities and allocations through ERDF.
Assessing biodiversity in Europe- the 2010 Report
The new report from the EEA "Assessing biodiversity in Europe – the 2010 report" considers the status and trends of Pan-European biodiversity in a range of ecosystems, and the implications of these trends for biodiversity management policy and practice.
Solutions to end harmful subsidies in EU Budget
A new report launched on 18 November 2010 by seven green NGOs proposes concrete solutions to put an end to environmentally harmful subsidies within the EU Budget.
New Cohesion Report
On the 10 November 2010 the European Commission presented the preliminary version for reform of the EU`s cohesion policy: The fifth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Major step forward - Nagoya COP10 CBD
The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-10) held on 18.10-29.10.2010 in Nagoya has come to an end.
Communication on EU budget
Nature conservation, biodiversity target or Natura 2000 have not been discussed so far.
ENCORE report on financing Natura 2000 management
ENCORE initiated a survey on the difficulties in co-financing of the management of the Natura 2000 network.
Project Workshop in Vienna
The second interregional workshop will be held in Vienna on 25-26 November 2010
Project Output
The analysis of the 44 Operational Programmes from the partners through the SURF-Nature Project is done.
Added value of cross-border cooperation
The publication of two studies about the evaluation of cross-border cooperation programmes
ENCORE Ministers meet Mr. Janez Potočnik
Meeting between the European Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Janez Potočnik, and a delegation of ENCORE Ministers in Brussels
Green Infrastructure Conference
European Commission Conference on Green Infrastructure implementation in Brussels on November 19, 2010.
Press release on the project workshop in Wales
Within the frame of the SURF Nature Project a workshop was held in Wales on 15 Sep 2010. Here you can find a press release on the field trip and local projects in north Wales.
The Open Days 2010
The Open Days – 8th European Week of Regions and Cities (4-7 October 2010) in Brussels
Results of OP-analysis
SURF Project team analysed the nature spending in 43 Operational programmes
New partners at SURF nature
We warmly welcome our new project partners “Côte d’ Amor General Council” from France and the “Development agency Savinja” from Slovenia
The International Year of Forests 2011
Protecting forests means protecting biodiversity.
Partner Meeting and Project Workshop in Wales
The 2nd Partner Meeting and 1st Project Workshop will be held in Wales on 15th and 16th September 2010
Position of the Republic of Poland on future Cohesion Policy after 2013
The Government of the Republic of Poland released as probably one of the very first EU Members States a position on future Cohesion Policy on 18th August 2010.
EDEN-Award 2010
The EDEN project helps to spread the sustainable practices used in the chosen destinations across the Union.
New TEEB Business Report
While the first TEEB Report adressed policy makers the latest report concentrates on the responsibility of business and enterprises.
SURF - project in a local newspaper of Preveza
Our partner from Preveza edited a short report about the SURF-project...
Nota de prensa de la Región de Murcia
La Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural y Biodiversidad...
Upcoming activities
Publications of first analyses results
Latest activities on SURF
Analyses of more than 30 Operational Programmes
Latest activities on SURF
Successful events in Spain and Poland and first publication
Campaigns
to raise awareness on biodiversity and the urgent need to halt its loss
Ecosystem Services
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study is a major
Green Week
A few weeks ago, the largest annual conference on European environment policy took place in Brussels.
Green Infrastructure
One of the most evolving issues in the nature conservation debate at European level is the concept of green infrastructure.
EU biodiversity target
After failing to meet the 2010 target to halt the loss of biodiversity,
Welcome to our project website
Background of the project idea - how it all started...
