15 December 2010: The European Commission has launched two online consultations: on the next financial instrument for the environment; and on the financing of Natura 2000, the EU’s network of protected areas. Both consultations run until mid-February 2011 and are open to national, regional and local administrations, environmental stakeholders, the private sector and the general public.

The first consultation will focus on LIFE+, an instrument that currently provides grants for: nature and biodiversity, environment policy and governance, and information and communication. The latter includes communication and awareness-raising campaigns on EU environmental policy and prevention of forest fires. Opinions are solicited on objectives, priorities and modes of support for future funding.

The consultation on financing Natura 2000 will feed into a communication expected to be released by the European Commission in the summer of 2011, assessing the current approach to financing the EU’s protected area network. The consultation seeks views as to whether the approach taken so far has been adequate for the effective implementation of the protected area network, and as to how to enhance successes to date. [EU Press Release] [Consultation on LIFE+] [Consultation on Natura 2000]