LENA
Project partner
13 project partners from 7 countries
an overview of all project partners:
Project duration
Project duration
Total budget
EU funding programme
Lead partner
Further information
Financial instruments
EU co-financing
ERDF: € 1.92 million
IPA: € 164,414
(Funding rate is 85%)
Project measures
- Elaboration of Guides to sustainable resource use and management of protected areas (based on experience from 11 pilot areas):
Thematic priorities: Communication, sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage, access to sustainable market products as well as funding for protected areas and the creation of "green" jobs. - Knowledge generation and support through pilot projects (Danube Guides/E-Mobility):
Curriculum development as well as training and education of "Danube-Guides" (experts in the field of nature and culture along the Danube). - Creation of new income opportunities in the nature conservation sector.
- Elaboration of Policy recommendations for the sustainable use of protected areas and improved framework conditions: Development of recommendations for action based on the project results with a focus on management of protected areas and the creation of "green" jobs.
Project goals
The Danube Region has a large number of rare and protected natural areas, species and landscapes worth seeing. More than 70 nature reserves and more than one thousand Natura2000 sites provide multiple ecosystem services for the Danube Region and its population. The protected status of these areas and the resulting regulations have a negative impact on local development in many areas of the Danube Region, which is already characterised by weak economic development (low wages), migration and the consequences of socio-demographic change (ageing of the population).
To counteract these challenges, the EU project "LENA - Local Economy and Nature Conservation in the Danube Region" aims to develop joint approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of natural protected areas (especially Natura2000 sites) along the Danube. At the same time, new income opportunities are to be created in the nature-oriented economic sector and thus opportunities for economic upswing. The EU project started on 01.01.2017 and includes 11 protected areas, more than 15 Natura2000 sites and about half a million people.
Press releases
Kick-off in Sofia
1st Newsletter on the LENA Project
August 2017
LENA is connecting nature and people for well-being and prosperity across 7 Danube countries and 11 protected areas.
2nd Newsletter on the LENA Project
December 2017
LENA - Common points and future collaboration between DTP`s landscape and biodiversity projects
Partner meeting in Ulm
January 2018
Electromobility on two wheels as core topics of the third LENA partner meeting
Train the Trainer Workshop
April 2018
Nature, Culture and Sustainable Development: Training of
"Danube Guide" trainers along the Danube
4th LENA Partner Meeting
3rd Newsletter on the LENA Project
Summary of the successes achieved
June 2018
Summary of the successes achieved in the LENA project, official press release from June 2018