The GESTIRE2020 project foresees the creation and maintenance of new regional ecological network connections in the next 10 years, also on the basis of the results obtained by the Gestire and TIB projects; the aim is to increase ecological connections of the territory in particular within the Natura 2000 network.

GESTIRE2020 includes a first planning phase (action A5) and a second phase (action C4) to achieve habitat conservation and improvement, combined with communication activities and dissemination of good practices (action E10).

Planning (A5) is needed to define the specific requirements of the ecological network, to contribute to the functionality of the Natura 2000 network and to increase the connection between sites. In Lombardy, different eco-reconnection projects (see best practices) were carried out and numerous feasibility studies and territorial analysis already exist.

This involves organizing the available information, identifying the gaps in coherence pf the network and identifying where the actions are most urgently needed to reconnect the territory, in accordance with the priorities set on the basis of the need to reconnect areas and the feasibility of the proposed interventions.

The thematic map of priorities will provide the basis for the next phase of concrete realization of the interventions (C4).

The list of the feasibility studies and various documents related to the ecological connections to be analyzed includes projects funded by the Fondazione Cariplo and resulting from the project LIFE TIB.

Projects identified as the most appropriate for the improvement of the ecological network (based on critical issues and deficiencies) will be funded by RDP, “Fund green areas” and CARIPLO and will cover, by definition, areas outside Natura 2000 (C4 ).

A series of meetings will be held with local organizations to improve competence and awareness of local authorities and other actors (management bodies, municipalities, urban planners, architects, surveyors, landscape architects, agronomists) who can contribute in different ways, in the definition of the ecological networks (E10). Stakeholders will be able to increase their capacity to become themselves promoters of projects concerning the regional ecological network. Meetings for citizens and local organizations will be also organised to improve the level of information of the importance of ecological connections.

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