Project looks at effective conflict resolution in the Natura 2000 Network

Given the scale, scope and ambition of the Natura 2000 Network, conflicts during its establishment and management can be expected arise. However, if properly addressed most conflicts can be managed or resolved. Understanding the mechanisms of and reasons for conflict is essential to finding workable solutions and developing sustainable management practices.

Left unaddressed or ignored, conflict can become a threat to the achievement of Natura 2000 objectives. The project ‘Dealing with conflicts in the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 Network - best practices at the local/site level’ was commissioned by DG Environment in January 2009 and completed in June 2010. The project aimed to promote best practices for the implementation and management of Natura 2000 sites by assessing the causes of conflicts; identifying examples of best practices; and formulating practical recommendations to avoid and resolve conflicts.

A Europe-wide review was conducted, supported by five country studies, to assess primary sources of conflict and the strategies developed to resolve them. Twenty-four case studies of best practice from 12 countries regarding conflict resolution at site level were collected, described and analysed. In addition, a series of workshops were organized, attended by 133 participants from different groups of landowners and land users (economic sectors, NGOs, protected area administrations), to discuss their views on, and experiences of, the management of Natura 2000 areas.

In their report reviewing case studies of best practice, the project team cite a range of potential causes of conflict, including lack of information or misinformation about Natura 2000 legislation and national regulations; failure to understand the reasons why a site requires to be protected and an absence of adequate compensatory measures. They state that "inefficient, poor and ill-considered communication is often the root cause of conflict" and go on to say  that "Misunderstandings can and do arise - in turn, this can give rise to mistrust, so that views become polarised and entrenched. This is always damaging, inclining people and organisations to feel threatened as they ‘dig-in’ to defend their position, views and objectives. Left unaddressed, there is inevitably the risk of a conflict situation boiling over."

The authors acknowledge that "although there is ample information available on the Natura 2000 network, it is not always accessible to everyone, nor is it easily found or adapted to the stakeholders concerned. ... For instance, local stakeholders are often not aware of the benefits a Natura 2000 site can bring to their local businesses, like increasing number of visitors, and therefore clientele to the area ...".

Three project reports were produced:

• Current practices in solving multiple use issues of Natura 2000 sites: Conflict management strategies and participatory approaches
• A review of 24 best practice case studies
• Summary Workshop Report.

The reports can be downloaded from the ECNC website.

The project was led by Alterra, in partnership with Eurosite and ECNC. For more information contact: Project Coordinator, Irene Bouwma, Alterra (Irene.Bouwma@wur.nl), Ayşegül Çil, ECNC (cil@ecnc.org) or Neil McIntosh, Eurosite (nmcintosh@eurosite.org) 

[This news article was adapted from a news item in the ECNC newsletter, 17(4), August 2010]