Life Physis Managing Tender

Duration 01-NOV-2019 to 31-OCT -2029Total budget 16999279.00 EU contribution 10199035.00 Project descriptionBackgroundCyprus is among the top five EU countries in terms of land area covered by the Natura 2000 network 28.8. The Natura 2000 network in Cyprus includes 63 marine and terrestrial sites covering 1 789 km2. Cyprus hosts 48 habitat types included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive 13 of which constitute priority habitats. A large proportion 60 of the Natura 2000 area is located within State Forest Land with 26 sites hosting significant forest areas and over 15 of the sites surface covered by Annex I forest habitat types. In terms of species conservation Cyprus hosts 38 Annex II species 14 priority. In total there are 58 Annex II IV and V Habitats Directive species 21 mammals 13 reptiles 3 amphibians 2 arthropods 1 fish and 18 plants. Cyprus also hosts 129 Annex I Birds Directive species.Currently knowledge gaps exist regarding both the protected habitats and species of Cyprus. The formulation of Species Actions Plans will improve their conservation status. Moreover Management Plans for all Natura 2000 sites have been drafted. However a significant number were completed at the very early stages of the networks establishment and an update is necessary. Conservation objectives were set for all 29 designated SACs. Management plans have also been prepared for all 30 SPAs setting Favourable Reference Values FRVs for targeted bird species in each site. Four governmental departments are responsible for the management of the Natura 2000 network. Therefore there is a great need for intensive and effective coordination in order to achieve the national conservation objectives. Furthermore land users owners local population and other stakeholders have demonstrated a very low acceptance of the Natura 2000 network. It is thus necessary to effectively mobilise engage and directly involve those stakeholders to change this situation.ObjectivesThe primary objective of LIFE IP PHYSIS is to achieve andor maintain a favourable conservation status for species and habitat types of community importance in Cyprus through actions in the whole Natura 2000 network. This will mainly be possible through the implementation of the Prioritised Action Framework PAF for Natura 2000 in Cyprus for the Multiannual Financing Period 2014-2020 as well as the fulfilment of several targets of the EUs 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. The projects approach is to catalyse financial support from complementary funds and to ensure synergies between policy sectors for the purpose of Natura 2000 protection.The IP addresses all the weaknesses identified in the management of the Natura 2000 network in Cyprus will fill knowledge gaps for species and habitats improve the governance of the network exploit ecosystem services and implement action and management plans for species and habitats.The specific objectives