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The Project

Why? Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. although a priority habitat (code: 2250*) of the Habitats Directive, are facing various threats such as reduced natural regeneration, lack of public awareness and pressures from tourism, grazing, woodcutting etc, which need to be actively managed in a sustainable way in order to ensure the habitats long term conservation.

What? JUNICOAST aims to promote and enable the long term conservation of the coastal dunes with Juniperus spp habitats in Greece by a) consolidating a knowledge base for its protection, restoration and monitoring, b) by halting present natural and anthropogenic threats and implementing actions for its protection and restoration, and finally by c) providing support for better environmental governance in NATURA 2000 sites through stakeholder involvement and training

Who? JUNICOAST consists of a partnership between the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) who are coordinators and he National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) as well as the PTA which will implement the conservation actions in collaboration with the Forest Directorates of Lasithi and Chania. Most importantly JuniCoast envisages to obtain the support of local, national and international stakeholders, through the creation of a network to ensure the long term sustainability of the projects outcomes.

When? JUNICOAST started in January 2009 and will last for 56 months. During the first year investigations (preparatory actions) will be carried out as well as stakeholder and local consultation to ensure the sustainability of proposed concrete conservation actions, which will be implemented and monitored and disseminated until the end of the project.

 


LIFE


 

The LIFE Programme is a European Union financial instrument that promotes the development of environmental conservation initiatives.

LIFE+, the new Financial Instrument for the Environment has entered into force in June 2007. It provides opportunities for funding projects supporting environmental and nature conservation initiatives for the period 2007-2013. LIFE+ consists of three thematic components, according to their objectives:

  • LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity
  • LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance
  • LIFE+ Information & Communication h3.

JUNICOAST

JUNICOAST is one of the four Greek LIFE+ Nature projects selected for co-funding under the first call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2013). 

JUNICOAST BUDGET: Total budget: 1.501.210 €

EC contribution: 1.125.908 € (75%)
Beneficiaries contribution: 375.302 € (25%)

BENEFICIARIES:

Coordinating Beneficiary: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies / Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (CIHEAM – MAICh).

Associated beneficiary (1): National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Biology, Department of Botany (NKUA).
Associated beneficiary (2): Region of Crete, Regional Development Fund of Crete (PTA) [Forest Directorate of Chania (FDC), Forest Directorate of Lasithi (FDL)].

DURATION:

56 months (1/1/2009 – 31/8/2013)