Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Romania)

Through the sectoral operational programme ‘Environment’ (SOP Environment) which is the programming document of the Structural and Cohesion Funds (SCF), the strategy regarding the allocation of European funds was realised in order to develop the environmental sector in Romania between 2007–13.

The major objectives of the SOP concerning nature protection and biodiversity are covered by Axis 4 — Nature Protection through both management of nature protected areas and implementing the Natura 2000 network. Funds allocated for the environmental sector for the period 2007–13 amounts to more than EUR 5.6 billion. This funding comes from two EU funds — the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF). The strategy and distribution of these funds for the environmental sector is achieved in the sectoral operational program ‘Environment’.

Projects funded in this sector aim to ensure the appropriate management of protected natural areas and, by default, halt biodiversity loss and degradation of natural resources. Particular attention will be given to the management of Natura 2000 sites.