The sub-programme for the Environment concentrates on three priority areas:

1. Environment and Resource Efficiency
2. Nature and Biodiversity
3. Environmental Governance and Information

Below you can see the specific objectives under each of the 3p

1. Environment and Resource Efficiency

Specific objectives are:

• to develop, test and demonstrate policy or management approaches, best practices and solutions, including development and demonstration of innovative technologies, to environmental challenges, suitable for being replicated, transferred or mainstreamed, including with respect to the link between the environment and health, and in support of resource efficiency –related policy and legislation, including the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe;
• to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of plans and programmes pursuant to Union environmental  policy and legislation, primarily in the areas of water, waste and air;
• to improve the knowledge base for the development, implementation, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of Union environmental policy and legislation, and for the assessment and monitoring of the factors, pressures and responses that impact on the environment within and outside the Union,

2. Nature and Biodiversity

Specific objectives are:

• To contribute to the development and implementation of Union policy and legislation in the area of Nature and biodiversity, including the Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, and Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in particular by applying, developing, testing and demonstrating approaches, best practices and solutions;
• To support the further development the further development, implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network set up under Article 3 of Directive 92/43/EEC, in particular the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of the prioritised action frameworks prepared on the basis of Article 8 of that Directive.
• To improve the knowledge base for the development, implementation, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of Union nature and biodiversity policy and legislation, and for the assessment and monitoring of the factors, pressures and responses that impact on nature and biodiversity within and outside the Union.

3. Environmental Governance and Information

Specific objectives are:

• To promote awareness raising on environmental matters, including generating public and stakeholder support of Union policy-making in the field of the environment, and to promote knowledge on sustainable development and new patterns for sustainable consumption;
• To support communication, management, and dissemination of information in the field of the environment, and to facilitate knowledge sharing on successful environmental solutions and practice, including by developing cooperation platforms among stakeholders and training;
• To promote and contribute to more effective compliance with and enforcement of Union environmental  legislation, in particular by promoting the development and dissemination of best practices and policy approaches;

To promote better environmental governance by broadening stakeholder involvement, including NGOs, in consultation on and  implementation of policy.

• Environment and Climate Change

• NGOs
• Private Bodies
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
• State-owned Enterprises

Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment (Cyprus)
Ms. Marilena PAPASTAVROU
Environment Officer
Telephone: 22 408926
E-mail: mpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy
Fax: 22 774945

DG Environment: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/contact/lifeunit.htm