Conservation at its best – The European Natura 2000 Award 2022

The European Commission launched the European Natura 2000 Award to increase awareness of the Natura 2000 network among EU citizens. The network links different areas protected under the EU Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive and aims to protect habitats and species in areas of special ecological importance. After a successful launch in 2014 and the subsequent award ceremonies in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020, adelphi is once again helped the European Commission to host and improve the awards for the 2022 edition.

Despite being the world’s biggest supranational network of conservation areas, Natura 2000 is known to few EU citizens. The European Natura 2000 Award has potential to significantly raise awareness of the network among the general public. The award also highlights exemplary projects that help conserve natural areas and species throughout the EU and promotes exchange among all those involved in management and communication for Natura 2000. As in previous years, the 2022 awards was awarded in different categories. For the fifth time, there was a  European public choice award: citizens could vote online to select the winner of the European Citizens’ Award.

adelphi and two partners manged the Natura 2000 Award Secretariat 2022 on behalf of the European Commission. The Secretariat was responsible for the application and evaluation process, organising the award ceremony, handling the PR and organising further events at the local level.