I attach here with his kind permission an interview with Karl Hansen, Director of the Living Rainforest, Berkshire.
Under the former LIFE programme Karl drew down some €2 million to support development of a new form of tropical glass house exhibit.See: life-environment-eu-interest-group-interview-with-karl-hansen-final-jan07-2.doc
The new LIFE+ programme will open in September and close again by the end of November. In addition to the above, funding can be provided for appropriate native species and eco-systems and for environmental communication. Please get in contact for further information on these.
John Regan
4 Comments
September 20, 2007 at 10:49 am
We are nopw struggling to set up a public aquarium in Romania. Is there any chance to get EU funds for this endeavour?
I would very much appreciate your answer on the email.
Many thanks,
Florin
September 24, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Dear Florin,
There are a number of options as to EU funding for your project.
1. The first to look at is the possibility of accessing the EU Structural Funds. Following accession at the start of this year Romania has access to some €19 billion. To win this funding your aquarium project would have to fit the national plan and to show benefits in terms of job creation, tourism, native biodiversity, etc (I am sure it could do all of these). If you want to know more on this come back to me.
2. The second is through LIFE+. You would have to show either that you are using new environmental technology and/ or spreading an important messgae on European biodiversity
3. If your project is in a rural area, you may also have acess to Rural Development Funds
4. Finally there may be potential through an Interreg partnership with other zoos and aquaria in other parts of the EU
I hope this is useful to you. Please ask if you want more info
la revedereh
John
September 25, 2007 at 10:02 am
Dear John,
Unfortunately, the Structural Funds Plans for Romania does not provide for this type of investment, as far as I know- I will keep inquiering National Authorities, anyway.
Life + seems to be a valuable additional source, at least for part of investment.
Do you know, by chance, a Public aquarium in the EU which may be interested in a join proposal with us, to the Life+ and possible for other cooperation issues? Worth mentioning that this aquarium is a “green field” investment.
TY!
OT-PS- TY to for the Romanian salutation- you are very kind.
October 8, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Dear Florin
My apologies for not reverting to you earlier, but I have been on a short holiday in Turkey.
I would be surprised if there was absolutely no possibility of a project such as yours accessing Structural Funds - if you can make a case as to its generating jobs, tourist spend, a new sense of place, educational opportunities etc. However I am not very familiar with the Romanian National Plan for these funds. If you have access to a copy (in English) I would be interested.
A conversation with one of the EU officials in Brussels a while back who formerly dealt with funding for Bulgaria certainly suggested that, with some political support, this kind of project would be fundable. I attach a paper I did for UK zoos in terms of funding through an economic development role which may be of some interest.
I shall give some thought to Aquaria who might be interested in partnerships with yourselves. However please note you don’t actually need a partner to bid for LIFE+ funds
Pe curand!
John
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