INTERREG FR-CH «Green infrastructures in the Genevois» A concrete example of crossborder cooperation for green infrastructures Hélène LOISEAU, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Delegation in Brussels
CONTENTS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional action for green infrastructures: why and how? Spatial planning at regional scale: the SRCE (regional scheme of ecological coherence) At local scale: Green and blue contracts The INTERREG FR-CH project «Green infrastructures»: the leverage effect of EU funding for biodiversity An uncommon approach: crossborder «green and blue» contracts (FR-CH) Agriculture and biodiversity in the project (best practices on agriculture) Lessons learnt / further perspectives
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional action for green infrastructures: why and how? Spatial planning at regional scale: the SRCE (regional scheme of ecological coherence) At local scale: Green and blue contracts
A brief presentation of Rhône-Alpes (former territory) 44 000 km2 8% of France surface 6 million people 10% of French population 8 «départements» varied climatic influences continental, alpine, Mediterranean 3 major mountain ranges Alps, Jura, Massif Central
A brief presentation of Rhône-Alpes High level of biodiversity Remarkable natural areas = 20% of surface 190 sites with a strong level of protection, = 4,5% of surface but a territory under pressure Growing urbanization, artificialisation of landscapes Dense road and train network Many obstacles on streams Crossborder zone with Switzerland particularly sensitive
2010-2014 : From a proactive policy to a regulatory tool 2014: Regional Ecological Coherence Scheme (compulsory land planning tool) A landplanning tool with a regulatory power toward landplanning schemes at inferior scales Integrate ecological infrastructures in regulatory documents and land development projects Synergize public policies Encourage the emergence of projects
SRCE : Mapping Corridors 1:100.000e Biodiversity hotspots (25% territory) Corridors (266) Global connections or localised and constrained Blue component (15 000 km of streams +155 000 ha of wetlands ) Example of corridor connecting biodiversity hotspots Permeable spaces (2/3 territory) global connectivity of territory Example of corridor connecting permeable spaces
At local scale, green and blue contracts a 5 year action plan based on a detailed map of ecological networks of the territory (1:25.000) involve several key partners of the territory coordinated by a local public authority Region RA funds these projects up to 2 M / contract Co-funding from European Regional Fund or Water Agency Examples of actions : educative programs for scholars, renaturation of streams or wetlands, promotion of agri-environmental practices, building crossover bridges,...
Biodiversity in Rhône-Alpes: the added value of EU funds 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 Montant total subv FEDER FEADER
The INTERREG Fr-CH project «Biological corridors»: the leverage effect of EU funding for biodiversity An uncommon approach: crossborder «green and blue» contracts (FR-CH) Agriculture and biodiversity in the project (best practice on agriculture)
A crossborder project for green infrastructures Sensitive zone, with high pressures on biodiversity Necessity of the leverage effect of EU funds: possibility offered by the France-Switzerland INTERREG Program Articulation and coordination with existing contracts (especially on land planning issue)
Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures» Objectives : conserving and restoring green infrastructure networks, especially crossborders Duration: +/- 3 years (August 2012- June 2015) Lead partner: RRA - GE State 16 partners, Local authorities and asssociations (mainly French) Budget : 2 440 K FEDER : 964 K Subv. RRA : 132 K 31 actions
THE PARTNERSHIP Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures»
LOCALISATION Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures»
LAND PLANNING REALISATIONS Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures» Trees management to support the great longhorn beetle Management plan«la Feuillée» Management of the Boissey golf
Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures» COMMUNICATION REALISATIONS Exposition «Infrastructures of love» Final conference: 2 days, more than 300 people 4 thematic workshops with 30-50 people https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=ffz5p4todnw
Lessons learnt / further perspectives
Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures» STRENGHTS AND BENEFITS Strong issue in national and regional policies RRA lead partner Strong and committed team Strenghtening of an existing partnership with further perspectives (some actions not realized during the project were developed afterwards)
Interreg FR CH Project «Genevois Green infrastructures» DIFFICULTIES Insufficient realization and budget utilisation Different working habits Long and complex processes and payments Land ownership issues Late CAP funding Lack of HR in RRA and among the partners + competences
Future prospects The regional structure New Region since January 2016: 2 SRCE Will become a new multi-thematic regional scheme (SRADDET) from 2019 Continuity of crossborders projects Continuity of actions in the frame of the contracts Lighthouse project: construction of eco-bridge Success of the experience: new ALCOTRA project on biodiversity
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Dynamic cartography online : www.srce.rhonealpes.fr Rhone-Alpes biodiversity website : http://biodiversite.rhonealpes.fr Hélène LOISEAU Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes helene.loiseau@auvergnerhonealpes.fr + (33) 4 26 73 61 01