Romania leads Europe again in bringing benefits through sustainable farming
The results of the first year of the EU’s Natura 2000 awards were announced on 21 May. The winners received trophies from the European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, and members of the award Jury.
Fundatia ADEPT’ s work in the Târnava Mare area won the prize for the best project in Europe for bringing Socio-Economic Benefits to farmers in protected Areas (Natura 2000 sites). The Award declaration from the Commission described Fundatia ADEPT’s project as ‘an impressive example of Natura 2000 providing economic growth and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. The project enables farmers to make a better living by working sustainably on High Nature Value farmland, while also preserving a unique landscape with rich biodiversity. Thanks to the project, 2300 farming families in the region generate income of more than €2.5 million annually, and similar ideas are now being applied in other parts of Romania’.
This is the third year in succession that Fundatia ADEPT has won a top EU award: in 2012 and 2013, ADEPT won prizes fro DG Agriculrure and Rural Development for its effective and innovative communication with farmers. This demonstrates how Fundatia ADEPT’s effectively bridges the gap between Agriculture and Environment, bringing benefits to local farming communitiesd and to landscape-scale nature conservation. Orange Romanian and Fundatia Orange has been supporting Fundatia ADEPT’s innovative approach to rural development for 10 years.
Prince Charles demonstrated his support for Fundatia ADEPT last week, attending a festival in London celebrating Romania’s farming communities and natural landscapes, which are of European importance.
See official press release: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-584_en.htm
