Less than a week to go: Last chance to apply to the European Natura 2000 Award!

With this Award the European Commission honours best practices for nature conservation in Europe. Share your conservation success story now - you only have one more week to submit your application! The European Natura 2000 Award closes to applicants 21 January 2015.

After a highly successful first round of the European Natura 2000 Award in 2014, this year the European Commission will once again honour outstanding nature conservation achievements connected to the Natura 2000 network. The opportunity to apply to the Award scheme ends midnight 21 January.

The Award provides an excellent chance to highlight your activities connected to the protected site network, Natura 2000. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of five categories: Communication, Conservation, Socio-Economic Benefits, Reconciling Interests/Perceptions, and Cross-border Cooperation and Networking. This year, there is yet more awareness-raising potential with the newly-created "EU Citizens' Award" where the general public will be encouraged to vote for their favourite finalist project. All winners will be honoured at a high-level ceremony in Brussels on 21 May 2015, Natura 2000 Day.

How to apply: Any organisation or person involved in the network – such as regional and local authorities, businesses, NGOs, land owners, educational institutions or individuals – is invited to submit an application. The application form and more information can be sourced from the Award's website. Please also sign up to receive the award newsletter: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/awards/. For specific questions, or to make suggestions, please contact the Natura 2000 Award Secretariat: n2000awardsadelphi [dot] de (n2000awards[at]adelphi[dot]de).

Natura 2000 is a network of over 27,000 protected sites of high biodiversity value. It covers 18 per cent of the EU landmass and four per cent of marine areas, protecting and enhancing Europe's valuable and threatened natural heritage. The European Natura 2000 Award recognises excellence in the network's site management and highlights the most effective and innovative initiatives, showcasing the value of this diverse and precious network for local communities and economies.

adelphi continues to support the Commission in all aspects of the organisation and implementation of the competition.