Inspection Planning Tool for Natura 2000 Sites(NIRAM) and A Roadmap for Project Series on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Project Overview

Europe’s biodiversity is facing a significant decline, prompting the European Union to take action through key legislation—the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive—to protect the continent’s most valuable species and habitats across their natural range.

This project addresses two main areas of focus:

1. Enhancing Inspections of Natura 2000 Sites

To strengthen the implementation of the Nature Directives, a user-friendly and adaptable tool called the NIRAM Tool has been developed. Inspired by the IRAM tool, NIRAM is designed to optimize the planning of inspections across Natura 2000 protected areas.

The EU Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy (COM(2017)198) highlights several key barriers to effective conservation: limited resources, poor enforcement, and insufficient data integration. NIRAM directly addresses these issues by offering a systematic approach to inspection planning, helping authorities focus resources where they are most needed.

Project activities in this area include:

• Finalizing training materials for the tool
• Collecting feedback from users
• Providing further training to relevant personnel
• Ensuring the tool supports efficient, strategic inspections

2. Tackling Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

The second core focus supports the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species (1143/2014). This regulation aims to prevent, minimize, and manage the impacts of invasive species on native biodiversity.

While progress has been made, the European Commission’s 2021 report on IAS implementation highlights persistent challenges: insufficient funding, administrative gaps, and a lack of comprehensive surveillance systems in several Member States.

To address these gaps, this project will:

• Support the development and implementation of national action plans
• Share best practices and case studies across countries
• Create guidance materials and checklists to clarify obligations under the regulation
• Improve understanding and management approaches among Member States

Looking Ahead: 2025–2027

Building on the 2023–2024 development of a Roadmap for Projects on IAS, the next phase (2025–2027) will put this roadmap into action. With a strong focus on nature protection and environmental inspection authorities, upcoming activities will aim to strengthen enforcement, enhance cooperation, and close key knowledge gaps.

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