Green projects with the support of the Swiss Contribution 6 December 2012
Projects that have been awarded grants by the Swiss Contribution in the areas of environmental initiatives, biological diversity and environmental protection have been started to be implemented. The six developments in the area of environment protection is going to be realized with a support of nearly HUF 2 billion – the news was reported at the press conference of the National Development Agency and the Swiss Contribution Office in Felsőtárkány, on Tuesday.
The European Union and Switzerland signed a bilateral agreement in the first half of 2006, under which Switzerland contributes a total of CHF 1 billion for 5 years to the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004. Hungary's share of this amount is a gross CHF 130,738,000 (approximately HUF 30.07 billion at today's exchange rate). With its commitment to the new EU Member States, Switzerland wishes to express its solidarity with Europe. As a responsible partner Switzerland is willing to take an active part in the development assistance provided to Central and Eastern Europe, and strives to build solid economic and political ties with the new Member States.
The prudent use of natural resources and the protection of the ecological systems are crucial to the maintenance of long-term well-being and quality of life in Europe. That is why Switzerland decided to support environmental projects in Hungary with the amount of almost HUF 2 billion. The donors have granted the resources with the aim of contributing to sustainable development, which, in turn, ensures the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, with special regard to the social, ecological and economic needs – by this the basic ecological processes may be preserved and the decline of biological diversity may be stopped. The projects may help reduce the negative impacts that human activities have on health and the environment.
Calls for proposals have been issued in the area themed to "Environmental initiatives, biodiversity and nature protection" for the implementation of pattern projects and studies that aim to lay basis to the tasks related to the preservation of Natura 2000 species and habitats , as well as for campaigns calling attention to the protection of protected natural assets.
The approved and already started developments include projects that aim to improve awareness on environmental issues, the culture and ethics in regard to the environment, as well as to expand the Green Nursery and Eco-School Programs, or to scan and evaluate the environmental status of forest ecosystems, forest types and certain animal groups in the Northern Hills area. A number of projects are going to be implemented in Natura 2000 areas, e.g. for the improvement of public awareness of the protected natural areas, nature conservation, and the level of protection, or for preparation of surveys on the population of different animal species, or for initiatives for working out monitoring methodology.
Further project information: www.svajcihozzajarulas.hu and www.swiss-contribution.hu websites.