References

International: The Global Forest Risk Registry - a tool to avoid buying controversial wood (on-going)

In collaboration with FSC and the Rainforest Alliance, NEPCon is developing an online tool to avoid sourcing wood from controversial sources. A website containing an interactive world map is already launched, and is planned to be developed further Read more

Denmark: New tool in FSC and PEFC chain of custody certification (ongoing)

NEPCon is developing a tool to facilitate FSC and PEFC CoC certification. By integrating the requirements of the two standards into a single list and providing user guidance, companies will face a more straightforward job of complying with applicable rules Read more

Denmark: Contractor certification - a shortcut to certification of smallholders (ongoing)

 In collaboration with the Danish Forestry Extension and the Danish Forest Contractors’ Association, NEPCon is launching a project that uses contractor certification as a key tool to improve Danish smallholders’ access to certification. Read more

Belarus: Strengthen NGOs and consumer awareness (ongoing)
NEPCon is involved in a project which aims to support and empower Belarusian environmental NGOs. NEPCon will assist in preparing a strategy to encourage eco-labeling schemes through promoting active consumer choice and responsible industry approaches in Belarus. Read more

Cyprus (Northern part): Technical Assistance for management and protection of potential NATURA 2000 sites (ongoing)
NEPCon is involved in a project assisting the Turkish Cypriot community to prepare for NATURA 2000 implementation in the northern part of Cyprus. The project involves capacity building, management planning for six sites, development of infrastructure related to nature conservation, and stakeholder communication. Read more

Romania: Vocational Training for Private Forest Owners (2007)
NEPCon (lead company) and IUCN Poland implemented a project involving vocational training of 400 private forest managers and employees. Due to a privatization process, vocational training of private forest owners is key to secure financially and environmentally sustainable forest management in Romania. Read more

Turkey: Black Sea Conservation and Forestry Network (2007)

Together with the Faculty of Forestry at Kastamonu University (lead), NEPCon implemented the project Black Sea Conservation and Forestry Network - towards local action and market-based measures. The project aimed to develop the capacity of the forestry and NGO sectors in the Turkish Black Sea region, and was funded by the EU Civil Society Dialogue Programme.

As partner in a Consortium led by DHI Water & Environment, NEPCon is involved in a new project in Lithuania The project is supported by the Transition Facility of the EU Phare program. The consortium also includes two Lithuanian partners: Institute of Ecology at Vilnius University and the company HNIT- Baltic Geoinfoservisas. Read more

The project aims to develop sustainable land use methods and develop marketing schemes that enable the Kola Saami people to improve their livelihoods. Read more

Experts from NEPCon participated in a project developing efficient tools for verification of legal wood in Russia. The project was implemented by WWF in collaboration with the Russian Federal Forest Agency and four pilot forest operations Read more

Drafting a new charter for the Ukrainian REC office and assisting with legal advice on the establishment of a new legal entity in the country.

NEPCon prepared an analysis examining the adequacy of existing national legislation to control imports of illegal timber to Estonia. The analysis was used as inputs to the report “Assessment of additional measures to exclude illegal timber from EU markets” prepared by Chatham House as part of the EU FLEGT process.

The aim of the project was to develop innovative market-based mechanisms that counteract illegal logging in Latvia, as one important step in the protection of biodiversity in Latvia’s forests. Read more

Lithuania: Development of Management Plans in Protected Areas (2004-2005)
The project concerned the full-scale implementation of Natura 2000 in Lithuania. Inter alia, it included the development of management plans for 60 designated Natura 2000 sites. Read more

Poland: Elaboration of management plans for selected sites proposed for the NATURA 2000 network (2004-2005)
The project prepared model management plans for 7 Natura 2000 sites spanning a variety of natural habitats and species protected by the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

NEPCon has conducted several assignments related to grazing by wild animals as part of nature management. Read more

NEPCon participated in the environmental impact assessment of a windmill park at the Danish West coast by monitoring the impact of the windmills on birds for two years using techniques such as night vision scope, laser range finder and radar. In addition key bird species in the area were surveyed.

The overall aim of the project was to achieve FSC group certification of private forest owners on a broad scale in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. NEPCon developed a group certification toolkit for the Baltic countries, as part of a project supported by IKEA. The project was carried out in partnership between IKEA, WWF and NEPCon.  Read more

The project supported the national designation of Natura 2000 sites in Lithuania based on scientific criteria and public hearings. Read more

Part of NEPCon's non-profit funds for 2004 went into initiating a network for Nordic researchers interested in conducting research within the pristine area of Maliau Basin.

The project supported strengthening of the capacity of Kola Saami organisations to establish sustainable livelihoods for the Saami people in the Kola Peninsula. Read more

Assistance to the Danish Forest and Nature Agency in reviewing applications for funding through the EU LIFE-Nature instrument.

Denmark: Guidelines for the Procurement of Tropical Timber by Public Bodies (2002-2003)
Initiated by the Danish Parliament, the project developed guidelines to help institutions ensure that the timber they purchase is produced in a legal and sustainable manner. Read more

The project increased the capacity of the Estonian Fund for Nature to act as a focal point for environmental NGOs using the Aarhus Convention in their work.

Malaysia: Management of Maliau Basin Conservation Area (1999-2003)

The project prepared, implemented and institutionalized a management plan for Maliau Basin in Sabah. The area, also known as “the Lost World”, is famous for its inaccessibility and pristine condition. Read more

The project developed a book popularizing the results of a ground-breaking qualitative ethnobotanical study conducted in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Read more

The project identified potential Natura 2000 peatland sites and involved the elaboration of management plans for six selected peatland areas in a stakeholder-based process. The project also developed educational materials on peatland ecology. Read more

This project provided technical assistance to the Wildlife Department of the Ministry of Environment of Malaysia. The project was held by Rambøll. NEPCon provided 3 experts within Botanical Inventories, Monitoring, and Ethnobotany. 

Lithuania: Approximation of Lithuanian capacity, policies and procedures on nature protection to EU requirements (1999-2001) 
The project supported the alignment of national legislation, habitat classification and data handling in order to comply with EU nature conservation requirements, and supported Lithuania in the negotiations with the EU. Read more

Estonia: Estonian Forest Conservation Area Network (1999-2001)
The project developed guidelines and criteria for selecting especially valuable forest areas to be included into the Estonia Forest Conservation Area Network, and conducted woodland nature value assessments covering the entire country. The result was later used to identify forest areas for inclusion into Estonia's Natura 2000 network. Read more 

This project provided training and experience exchange among nature conservation professionals across Europe.  The training covered biodiversity conservation in open natural areas as well as forest areas and veteran trees. Read more

As a Panda-prize project awarded by WWF-Denmark, NEPCon prepared an analysis of the possibilities to establish a forest national park in Denmark, and introduce native but extinct Danish animal species. The report was finalized in 2000.

This project provided technical assistance to the Department of Nature Protection, Ministry of Environment in Estonia. Subcontracted by the Danish company Ramboll, NEPCon provided technical advice on habitat and species classification, public awareness raising, wildlife management, and environmental information system development.

Throughout 1997, NEPCon was responsible for coordinating the Secretariat of the Danish Working Group for elaboration of FSC-Guidelines for forest certification. This included organisation of regular meetings, follow-up on dialogue and requests, and participation in the international FSC process.

 NEPCon prepared a conservation plan for a military area and a nature reserve with special consideration to sustainable forestry, protection of biodiversity, rare and endangered species, visitor facilities and a unique landscape. The project was supported by Harju County in Estonia in coooperation with Aarhus County in Denmark.

 Using a participatory approach, the project developed and tested a set of guidelines for sustainable forest management in Denmark at forest estate level. The project was financed by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency. Read more