As any other project funded by LIFE Programme, LIFE VIDALIA ultimately aims a better implementation of European Union environmental policies regarding Biodiversity preservation, such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Habitats Directive. Besides, the project presents a multi-purpose and capacity building framework consisting of several actions that will deliver on its core objectives, while simultaneously evidencing other benefits, creating synergies and achieving results in other EU policy areas.
Habitats Directive
The Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora was adopted with the goal of contributing to the preservation of threatened habitats and wild fauna and flora across the countries of the European Union. A direct and significant contribution of the project for the objectives of LIFE will be its direct impact towards improving the conservation status of species of Community Interest and Priority for Conservation.
EU Biodiversity Strategy
The EU Biodiversity Strategy aims to stop the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the European Union and help fight the global loss of species by 2020. Within LIFE VIDALIA foresees clear contributes on the accomplishment of such strategy targets, including:
a) delivery of technical advice for relevant stakeholders to work in favor of biodiversity, and dissemination of good practices to encourage them to protect and enhance biodiversity;
b) setting in practice reliable mechanisms to monitor, prevent, eradicate and control Invasive Alien Species, which also contributes to the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species;
c) ensuring works and results in line with international commitments, including those of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (target 6). Under this context, to highlight also that works involve one island classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (São Jorge) and officially designated Ramsar Sites.