The Biodiversity Foundation, the Ministry of the Environment and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, FEMP, launch the “I Competition for projects to increase biodiversity”. The aim of this initiative is to finance the best projects proposed to harmonise conservation and sustainability policies aimed at increasing biodiversity. In particular, the aim is to encourage the conservation of biodiversity in rural areas.

This competition, which is held annually, is aimed at City Councils, Provincial Councils, Island Councils and Island Councils belonging to the FEMP and that are members of the Network of Local Governments + Biodiversity 2010. This Network, which is a Section of the FEMP, is aimed at promoting local policies for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the conservation of natural heritage and the promotion of rural development with sustainability criteria. Interested institutions should submit projects that are being carried out in their territory, aimed at increasing biological diversity. The contest is divided into two categories: A) City Councils and B) Provincial Councils, Councils and Island Councils. Projects may be submitted for a maximum amount of 200,000 euros, including all taxes and expenses derived from the project, and only a single project submitted by the same entity may be the winner. A total of five prizes will be awarded, three to category A and two to category B. The deadline for applications is 8 January 2008 (inclusive).

The “I Competition of projects for the increase of Biodiversity” is part of the agreements signed between the Biodiversity Foundation, the Ministry of the Environment and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. Thus, in October 2006 the Ministry of the Environment and the FEMP signed an agreement for the implementation of a Common Strategy for the Preservation of Biodiversity, with the aim of promoting the development of a set of actions necessary for a balanced integration of social, economic and environmental factors aimed at achieving a sustainable use of resources and the preservation of biodiversity in the field of Local Administrations.

For their part, the Biodiversity Foundation and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, FEMP, signed a collaboration agreement in December 2006 for the creation of the Network of Local Governments + Biodiversity 2010 and the launch of the competition for incentives to increase biodiversity among the members of the Network.

The rules of the “I Competition of projects for the increase of Biodiversity” are incorporated attached in an attached document. They can also be consulted on the website of the Biodiversity Foundation www.fundacion-biodiversidad.es