LIFE programme - Country Factsheet

ESTONIA
Overview
Since the launch of the LIFE programme by the European Commission in 1992, a total of 31 projects have been financed in Estonia. Of these, 10 focus on environmental innovation, 16 on nature conservation, three on capacity building and two on information and communication. These projects represent a total investment of 32 million, of which 16 million was contributed by the European Union. Every year a call for project proposals is launched covering its three components: Nature and Biodiversity, Environment Policy and Governance, and Information and Communication. You will find more details on these and all recent LIFE projects in Estonia in the annexed lists.

This document provides an overview of LIFE in Estonia. It showcases success stories and ongoing initiatives, indicates how to find further information on the projects and provides a list of current projects in Annex.

Last update: 2/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Environment Policy and Governance

To date, the LIFE Environment and LIFE Environment Policy and Governance components have cofinanced ten projects in Estonia. This represents a total investment of 18 million of which 7 million has been contributed by the European Union. Completed projects have tackled issues such as water quality, waste water treatment notably to reduce pollution by priority hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, and groundwater protection. The projects were carried out by public bodies (national and local authorities) and an NGO. They had an average duration of 34 months. There are two ongoing projects in Estonia. The objectives of these projects include: to demonstrate the conversion of oil-shale ash into a material that can be used in the construction sector; and to develop and demonstrate a novel approach to environmental monitoring, based on metagenomic data, and using modern biotechnology and IT technologies. The beneficiaries are a university and a public enterprise. The expected duration of the projects is 30 and 71 months. The project presented in the box below is an example of a successful LIFE Environment project in Estonia.

Baltic actions for reduction of pollution of the Baltic Sea from priority hazardous substances (BaltActHaz) LIFE07/ENV/EE/000122
The BaltActHaz project gathered new data and information on hazardous substances in the aquatic environment in and around the Baltic States. It demonstrated methods for reducing the use of hazardous substances at different management levels. The project analysed sources of the target hazardous substances, addressed these through the development of optimised environmental permits, and drew up a set of methods by which pilot installations could reduce their use of hazardous substances, and consequently the level of pollution in the Baltic aquatic environment. For several companies, the project's activities led to a direct reduction in emissions of hazardous substances. The project also raised stakeholder awareness, involving them in the discussion on improving the management of hazardous substances, and encouraging them to take further steps to reduce the release of hazardous substances into water. Finally, the project led to a new LIFE project, called BaltInfoHaz, which is funded under the LIFE Information and Communication component. This project will build on the BaltActHaz project to promote demand in the three Baltic states for products that are free from hazardous substances, and to promote behavioural change so that society moves from environmental passivity to active participation in efforts to address environmental issues.

For further information: http://www.baltacthaz.bef.ee/

Last update: 2/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Nature and Biodiversity

To date, the LIFE Nature and LIFE Nature and Biodiversity components have co-financed 16 projects in Estonia. This represents a total investment of 11.5 million, of which 7 million has been contributed by the European Union. Among the 12 closed projects, three dealt with the conservation/management of Natura 2000 biotopes/habitats (Karula National Park, Rpina polder and Kopu Peninsula). The remaining projects focused on the protection/recovery of priority species (the European mink, the Great crested newt, the spotted eagle, the black storck and endangered freshwater fish species in the Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area) and habitats (the Hdemeeste wetland complex and the Boreal Baltic Coastal Meadow). The projects were mostly carried out by NGOs/Foundations and Parks/Reserve authorities and had an average duration of 43 months. There are four ongoing projects in Estonia under the LIFE Nature and Biodiversity component. One project implemented by the Estonian Environmental Board over a 60-month period aims to secure the small and isolated populations of Leucorrhinia pectoralis and common spadefoot toad in the northern part of their distribution range in Estonia and Denmark. It will also draw up conservation measures for successful population management of these species, applicable on a wider national and European scale, thereby ensuring their long-term viability. The goal of the second project is to improve the conservation status of the coastal meadow and costal lagoon habitats in Prnu, as well as the species profile of these habitats. This will be achieved by the implementation of different management actions as well as by raising awareness among local residents and visitors about the ecological value of the project sites. Of the two most recently selected projects, one aims over a 54month period - to prevent the degradation of petrifying spring habitats and to achieve or maintain their favourable conservation status, while the other project, which runs from July 2013 to December 2017, aims to restore the River Laevas natural riverbed in the Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 site, as well as its alluvial meadow, in order to provide important habitats for birds. Both projects are being coordinated by the NGO Wildlife Estonia. The project presented in the box below is an example of a successful LIFE Nature project in Estonia. This project was selected as one of the Best LIFE projects in 2008-2009.

Saving life in meanders and oxbow lakes of Emajgi River on AlamPedja NATURA2000 area (HAPPYFISH) LIFE07/NAT/EE/000120
This project focused on the rehabilitation of oxbow lakes, which resulted in the reopening of connections with the main river. The restoration work carried out had a positive impact on a 14 700 metre stretch of the river (50.2 hectares of water surface). Sediments were removed on a 720 m section of the river, while the restoration of the alluvial meadows resulted in the creation of more than 50 ha of spawning ground. Moreover, the reopening of meanders and the management of floodplains made it possible for fish to use a further 24 sites as spawning grounds. The reintroduction of asp consisted of the release of around 53 000 onesummer-old individuals into the Emajgi River at Alam-Pedja. The results of this action were analysed and will help in the planning of further reintroductions of endangered fish species. A total of 70 individuals were marked in order to study their migration routes. Public awareness and dissemination actions consisted of four three-day study camps at Paluphja, the centre of the AlamPedja. Around 120 curious children and young people benefitted from these opportunities to learn more about wildlife and Natura 2000. Additionally, the project generated considerable coverage on TV, radio and in magazines, andlocal and national newspapers. It also produced a useful booklet on its conservation aims and activities. The project team also cooperated with fishermen to build a network that enables it to carry out its monitoring activities. The project received the Estonian Award for the Best Environmental Action 2011. For further information: http://www.loodushoid.ee/HAPPYFISH_LIFE__projekt_Elusti_15.htm
Last update: 2/12/13 European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Information and Communication

The projects funded under this LIFE+ component aim to disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues. They also provide training and awareness-raising on the prevention of forest fires. To date, there have been two projects funded under this component in Estonia. One project closed at the end of 2012. Its objective was to raise awareness of how to protect against forest fires and provide training in order to enhance the level of preparedness at national level. The project had a total budget of 0.3 million, of which the European Union contributed 50%. It was implemented by an Estonian NGO, the Private Forest Center. The project is presented in more detail in the box below. There is one ongoing project in Estonia. This project aims, over a 42 month period, to strengthen consumer demand in the three Baltic States for products that are free of hazardous substances. By changing consumption patterns among target stakeholder groups, the project seeks to reduce the impact of hazardous substances on human health. This project has a total budget of 1.7 million, of which the European Union is contributing 50%. The coordinating beneficiary is the Baltic Environmental Forum in Estonia.

Raising awareness for forest fires and training of forest fire agents and volunteers in Estonia (FFPE) LIFE08/INF/EE/000260
This project succeeded in producing a range of awareness-raising materials, reached out to key stakeholders on the issue of forest fire prevention, and facilitated networking amongst relevant decision-makers in Estonia. Although the project should only be seen as the start of a process to reduce the impact of forest fires, it provides both a positive example and useful materials for other countries in Northern and Eastern Europe. The project produced a set of awareness-raising materials aimed specifically at stakeholders on the issue of forest fire prevention. These included: 1. visitors to forests in Estonia; 2. forest owners; and 3. youngsters. It also developed networking amongst decisionmakers in Estonia and selected demonstration sites and best practice examples to use in training. Project events were held in six counties that have a high or medium fire risk. Altogether 632 people were reached directly with these campaigns. Additionally, 179 professional and volunteer fire fighters were trained in fire prevention, taking account of the specific vegetation, flat landscape and fire development characteristics of Estonian forests. As an added value of the project, this work inspired the Tallinn Forest Owners Society to organise another seminar on forest fire prevention with its own resources. The project initiated ongoing networking amongst specialists from the Ministry of Environment, The Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture, Rescue Services, the Ministry of the Interior, the State Forest Service and the Environmental Board. This was the first time these organisations came together to discuss fire prevention. Proposals emerging from these meetings were recorded and submitted to the relevant authorities. The dissemination activities were picked up by TV and radio, as well as in newspaper articles and electronic media. Project materials have been assembled into an electronic toolkit, which will continue to be made available through the project website www.eramets.ee/life. The project identified that despite the successes of the dissemination activities, more time is needed to increase the engagement of key target groups on forest fires prevention. Although the incidence and extent of forest fires decreased in 2011 in Estonia, it was not possible to prove a direct link with the project. In the longer term, it will be possible, however, to monitor indicators of impact including: the use of financial assistance by forest owners to improve fire safety; the number of illegal man-made fires in forests; the extent of cooperation between the various agents; and new or updated legislation around forest fires. For further information: http://www.eramets.ee/life/

Last update: 2/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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How to find out more about LIFE and LIFE projects

By surfing on the LIFE website
The LIFE website provides a wealth of information on the LIFE programme: http://ec.europa.eu/life/

By searching on the LIFE projects

For further information on LIFE projects in Estonia or LIFE projects in general, please consult the online LIFE projects database. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm The easy-to-use database is the authoritative source of information on all ongoing and closed LIFE projects. The database also provides information on the beneficiaries, their contact details, and the projects websites.

By contacting: The National Contact Point for Estonia

Ministry of the Environment Name: Address: Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Ms. Annika VARIK, Senior officer - Foreign Financing Department Narva mnt 7a EE - 15172 Tallinn +372 6262 961 +372 6262 801 annika.varik@envir.ee Ministry of Environment

The Monitoring Team for Estonia

ASTRALE EEIG - SOGES-ELLE sia Skolas Iela 10-8 LV-1010 Riga Latvia Tel: +371 6 7242411 Fax: +371 6 7242466 E-mail: elle@astrale.org

Last update: 2/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Recent Environment Policy & Governance projects in Estonia

Project Title Project Number Website Click on the icon to read the project summary Project duration

Baltic actions for reduction of pollution of the Baltic Sea from priority hazardous substances (BaltActHaz) Elaboration of novel metagenomic method for environmental monitoring (BIOTAGENE) Management of environmentally sound recycling of oil-shale ashes into road construction products. Demonstration in Estonia (OSAMAT)

LIFE07 ENV/EE/000122

http://www.baltacthaz.bef.ee/ 01/2009> 12/2011 http://www.ttu.ee/lifeplus 01/2010> 06/2012 http://www.osamat.ee/ 09/2010> 12/2014

LIFE08 ENV/EE/000258

LIFE09 ENV/EE/000227

Recent Nature & Biodiversity projects in Estonia

Project Title Project Number Website Click on the icon to read the project summary Project duration

Saving life in meanders and oxbow lakes of Emajgi River on Alam-Pedja NATURA2000 area (HAPPY FISH) Securing Leucorrhinia pectoralis and Pelobates fuscus in the northern distribution area in Estonia and Denmark (DRAGONLIFE) Restoration and Public Access of Urban Coastal Meadow Complex in Parnu Town (URBANCOWS) Conservation and restoration of petrifying springs habitats (code *7220) in Estonia (LIFE Springday) Restoring the integrity of freshwater habitats in AlamPedja Natura 2000 areabringing the River Laeva back to life (LIFE HAPPYRIVER)

LIFE07 NAT/EE/000120

http://www.loodushoid.ee/HAPPYFIS H_LIFE__projekt_Elusti_15.htm

02/2009 > 11/2012

LIFE08 NAT/EE/000257

http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/?lang =dlest 01/2010 > 12/2014

LIFE10 NAT/EE/000107

http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/linna lehmad/

01/2012 > 12/2016

LIFE12 NAT/EE/000860

http://www.loodushoid.ee/SPRINGD AY_348.htm

07/2013 > 05/2018

LIFE12 NAT/EE/000871

http://www.loodushoid.ee/HAPPYRIV ER_347.htm 07/2013 > 12/2017

Recent Information and Communication projects in Estonia

Project Title Project Number Website Click on the icon to read the project summary Project duration

Raising awareness for forest fires and training of forest fire agents and volunteers in Estonia (FPPE) Baltic Info Campaign on Hazardous Substances (BaltInfoHaz)

LIFE08 INF_EE_000260 LIFE10 INF/EE/000108

http://www.eramets.ee/life

01/2010 > 12/2012

http://baltinfohaz.befgroup.net/

10/2011 > 03/2015

Last update: 2/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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