“BIOCONNECT.05.23 Project” : Ensuring effective management and governance in Sites of Ecological Importance and expanding protection in Southern Lebanon

Ongoing Project (Till 2025)

Shouf Biosphere Reserve seeks an Institution/ Consortium of experts to identify and assess new potential PAs and OECMs of high conservation value, a project funded by European Union. The proposed action aims to address the important socio-economic challenges that jeopardize conservation and sustainable development in Lebanon to the greatest possible extent, in line with the call’s objectives and priorities through the following overall objectives: 1. Enhancing the management and governance of sites of ecological importance in southern Lebanon; 2. Creation of new Protected Areas and OECMs for broader landscape conservation in southern Lebanon.

It focuses on the following specific objectives:

1) Design and implement rigorous, regular and consistent monitoring and evaluation schemes for key biodiversity (endangered species/ecosystems) and pressures;

2) Ensure effective, equitable site management, including appropriate management plans/guidelines for the sites;

3) Abate the main pressures on key biodiversity;

4) Enhance sites’ regulation enforcement;

5) Identify and assess suitable new PAs or OECMs;

6) Ensure sound management plans/guidelines for the new sites;

7) Improve landscape connectivity among existing and new PAs/OECMs.