LinkPAs – Linking networks of protected areas to territorial development, Inception Report Version 30/08/2017

The overall objective of the Linking networks of protected areas to territorial development - LinkPAs project - is to explore the role of existing networks of protected areas (NPAs) to define and implement sustainable territorial development strategies and policies. This study was launched by ESPON upon the stakeholders’ request and it seeks to identify emerging trends in governance practices within complex socio-ecological systems (i.e. mountain regions) that are likely to shape a novel approach to natural resource management. Drawing on the activities carried out by existing NPAs, this project seeks to provide significant evidence of the impact that NPAs have on growth at different territorial levels of development. Consequently, the project shall offer recommendations to ensure the successful capitalisation of the natural resources management; it is furthermore suggested that these recommendations should be integrated to the framework of general and sectoral strategies. LinkPAs investigates four Protected Areas (PAs) that have joined different NPAs according to their specific territorial characteristics (e.g. PAs typologies, biodiversity, cultural heritage, etc.), institutional structure (e.g. legal status), geographical specificity and diversity (e.g. mountain with low accessibility, the population, poor services of general interest) and geographical location (within the scope of application of an international treaty). In order to raise awareness regarding PAs and NPAs among prospective stakeholders, the University of Rome Tor Vergata (project leader) has created a consortium comprising five more partners and started a close cooperation with the Stakeholders Steering Committee (Abruzzo Region, the EGTC European Park Alpi Marittime-Mercantour, the ALPARC territory, the Municipality of Razlog) As prescribed in the Terms of Reference (ToR), this Inception Report (IR) provides a description of the conceptual and methodological framework used to carry out this project, an overview of qualitative data to be collected and the relevant literature to be used throughout. It also outlines a preliminary overview of existing models of NPA and their governance and regulations within territorial development. This report concludes by discussing a preliminary set of policy recommendations.