Ciurbesti , Iaşi (FUA), Romania
City population: 342738
Duration: 2022 – 2024
Implementation status: Completed
Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Project area: 5204000 m2
Type of area: Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond), Protected Area
Last updated: March 2025

The initiative focuses on the creation and implementation of a management plan for the Natura 2000 areas of Ciurbesti Lake and Fânațele Bârca to protect their biodiversity and promote sustainable tourism and land use. These areas were designated as part of the Natura 2000 network in 2016, but until recently, lacked a formal management plan. In 2019, the environmental group "Asociaţia Scutierii Naturii Bacău," in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency of Iași (APM Iași), secured EU funding to develop the plan. While the plan was being developed, minimal regulations were established in 2022 to ensure interim protection. The finalized management plan was released in 2024. It assessed species and habitats of European, national, and community importance, identifying 18 bird species, 3 plant species, 1 mammal species, and 4 key habitats. The plan also identified environmental pressures and set objectives and actions to ensure the conservation of this biodiversity. Before the plan's completion, two rounds of public consultations were held, involving a broad range of stakeholders, including surrounding municipalities, private landowners, public administrators, and local community representatives, to define optimal management practices. The plan mandates continuous monitoring and reporting on the state of species and habitats. It also includes specific conservation measures, such as the partial reconstruction of endangered habitats, meetings with local land users to restrict harmful activities, public awareness campaigns, and regular monitoring. Additionally, it emphasizes the sustainable use of the area, including tourism. The creation of the plan was financed with EU funds totaling €1,036,014.27, and the projected cost for its implementation is €259,627.99. (1-5)

Panoramic view of the lake
Panoramic view of the lake
https://www.bzi.ro/poze/apm-iasi-da-startul-caravanelor-de-informare-constientizare-a-comunitatilor-locale-privind-importanta-conservarii-biodiversitatii-unor-arii-protejate-situri-natura-2000-din-judet-foto-4769098?pic=4

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Blue infrastructure
  • Lakes/ponds

Key challenges

  • Environmental quality
  • Waste management
  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Green space creation and/or management
  • Habitat and biodiversity restoration
  • Habitat and biodiversity conservation
  • Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
  • Inclusive governance
  • Effective management
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Environmental education
  • Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
  • Tourism support

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

  • Climate-Related Hazards
  • Drought
  • Forest fires and wildfires
  • Environmental Degradation
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Invasive alien species
  • Land use and Socio-economic change
  • Agriculture/ crop production
  • Rapid urbanization
  • Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
  • Disconnection from nature
  • Poor community engagement
  • Resource Scarcity and Competition
  • Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)

Key priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Protection of riparian vegetation, Restoration of riparian vegetation, Protection of natural ecosystems, Protecton and enhancement of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Habitat restoration, Habitat conservation, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management, Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs

Project objectives

To conserve, restore and manage the habitats and species of conservation interest through restring riparian vegetation, cleaning invasive species, waste management, and minimize harmful effects and prevent ecosystem disruption by promoting changes in behavior and attitude (2, p.9) To monitor the biodiversity of the area continuously (2, p.9) To ensure effective management and administration of the protected natural areas and guarantee the long-term durability of the plan (inventory, mapping, evaluation of the state of conservation) (2, p.9) To establish clear communication channels with stakeholders, incorporating ecological education programs, particularly for schools in the surrounding area, and raising public awareness. (2, p. 9 & 454) To co-design the management plan by involving and coordinating with local stakeholders and the community through regular meetings. (2, p. 9 & 453) To promote sustainable tourism by developing infrastructure for information dissemination and leveraging social media platforms. (2, p.9)

Implementation activities

Two rounds of public consultations were organized in the Miroslava commune, bringing together stakeholders, including representatives from the municipalities surrounding the natural areas, private landowners, public administrators, and local community groups. These consultations were aimed at identifying the best management practices for the area (2, p. 23). A management plan was then developed, identifying key habitats and species of special conservation interest, including 18 bird species, 3 plant species, 1 mammal species, and 4 important habitats (2, p. 8 & 9). The plan outlined several key actions: Regulating human activities that could harm the ecosystem, such as grazing, fishing, waste disposal, and illegal fires, through both sanctions and awareness campaigns targeting relevant actors (2, p. 442-450). Implementing continuous monitoring of habitats and species to ensure their long-term protection (2, p. 442-450). Restoring specific riparian vegetation to improve habitat health (2, p. 444-445). Focusing on communication and public awareness by developing and updating a strategy and action plan, utilizing social media, local meetings, and educational activities (2, p. 453). Building infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism activities that do not negatively impact the natural areas (2, p. 455). Collaborating with ecological experts to produce detailed reports, ensuring appropriate equipment, and preparing a budget to implement the plan effectively (2, p. 451)

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity conservation:

  • Protect and enhance urban habitats
  • Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
  • Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
  • Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
  • Protect species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect native species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
  • Control and clean invasive alien species
  • Means for conservation governance
  • Raise public awareness
  • Public engagement

Biodiversity restoration:

  • Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
  • Clear and control invasive alien species
  • Public engagement

Main beneficiaries

  • National-level government
  • Local government/Municipality
  • Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
  • Non-government organisation/Civil Society
  • Citizens or community groups
  • Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
  • Marginalized groups: Elderly people

Governance

Management set-up

  • Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

  • Public sector institution
  • Non-government organisation/civil society

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
  • Taskforce groups
  • Dissemination of information and education
  • Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
  • Co-management/Joint management

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The environmental group "Asociaţia Scutierii Naturii Bacău" together with the Environmental Protection Agency of Iasi (APM Iasi) got granted EU funds to prepare a management plan which was later adopted (3 & 5, p. 8). The National Ministry of Environment approved regulations while the management plan was being prepared (4). Many stakeholder groups were included in the consulation rounds, including the municipalities of the localities surrounding the natural areas, private landowners, public administrators (national and regional environmental institutions, riverbasin administration), and representatives of diverse local groups (church associations, schools, museums, NGOs) (2, p. 118 to 123 & 3). Citizens that had interest in the development of the plan and/or conducted activities in the natural area also attented the consultation, and were the target of awareness raising campaigns (p. 22 & 114).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Yes (Natura 2000 (1, p. 6). )
... a national policy or strategy? Yes (Romanian government Legea nr. 49/ 2011 "privind regimul ariilor naturale protejate, conservarea habitatelor naturale, a florei și faunei sălbatice" (2, p. 6). // Ordinului nr.304/2018 privind aprobarea Ghidului de elaborare a planurilor de management ale ariilor naturale protejate. (2, p. 23). Romanian government Law no. 49/ 2011 "regarding the regime of natural protected areas, conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna" (2, p. 6). // Order no. 304/2018 regarding the approval of the Guidelines for the development of management plans for protected natural areas, part of the National Biodiversity Plan)
... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Financing

Total cost

More than €4,000,000

Source(s) of funding

  • EU funds

Type of funding

  • Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Environmental quality
  • Improved waste management
  • Expected improved waste management
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
  • Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
  • Reduced biodiversity loss
  • Expected reduced biodiversity loss
  • Increased protection of threatened species
  • Expected increased protection of threatened species
  • Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
  • Expected improved prevention or control of invasive alien species

Economic impacts

  • Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
  • Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
  • Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • Expected generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • More sustainable tourism
  • Expected more sustainable tourism

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Social justice and cohesion
  • Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
  • Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
  • Cultural heritage and sense of place
  • Increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Education
  • Increased support for education and scientific research
  • Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
  • Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
  • Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

Yes

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

1.
European Environment Agency (2019). EUNIS -Site factsheet for Lacul Ciurbești - Fânațele Bârca. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Agenția Națională pentru Protecția Mediului Iasi (n.d.). Planul de managament pentru siturile Fanatele Barca suprapusa cu Lacul Ciurbesti. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
3.
BZI (2023). APM Iaşi dă startul caravanelor de informare - conştientizare a comunităţilor locale privind importanţa conservării biodiversităţii unor arii protejate situri Natura 2000 din judeţ . Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Ministerul Mediului, Apelor si Padurilor (2022). Privind aprobarea setului minim de masuri de protectie si conservare Lacul Ciurbesti. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Agenția Națională pentru Protecția Mediului Iasi (2020). APM Iasi - 2019 - Raport de activitate. Accessed on September 23, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Agenția Națională pentru Protecția Mediului Iasi (2024). Documentaţii - Documentatii procedura SEA si EA - ANPM. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Primaria Ciurea (2021). Strategie-comuna-Ciurea-2021-2027. p. 16 & 18 & 27. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Populatia RO (2023). Populația Comunei Mogoșești, Jud. Iași. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Primaria Miroslava (2021). SDL-2021-2027_C.Miroslava_IS. p. 23 & 39. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
Panoramic view of the lake
Panoramic view of the lake
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=lacul+ciurbesti#lpg=ik:CAoSLEFGMVFpcFB4X2cwWTJsOVg5cmM0VmJ1VS1NTWlFVFhNaFRVZEphNW5HYkFV
Ciurbesti
Ciurbesti
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/ROSPA0158
Ciurbesti
Ciurbesti
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/ROSPA0158
Ciurbesti
Ciurbesti
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/ROSPA0158
Ciurbesti
Ciurbesti
https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/ROSPA0158
naturescapes bannerInformation about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.