Background Madeira and Porto Santo, the two small, rugged inhabited islands of the Madeira Archipelago are relatively densely populated (250 000 inhabitants). This can create potential conflicts between nature conservation aims and the need for sustainable regional development. Objectives The overall long-term project objective is to reinforce, through educational and awareness activities, the compatibility of regional and territorial development in the Madeira Archipelago (i.e. socio-economic activities such as tourism, fisheries and agriculture) with EU biodiversity conservation policy (namely the management of Natura 2000 nature reserves, sites, habitats and species listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives). Project actions will be targeted at various groups: those dealing with ecotourism; residents or visitors to the protected areas; and coastal and rural populations involved in socio-economic activities with potential negative impacts to the protected areas and its biodiversity. Specifically, the project aims to increase awareness (and hopefully change the behaviour) of:(i) tourism promoters on the use/observation of species, habitats, nature reserves and Natura 2000 sites; (ii) visitors to the islands on species, habitats, nature reserves and Natura 2000 sites; (iii) economic interests linked with the marine environment - namely fishermen and people living in coastal areas; and (iv) economic interests linked with the rural environment - namely farmers and those living in rural areas. Expected results: A decrease in conflicts between biodiversity conservation and the development of economic and traditional activities in sensitive areas; An increase in biodiversity contributing to the development of sustainable socio-economic activities; Increased knowledge about behaviour that negatively affects the conservation of habitats and causes biodiversity loss; A change in policies and behaviour among those directly, or indirectly, involved in eco-tourism activities, fisheries and agriculture in sensitive areas; and The development of tools for participants to further the implementation of good practices.