Background The red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), which is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, has a recorded population of 2 372 to 2 861 pairs in the EU. Some 1 000-1 100 pairs are in Hungary (as recorded in 2009) and a further two are in Slovakia (2010). In Slovakia, unsuitable management practices, including the improper application of chemicals on feeding habitats, together with a drastic decrease of nesting habitats and opportunities, represent the most significant threat to the species. Improper management practices have adversely affected rook colonies and other prey species, putting the red-footed falcon on the verge of extinction in Slovakia. The country has yet to draw up a national Action Plan and no systematic conservation measures are being taken. Objectives The main objectives of the LIFE 'REDFOOT' project are to: Establish the long-term sustainable conservation management of the red-footed falcon nesting sites and feeding habitats through implementing, testing and demonstrating new or unfamiliar management practices; Prevent the extinction of the species in Slovakia by improving nesting and feeding opportunities and reducing the impact of negative factors; Create suitable conditions in Slovakia for the species to spread from Hungary and enable the connection of populations; Strengthen the European core population in the Carpathian basin and ensure its conservation by implementation of suitable conservation measures; and Identify endangered migratory and roosting sites, taking the first steps for their conservation through networking. Expected results: A total of 330 artificial nesting opportunities for the red-footed falcon will be created in Slovakia by 2017 and 100 artificial nests in one Natura 2000 site in Hungary by 2014. The number of natural nests in endangered project sites in Slovakia will stabilised, ensuring the protection of the species; The number and/or quality of natural nests for rooks will increase in project sites in Hungary and Slovakia; A 2 000 ha area will be managed to provide favourable feeding sites for the red-footed falcon in Slovakia. Some 25 ha of land will be purchased; Demonstrative management of 360 ha of land and 170 ha of feeding sites by the project members in Hungary; Beech martin (M. foina) predation will be reduced by 95% in treated nest sites in Hungary; Some 900 stakeholders will participate in 13 demonstration events in Hungary; at least 20 meetings with stakeholders (hunters and farmers) will be held in Slovakia, and 50 farmers and other stakeholders from Slovakia will take part in a ‘transfer of knowledge’ excursion in Hungary. At least 50% of the participants (landowners or land users of red-footed falcon habitats in Hungary) will sign a commitment on the use of management tools for the species; A cooperation agreement will be signed by at least three hunting associations, three representatives of the municipal office and five land-users in Slovakia; and European migration routes and main threats will be localised with the help of 15 adult birds tagged with a PTT and 50 birds tagged with a geo-locator. Assessment and prevention of threatening factors will be carried out in selected hotspots through networking.