Background The geographical position of Calabria at the extreme south of Italy as well as its long coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas means that it has some of the richest biodiversity in Italy and Europe. It boasts 69 habitats of (European) community interest, 18 of which are priority habitats, and has 185 marine and terrestrial Natura 2000 sites covering 19% of the region. This important biodiversity is, however, not always adequately managed and protected. This is particularly evident in regards to newly designated marine sites, whose conservation and fisheries management measures are being developed at European level. Objectives The aim of this project is to prepare, on the basis of the approach of the Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs), concrete and operational measures for the Natura 2000 network. The strategy will include a financial plan that considers all sources of funding (European, national and regional) for the management of the Natura 2000 network and an updated list of priority actions to be carried out over the next decade. It will also look at integrating biodiversity conservation and management objectives into regional development and employment. The needs of stakeholders from many sectors (agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and the private sector) will be considered in the strategy. Citizen participation in the scientific monitoring of the regional Natura 2000 network will also be encouraged. This will be achieved through community-based monitoring, a system which aims to mobilise a large number of volunteers. Expected results: To provide an effective contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the EU strategy for biodiversity and its headline target to halt “the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss"; Ensuring an integrated and efficient management of the regional Natura 2000 network; Involvement of all relevant stakeholder sectors (agriculture, forestry, tourism, fishery, environmental associations, scientific community etc) in the management of the network through a participatory process for the definition of the strategy; Assessment of the socio-economic value of the ecosystem services of the regional Natura 2000 network; Increase "green jobs" to boost a sustainable development of the territory; The creation of a Natura 2000 monitoring system that involves citizens; Contribution to the development of integrated pilot projects concerning the implementation of the regional strategy for the Natura 2000 network management in Calabria for the next LIFE+ programme 2014-2020; and An increase in public awareness on Natura 2000 benefits and on its importance for the conservation of biodiversity through a regional communication campaign directed at citizens and stakeholders.