WYG Consulting Ltd., in partnership with PwC EU Services, is supporting the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) in implementing the study “Assessment of Integration of Financing Needs for Nature Conservation in 2021-2027 EU Funding Programmes.” The study aims to evaluate the extent to which EU funds under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and the NextGenerationEU programme address the financing needs for nature conservation.
The analysis draws on Member States' Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs), which outline national and regional funding needs and priorities for implementing the Natura 2000 network and associated green infrastructure.
On the funding side, the study assesses how EU programmes-including CAP Strategic Plans, EMFAF, JTF, RRF, ERDF (including Interreg), CF, ESF+, LIFE, Horizon Europe, and InvestEU support nature-related measures. A deep-dive analysis was conducted on EU-funded programmes to determine how much financing is available for measures contributing to the objectives of the Nature Restoration Law, which entered into force in 2024. The study also explores the remaining funding gap and identifies best practices for mainstreaming nature conservation, particularly Natura 2000, across EU spending programmes.