Projekt partners Learning for Lakes

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency's principal aims are to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development. It plays a central role in delivering the environmental priorities of government in England and Wales. It also seeks opportunities to help promote a low carbon economy and the creation of green jobs.

It has four key areas of activity:

1. Acting to reduce climate change and its consequences
2. Protecting and improving water, land and air
3. Working with people and communities to create better places
4. Working with businesses and other organisations to use resources wisely

With specific reference to this project the Environment Agency is the body in England and Wales responsible for ensuring appropriate management of lakes, including conformity with EU policies (e.g. Water Framework Directive, Natura 2000). This role involves working with other organisations, land managers, local communities and voluntary organisations. It also includes delivery of vocational training to provide the knowledge, skills and competences required to ensure that all those involved in lake management act in a way that contributes to healthy lakes.

Global Nature Fund

The Global Nature Fund (GNF) is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Germany. In 1998 GNF established the international lake partnership Living Lakes with the aim to protect lakes and wetlands worldwide and to promote sustainable development in these areas. The network comprises today more than 70 organisations working in 30 countries and protecting more than 58 lakes and wetlands around the world. The Global Nature Fund has initiated & conducted various projects for sustainable lake management and works in a close cooperation with other organisations and institutions in the field of environmental protection/lake management.

Main working fields are:

• Conserving the biodiversity and fresh water resources, lakes and wetland ecosystems
• Restoring altered and disappearing wetlands and lake ecosystems
• Improving the quality of life for local communities (Agenda 21)
• Building a commitment towards a sustainable use and development of such ecosystems (e.g. through agriculture, fishery, tourism, settlement and water use)
• Promoting the use of applied sciences and technologies towards the conservation of ecosystems
• Supporting educational programmes and cooperation with local communities towards the conservation of the biodiversity
• Disseminating relevant information.

Fundación Global Nature

Foundación Global Nature (FGN) is a non-profit charity organization, constituted in 1993 aiming at conservation and protection of the environment, as well as the rational use of renewable resources. The projects developed help toward keeping and recovering habitats, threat species and traditional activities, without forgetting technology innovation. They also have an environmental teaching side, through courses, seminars, lectures, and editions.

In its three Environmental Education Centres, the Foundation works with young people from all over Europe, providing training experience, such as work camps, international exchanges, internships, volunteer activities, etc.

La Nava Lake (with FGN as partner) joined the Living Lakes network in 1998. Main goals at La Nava Lake have been: Increasing the flooded area; Programme for improving water quality and natural vegetation (afforestation works); Environmental education about the lagoons; Including wetlands in national and international protection programmes (Ramsar); Implementing a Management Plan and an Agri-environmental Plan; Publishing brochures, videos and other information in order to inform the public about the projects.

Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczne "Etna"

The Environmental Association "Etna" (Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczne "Etna") is a small NGO specializing in nature conservation, environmental education and social assistance related to environmental issues. The SE "Etna" acted as a partner in international projects, such as Sustainable development of lake areas or Support for the Local Action Group of the Tamiš River in Serbia. The staff and leaders of Etna has been experienced in international conservation work for up to 20 years.

The organization is a partner within the Polish Barycz Valley 3-sectoral partnership under the programme LEADER+.

Balatoni Civil Szervezetek Szövetsége

The Association of Civil Organisations of Lake Balaton is a voluntary association established in 2001 by 34 civil orgasinations around Lake Balaton. Its objective is to strengthen collaboration between NGOs for protecting natural, environmental and historical values of Lake Balaton.

The goals are:

• Protecting natural, environmental and historical values of Lake Balaton and its surroundings as well as promoting sustainable development
• Strengthen collaboration among NGOs, municipalities and business sector for create better living places
• Representation of interests of NGOs
• Increase the public's awareness of the importance of lake and water protection

Since 2004, Association of Civil Organizations of Lake Balaton has represented Lake Balaton in Living Lakes International Network. In 2006 it signed a cooperation agreement with Lake Balaton Development Agency, Balaton Uplands National Park and Tihany Limnological Research Institute for collaboration in Living Lakes and other projects. The organisation has a strong partnership with Pannon University Keszthely and Balaton Uplands' Biofarmers.