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The primary objective of LIFE IP PHYSIS is to achieve and/or maintain a favourable conservation status for species and habitat types of community importance in Cyprus, through actions in the whole Natura 2000 network. This will mainly be possible through the implementation of the Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Cyprus for the Multiannual Financing Period 2014-2020, as well as the fulfilment of several targets of the EUs 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. The project's approach is to catalyse financial support from complementary funds and to ensure synergies between policy sectors for the purpose of Natura 2000 protection.

The IP addresses all the weaknesses identified in the management of the Natura 2000 network in Cyprus, will fill knowledge gaps for species and habitats, improve the governance of the network, exploit ecosystem services and implement action and management plans for species and habitats.

The specific objectives of the project are to:

• implement concrete conservation measures and apply legal instruments for habitats types and species of Community interest that are facing significant threats;

• develop management structures at a regional scale for the sites of the Natura 2000 network outside state forest land, so as to involve main stakeholders (land owners, users and local authorities);

• tackle the issue of privateland management in the Natura 2000 network through innovative solutions;

• study and acquire the necessary knowledge on ecosystem services and their provisions at national and local scale;

• strengthen the coherence and connectivity between the areas of the Natura 2000 network;

• provide a geospatially-oriented database system for the Natura 2000 network and a web-based GIS tool for governmental, professional, expert and public use;

• improve capacity, knowledge and awareness of key stakeholders, involved bodies, authorities and the general public with respect to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network; and

• disseminate the results of the project and ensure their transfer, and replication by other stakeholders both nationally, regionally at the Mediterranean Biogeographical Region and at EU level.

The complementary actions aim at amplifying the concrete actions of the IP project in the sites of the Natura 2000 network, and involve habitat restoration, surveillance for Invasive Alien Species, and studies on the ecology and conservation status of targeted species. The complementary actions will be finalised by December 2022.

In addition to the IP budget itself the project will facilitate the coordinated use of 24 500 000 complementary funding from ERDF, EAFRD and EMFF funds.

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