LECA Project
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BASIC INFORMATION
START DATE: April 1, 2023
END DATE: March 31, 2026
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: The project is co-financed by the European Union (ERDF) under the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE program
TOTAL BUDGET: €2,932,983.57
ERDF CONTRIBUTION: €2,346,386.84
WEBSITE: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/leca/
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Large carnivores are a key component of the forest ecosystems of the Carpathians, home to one of the most numerous native populations of lynx, wolf, and bear in Europe. The long-term viability of these protected species is threatened by human-caused mortality such as poaching, collisions with vehicles, and habitat fragmentation and destruction. To adopt effective countermeasures that support a healthy population structure and, in some cases, enable natural expansion and recolonization of adjacent areas, coordinated and scientifically-based protection and management of these populations is necessary across all Carpathian countries. This requires consistent and effective cross-border monitoring of populations over long periods, the application of appropriate preventive measures to reduce conflicts, and combating misconceptions.
The LECA project ensures that up-to-date information on large carnivore populations will be available in Carpathian countries, especially in cross-border areas. It will prepare joint management regulations for large carnivores (particularly regarding poaching) within the Carpathian regions and promote understanding and knowledge among stakeholders within these regions.
The LECA project introduces a consistent and effective monitoring approach involving local stakeholders. Its outcome will be current population information linked to effective conflict prevention measures.
PARTNERS
Mendel University in Brno, WWF Poland, WWF Slovakia, World Wildlife Fund for Nature Hungary, Technical university in Zvolen, Bükk National Park Directorate, Tatra National Park, State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Friends of the Earth Czech Republic, Carnivore Conservation Programme, Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, Zarand Association, Slovenia Forest Service
ASSOCIATION OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Instytut Ochrony Przyrody Polskiej Akademii, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta SFS, Regionalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska w Rzeszowie, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Aggteleki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság, Českomoravská myslivecká jednota, z.s., Ministerstwo Klimatu I Środowiska, Ministerstvo životného prostredia Slovenskej republiky, Agrárminisztérium, Міністерство захисту довкілля та природних ресурсів України, Ministerstvo vnútra Slovenskej republiky, Ministerul Mediului, Apelor și Pădurilor AZ, Správa Tatranského národního parku se sídlem v Tatranské Lomnici, Správa Národného parku Slovenský kras se sídlom v Brzotíně, Správa Národního parku Poloniny se sídlem ve Stakčíne.
