The LASPEH 2.0 Project aims to renew and coordinate cross-border efforts to safeguard the natural heritage of the South Adriatic area.

Co-funded by the Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021–2027 Programme, LASPEH 2.0 brings together institutional partners from Italy, Montenegro, and Albania to address the increasing vulnerability of ecosystems, where habitats and species are increasingly affected by human pressures, urbanization, and the impacts of climate change.

LASPEH 2.0 aims to enhance biodiversity resilience in the South Adriatic through:

• – The protection of two priority habitats and two species of shared regional importance;
• – The development of a joint tool to improve the management of Natura 2000 sites;
• – The design of a cross-border tool to guide concrete nature conservation actions;
• – The development of a Transnational Joint Strategy to strengthen ecosystem resilience and support the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law.

The project is led by the Puglia Region – Department for Environment, Landscape and Urban Quality (IT), in cooperation with:

• – Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (IT);
• – Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro (ME);
• – Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (AL);
• – Municipality of Taranto (IT).

Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) will focus on the development of a conservation plan for the Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), based on the EU Nature Restoration Law, as well as on the preparation of a Joint Interregional Strategy aimed at improving ecosystem conditions and enhancing ecosystem resilience across the South Adriatic region.

In addition, PPNEA will actively implement a public awareness campaign on the protection of this species and engage in the involvement of local communities and key stakeholders throughout the project.