The LIFE4AquaticWarbler project has officially established a robust and collaborative management structure to drive the conservation of Europe’s most endangered songbird. The newly formed structure integrates key roles and responsibilities to ensure efficient execution, transparency, and strong partnerships across participating organizations and countries.

The project’s operational leadership lies with the Project Manager, supported by two Deputy Project Managers. Together, they cover crucial areas such as financial oversight, nature conservation strategy, and specialized supervision for Ukraine.

Project management group constantly will discuss the most important questions and implementation of the project with the Project Steering Group, which includes representatives from all project beneficiaries and is chaired by Dr. Martin Flade (the head of International Aquatic Warbler Conservation Team). This group oversees decision-making and ensures alignment across the project’s goals. Complementing the Steering Group there are two external bodies: the Scientific Advisory Board, which provides expert guidance and brings scientific knowledge, and the Strategic Policy Group, which ensures political support for the initiative.

The collaboration extends to country-level implementation led by project partners:

• BEF Lithuania coordinates all actions in Lithuania, and leads the work packages on project magament (WP1), preparatory activities (WP2), dissemination (WP5), and land purchase and Natura 2000 site designation (WP8)
• EuroNatur Germany supports the project implementation in Ukraine, leads the work packages on habitat restoration and translocation (WP3), monitoring and evaluation (WP6).
• FVP Germany and LVP Germany coordinate actions in Germany.
• OTOP Poland coordinates actions in Poland, leads the work packages on socio-economic project strategy (WP4) and replication, sustainability and exploitation (WP7).
• USPB Ukraine coordinates actions in Ukraine under unique and challenging circumstances.
• HEA Hungary coordinates actions in Hungary.

This structure enables cohesive leadership while delegating specialized tasks across the international partnership. It reflects the project’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration, ensuring that the ambitious goals for the Aquatic Warbler’s conservation are met effectively.

As the project progresses, this management framework will be pivotal in addressing conservation challenges, fostering teamwork, and building a brighter future for the species and its wetland habitats.