Submission of the Annual Support Measure Report for the Support Measure "Biodiversity Programme"

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Annual Support Measure Report_2025.pdf

Second Swiss Contribution

Estonia

Annual Support Measure Report

Support Measure Name Biodiversity Programme

Reporting Period 01.05.2024 – 31.12.2024

Report Number I

Report Submission Date 31.03.2025

Partner State Support Measure

Code (if any)

Swiss Support Measure Code 7F-10768.01

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Table of contents

1. Basic Support Measure information ........................................................................ 4

2. Report submission and approval ............................................................................. 4

3. Overview of results achieved and steering implications ........................................ 5

4. Support Measure progress ....................................................................................... 6

4.1 Achievement of Support Measure objectives ................................................................... 6

4.2 Status of implementation ................................................................................................13

4.2.1 Update of implementation schedule .............................................................................13

4.2.2 Procurements ..............................................................................................................13

4.2.3 Communication activities .............................................................................................14

4.3 Beneficiaries ...................................................................................................................18

4.4 Swiss Support Measure Partners ....................................................................................18

4.5 Products and services supplied by Swiss contractors .....................................................18

5. Support Measure management ...............................................................................19

5.1 Organisational level ........................................................................................................19

5.2 Steering Committees ......................................................................................................21

5.3 Audits .............................................................................................................................22

5.4 Evaluation .......................................................................................................................22

5.5 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................22

6. Risk management .....................................................................................................23

Annexes ..............................................................................................................................24

Annex x: Overview of Implementation locations ..............................................................25

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List of abbreviations SCO Swiss Contribution Office

CHF Swiss Franc

CH Switzerland

SM Support Measure

NCU National Coordination Unit

1. Basic Support Measure information

Executing Agency type Programme Operator

Executing Agency name

and address

The Ministry of Climate

Name of contact person Kairi Toiger

E-Mail of contact person [email protected]

Phone of contact person +3726262931

SM type Programme

Objective Protecting the environment and the climate

Thematic area Nature conservation and biodiversity

Duration according to

SM Agreement

Start date: 01.05.2024 Completion date: 30.04.2028

Swiss Contribution to

the SM CHF

6 930 000

2. Report submission and approval

Executing

Agency

The Ministry of Climate Signature

digitally signed

Name

Position Secretary General

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E-Mail info@kliimaminis-

teerium.ee

Phone +372 626 2931 Date digitally signed

3. Overview of results achieved and steering implications

The Ministry of Climate submitted the second-stage Support Measure Proposal to the SCO in February

2024 and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation approved it in March 2024. The Support

Measure Agreement was concluded between the NCU and the Swiss Agency for Development and Coop-

eration on April 30, 2024.

After signing the opening event was held in May at Palmse which was very successful. At the event, the

Swiss-Estonian Cooperation was introduced and several presentations were held on topics related to the

programme. In addition, there were discussion session and outdoor activities, where participants could

choose between various activities.

First Steering Committee meeting was held in October 2024 where Steering Committee agreed to the rules

of procedure and Programme Operator and Programme Components provided the overview of the devel-

opments of the 'Biodiversity Programme'.

Support measure implementation agreement between the NCU and the Programme Operator was signed

19th of December 2024. The Minister´s directive for the components was signed 28th of February 2025.

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4. Support Measure progress

4.1 Achievement of Support Measure objectives

Strategy of intervention Key Indicators

Baseline

Key Indicators

Target

Achieved

this

period

Cumulatively

achieved

Cumulatively

achieved as per-

centage of tar-

get

Outcomes

Outcome 1

The efficiency and reliability of biodiversity mon-

itoring has improved

Baseline: no auto-

mated process, most

of the data reaches

databases within more

than one year

Data collected as part of the bi-

odiversity monitoring pro-

gramme reaches the data-

bases within one year through

automated process

- -

Outcome 2

The effectiveness of management planning of

protected areas as well as protected species

and habitats has improved

Baseline: The previ-

ous guidelines are out-

dated (2012, updated

2018)

New guidelines for drawing up

management plans of pro-

tected areas have been imple-

mented

70% 70% 70%

Outputs

Output 1.1

Existing IT systems (databases and portals)

and their connectivity is improved

Baseline: 0 for addi-

tional connections

and tools (overall,

IT systems has al-

ready many other

existing connec-

tions and tools)

At least 4 additional connec-

tions or tools for the exchange

of data between the IT sys-

tems have been established

- -

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Strategy of intervention Key Indicators

Baseline

Key Indicators

Target

Achieved

this

period

Cumulatively

achieved

Cumulatively

achieved as per-

centage of tar-

get

Output 1.2

New technologies and novel solutions for biodi-

versity monitoring are mapped, developed,

tested and implemented

Baseline: 0 At least 5 new developed and

piloted solutions (Random En-

counter Method, Artificial Intel-

ligence, 3D bird radar, eDNA

and, other new technical solu-

tions that will be worked out in

first stage of the project

- - -

Output 2.1

Site-based and national conservation objec-

tives and measures for protected species and

habitats are revised

Output 2.2

The conservation management plans of pro-

tected areas, action plans for species and habi-

tats are revised and updated

Baseline: 0 (using

new methodology)

Baselines: 2 action

plans for habitats; 0

conservation manage-

ment plans for pro-

tected areas (using

the new format)

The effectiveness of

the management of

at least 300

protected objects (different

types of protected areas) is as-

sessed

5 action plans for

habitats; 64

Conservation

management plans

for protected areas

using a new format,

5 action plans for

habitats and 24% of

all the protected

species in Estonia

have action plans.

-

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Strategy of intervention Key Indicators

Baseline

Key Indicators

Target

Achieved

this

period

Cumulatively

achieved

Cumulatively

achieved as per-

centage of tar-

get

Baseline: 0

16% of all the

protected species in

Estonia have action

plans. The

protection

categories of all the protected

species’ groups (not separate

species) are evaluated

Draft document to

change the

regulations of

protection

categories

is prepared.

The toolset for

Conservation

Management

Effectiveness

assessment is set

up and in use in the

Environmental

Board.

-

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Strategy of intervention Key Indicators

Baseline

Key Indicators

Target

Achieved

this

period

Cumulatively

achieved

Cumulatively

achieved as per-

centage of tar-

get

Output 3

Competence of the specialists as well as public

awareness and engagement is improved

Baseline: 0 • At least 21 trainings/seminars

• At least 8 study trips

• A network of volunteers is cre-

ated

• At least 20 campaigns to involve

volunteers in wildlife monitoring

• 2 bigger events for volunteers

• 2 bigger events for stakeholders

• At least 8 articles of the new so-

lutions in wildlife monitoring

• At least 8 appearances in radio

shows

• At least 2 appearances in TV

shows

• 1 presentation in Switzerland to

introduce the results of the pro-

ject

• At least 350 people will benefiting

from training to improve institu-

tional and professional capacity

2% (3 study

trips, 1 event

stakeholders,

4 voluntary

monitoring

methods

tested)

2%

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Programme component 1 “Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and sys- tems” Random Encounter Method (REM) has been under practical testing and software development in order to involve AI has been also under testing phase during the 2024. Testing of REM during the spring period of 2024 was done in 39 monitoring areas. Into every area 25-26 trail cameras were installed for at least 35 days. Trail camera photos from spring period are still under manual checking process. From all photo series all positive image cases (start and end time of series), species on images and number of animals on series were registered. 504 210 photo files (630GB) out of ~824 000 photo files (1001,7GB) are manu- ally checked (from 28 monitoring areas out of 39), from which 78 383 were with animals (~7000 different cases). In addition to that fieldwork with trail cameras has also been done in autumn period (29. October to 10. December 2024) on four monitoring areas (on Hiiumaa and Saaremaa Islands), mostly at the same locations where they were also in spring. Photo files are also collected from autumn camera monitoring (30 826 photo files with total amount as 15,2GB), but their analysis will start after spring 2024 files are analysed. Software development for using AI in species detection from trail camera photos is still in testing phase. For acquisition of mobile 3D bird radars study trip was organised in 27th to 29th of October 2024 to Zurich, Swizerland into the factory of one of the swiss radar producer: Swiss Birdradar Solution AG (https://swiss-birdradar.com/) to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other flying living organisms. Main goal of the study trip was to visit one of the radar producers in Europe, in order to get better overview about technical capabilities of radars meant for biodiversity monitoring as well as what kind of specified products are in the market. Stuy trip gave very good overview of products and radar capabilities and knowledge on what kind of currently available radars will be best for the biodiversity monitoring and what should be their technical speci- fications. As a result of that study trip biodiversity monitoring team of Estonian Environment Agency has now much better capability to purchase radars meant for biodiversity monitoring. After that study trip draft terms of reference were prepared and coordination of them as well as other needed documents in pro- curement was started in December 2024. Procurement is planned to be finalised during next period. For acquisition and testing of new technologies for wildlife biodiversity monitoring first procurement was prepared by the end of the year and following devices were received by now: rugged tablets (5) for testing with fieldwork software QField in voluntary monitoring networks; bat-detectors attachable to mobile phones (11) for testing in voluntary monitoring network campaign in 2025; bird sound recorders with GPS attached (5) for testing in national bird and other animals monitoring methods; GPS-devices compatible with existing bird sound recorders for testing and use in national bird monitoring methods; drone with thermal camera to be tested in night bird monitoring as well as in seal monitoring methods; binoculars with distance meter and altimeter (3) to be tested in national bird monitoring methods, incl. on-site surveys in wind parks; binoculars with thermal camera (1) to be tested in night bird, bat and other animals moni- toring methods; fully automated insect monitoring device (2) to be tested in national insect monitoring methods. One very important study trip was held in 16th of September to 2nd of October in 2024: wolf expert of Estonia got very valuable information and hands on experiences on wolf monitoring in USA (Idaho, Montana and Washington States). Main goal of study trip was to get technical knowledge regarding different practical methods in monitoring of wolves - as cost-effective and as small human resource demanding as possible. In Europe many of these methods has not been in use for centuries, but in USA this knowledge is inherited so-called „father-to-son“ and still actively used. Majority of the questions found an answer during the practical activities together with best wolf experts in USA. Biggest gain from that study trip was that one of the best wolf experts in Estonia, who is responsible for state level wolf monitoring has now knowledge for improvement of monitoring methods so, that they will be more cost-effective and less human resourse demanding. Testing of eDNA usage in biodiversity monitoring methods has been divided into two parts: first testing set has been started during the second half of 2024 and it includes testing eDNA usability and method cost-effectiveness in aquatic environment (rivers) with focus on species identification (crayfish, mussels, dragonflies, diving beetles) and distribution detection (Habitat directive Fish species). For that a separate procurement has been prepared and will be finalised during the next period. Second testing set, testing eDNA usability and method cost-effectiveness in terrestrial environment with focus on bar-coding, e.g. ani- mal dispersal within same species (Flying squirrel, European mink etc) in order to compare current catch and release method with eDNA usage as not affect- ing animals themselves is planned to be performed during period 2025-2026.

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In promoting citizen science and creating network of volunteers 2024 has been preparatory and planning period. Four voluntary monitoring methods, for moni- toring otter (QField usage), diving beetles (simple catch-photo-release method), bats (wintering campaign in social media group and preparation for simple mobile based sound recorders usage in summer count) and amphibians (social media campaign) were tested during 2024. Planning of the voluntary monitor- ing networks to be tested and launched with campaigns are as follows: 2025: moose, as official animal of the year 2025 (in cooperation with Estonian Therio- logical Society and other third sector associations), wintering bats, reptiles, amphibians, bats in summer habitats, Northern birch mouse, diving beetles, polli- nators, globeflower, geese and swans; 2026: nesting birds, night singers, moths, cranes, magpies and crows; 2027: wood ants, dragonflies, swallows, White Stork. For a development of IT systems (establishment of interfaces between KESE and EELIS; establishment of interface between EELIS and eBiodiversity (PlutoF); development of management plans assessment tool and development of fieldwork tool) 2024 was a preparatory phase: framework contract was signed in September 2024 between IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment and IT developer (Inversion Software OÜ) that won the framework procure- ment for IT developments in IT-plan of Ministry of Climate for next four years (2025-2028). Preparation of cooperation contract between Estonian Environment Agency and IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment in order to set up framework for all four developments listed above. EELIS2 (new version of IT- system) has been under testing by Chief Specialist (IT system specialist) in the Environmental Agency (responsible for the input of the IT developments and testing). That specialist also participated in weekly EELIS2 development meetings and EELIS1 (old IT-system) development meetings as well as workshops for different feedback to developer (massive data import, data handling, protected areas and objects, data forms, object migration etc). Specialist (data man- ager) in the Environmental Agency has been manually transporting data from KESE to EELIS, testing same time details for interface development, also testing Tableau analytics and open data. All four developments/interfaces will be performed during next periods of the programme. Programme component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas” Activity 1. Conservation Management Effectiveness Assessment 2024 was the preparatory phase for the management effectiveness assessment. As the TAIEX TSI project ended, it provided the methodology for the assess- ment. The coordinator made preparatory work about how the assessment will be organised in the Environmental Board. The order was put together that de- scribes the procedures of the assessment within the Environmental Board and describes the roles of different departments in the assessement. The discus- sions were carried out in order to put together the order. The coordinator also put together the list of areas that will be assessed in 2025 and cooperated with the Environmental Agency and the Forest Management Centre about how to gather data necessary for the assessment, initial discussions about the assess- ment IT tool took place. The assessors (Liggi Namm, Kirsi Loide, Kerttu Elm, Andres Miller) were hired from January 1, 2025. Activity 2. Conservation Management Planning Updating the guidelines for management plans. The guidelines are updated and include all the compulsory (legally required) topics, optional topics (e.g. visitor management, green infrastructure, climate changes) will be added in the course of the project. The testing of the changes of the guidelines has started, it means that the project specialists put together new management plans according to the updated guidelines and propose minor changes to the guidelines whenever necessary. The aim was to make the compiling of management plans more effective. Ther are no longer lengthy descriptions in the management plan, tables are used to describe the habitats and species, what the aim of their protection is, what the area and status of the habitat or species is, what the main pressures and threats are, what the conservation measures and activities are. The management plan will be connected with web pages. A data sheet was put together about protected areas using the data analytics tool Tableau and the information will be provided on the web page in the environmental portal (keskkonnaportaal.ee), the data used is from the Estonian Nature Information System

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(EELIS). The web page will be available to the public by the end of March 2025, so there is no need to describe protected areas in management plans, man- agement plans provide the necessary link to the web page. Visitor management infrastructure planning will also be a separate web tool (virtual office). It will be under discussion in 2025. Estonian management plans will use the system of pressures and threats that is used in Natura 2000 habitat and species assessments. The project team put together the list of pressures and threats that can be used for Estonian habitats and species and chose the possible pressures and threats for each habitat. The same was done with measures. Accordingly, it is not necessary to describe them in management plans, you need to choose them from the list. The man- agement plans will be easier to follow and the data can be used in the information system for data analysis. Project experts have started putting together action plans for habitats. The compilation of two action plans has been started: rivers and streams, lakes. The data has been gathered and organised, inventories of lakes and rivers have been planned and will be carried out starting from 2025. The new guidelines for inventories of lakes is under compilation. In cooperation with the Land Board of Estonia a web map for inventories has been put together. It will be made available for the public in February 2025. You can see all the inventories that are carried out in Estonia on the map, land owners can see what inventories are carried out on their land. Other institutions (Environmental Agency, Forest Management Centre etc) have also the access to the page and they can also upload the inventories on the site. The following inventories and expert opinions were ordered in 2024:

1. Updating the guidelines for lake inventories 2. Inventory and expert opinion of the habitats of the crested newt in Lasila, Sadramõtsa, Martsina, Kõõru and Kiksova species’ protection sites (1st part

completed) 3. Expert opinion on the restoriation of natural water regime in Tillniidu Nature Protection Area 4. Inventories of semi-cultural habitats in West Estonia 5. Inventories of protected butterflies in Elva, Prange, Endla and Alam-Pedja SCI 6. Inventories of protected butterflies in Poanse, Kuke-Kiili, Kurese, Väinamere and Marimetsa-Õmma SCI 7. Inventories of protected plants in Mustajõe, Puhatu and Änniksaare SCI (completed) 8. Inventory and protection measures of protected plants in Aseri Lanscape Protection Area (completed) 9. Inventory of protected vascular plants in Sarve Landscape Protection Area 10. Expert opinion of protected plant species of wetland habitats in Kuke-Kiili SCI 11. Expert opinion on the restoration of natural water regime in Kaisma SCI (1st part completed) 12. Expert opinion on the protection measures of the white-tailed eagle and inventory of forest habitats in Karujärve and Ranna SCI (completed) 13. Expert opinion on the restoration of natural water regime and natural habitats in Kalli Landscape Protection Area (completed) 14. Inventory and expert opinion of habitats in Põduste-Upa Limited-Conservation Area (completed)

Activity 3. Species Protection Updating the guidelines of species’ action plans. The guidelines are updated, there isa also a new guideline for the short version of species action plan. The same principles as there were in the guidelines of management plans have been used: there is a new system of pressures, threats and protection measures used. The new topics are included, e.g. when to archive/delete the species’ habitats. All the data of previous action plans and draft copies was gathered,

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discussions about what species need action plans and how to make the process of putting together action plans easier were carried out with the Ministry of Climate. Species were grouped and it was decided that some species’ groups can have a joint action plan, other species can have short action plans. Action plans are being compiled. The following inventories and expert opinions were ordered in 2024:

1. Inventory of the habitats of the moor-king lousewort and Saussurea alpina subsp. Esthonica (completed) 2. Inventory of the thick shelled river mussel in Kurtna-Vilivere and Vääna SCI 3. Expert opinion on updating the action plan of the white-tailed eagle 4. Expert opinion on updating the action plan of the lesser spotted eagle

Changing the categories of protected species. Data on all the protected species has been collected and analysed, principles of assessing the categories of species have been put together and discussed with the Ministry of Climate. On January 22, 2025 the kick-off seminar was organised by the project team, Estonian best species experts were invited to the seminar. 119 people participated in Tartu and more than 140 people listened to the seminar online. All the materials (recordings, presentations, summary, photos) can be found HERE. The seminar also summarised what the project team have done in 2024 (data gathering, principles of assessing the categories, updating the guidelines of management plans, habitat and species’ action plans).

4.2 Status of implementation

4.2.1 Update of implementation schedule

Has the detailed implementation schedule (as originally submitted with the SM Proposal) for the re-

maining SM duration been adjusted in the reporting period? Yes☒ No☐

If yes, the new, updated implementation schedule is in An-

nex:

New implementation schedule provided. There were delay for signing implementation agreement and minister´s directive for components because these doc- uments took more time to prepare.

4.2.2 Procurements

Annex to this report the procurement plan submitted with the last Reimbursement Request. If in the previous reporting period no Reimbursement Request was

submitted, update the procurement plan according to latest information.

Please describe the tenders, for which the contract was awarded during the reporting period. In particular, the following information is requested:

- Justification if non-competitive procedures were used

- Explanation if bids were rejected

- Explanation if there was only one bid

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- Explanation and measures to be taken in case of major differences between the estimated and actual contract value

- Explanation in case of important delays

- Information on any suspected irregularities during the tender process

Please explain also if any tender had to be repeated or cancelled during the reporting period. Finally, inform about any contracts that were extended or whose

contract value was increased during the reporting period.

According to the initial procurement plan following procurements were foreseen to be launched in 2024: 1. “Purchasing mobile 3D bird radar” (990 000 €); 2. “Development of new monitoring methods (eDNA)” (150 000 €) and following to be prepared in 2024 and launched in 2025: “Development of necessary con- nections between IT systems and field work tool” (300 000 €);

First of listed procurements (mobile 3D bird radar purchase) was prepared, but launching was postponed to 2025 because there was need for updated infor- mation about radars available. Study tour was organised in October 2024 to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other flying living organisms and it gave new information that was very valuable for making purchase as effective for monitoring needs and as cost-effective as possible and therefore it also changed procurement documents.

Second listed procurement (eDNA methods) was prepared, but planned to be launched in 2025.

Third listed procurement (Connecting IT systems) together with other IT-procurement in initial procurement plan (“Development of management efficiency assesment tool, web forms and analytics” with estimated cost as 400 000 € foreseen for period 2026/2027) as both IT-development procurements were in- cluded into the large national level framework procurement launched in early spring 2024, before Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme contract. That framework procurement included all IT-developments needed for EELIS IT-system during the period 2024-2028 and ended in 30th of September 2024 with signed framework contract between IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment (KEMIT) and IT developer (Inversion Software OÜ) covering all needed IT- developments related to EELIS IT system in Estonia, including these foreseen in Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme. Due to that there will not be any more procurements foreseen for all IT-developments within frame of that contract (including these foreseen within Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme) as all developments will be done by contracted IT developer according to the contract. New procurement plan schedule provided.

4.2.3 Communication activities

General information about the Support Measure “Biodiversity” is published on the website of the Ministry of Climate https://kliimaministeerium.ee/eesti-sveitsi- koostooprogramm Opening event of the Support Measure took place in Palmse manor on May 30, 2024. It was organised in cooperation with component operators. Ministry of Climate published the press-release about the opening event https://kliimaministeerium.ee/uudised/sveits-panustab-eesti-looduskaitse-inno- vatsiooni Lots of pictures were taken which were used in social media post. In opening event made opening remarks from Swiss representative, Ministry of Climate and Environmental Agency. Programme components gave the over- view of both programmes and there were several presentations about biodiversity in Estonia. At last there were panel discussion “"Nature conservation is not

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rocket science". Second half of the day the participants had an opportunity to attend to practical outdoor activities, for example volunteer monitoring using smartphone application; demonstration of trail camera installation etc. Programme component 1 “Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and sys- tems”

Web page for programme component 1 description and activities presentation in Estonian language is launched and is available here: https://keskkonnaagen-

tuur.ee/šveitsi-eesti-koostooprogrammi-elurikkuse-programm

Events:

1. In 21.09.24 in autumn school of Estonian Theriological Society, monitoring specialist of the Programme component 1, Liisa Rennel, made introductive

presentation of pilot monitoring method of otter (who was animal of the year 2024 in Estonia) with the help of volunteers and performed pilot monitoring with

volunteers also in field in 22.09.24, searching and identifying traces of activity of the otter as well as making photos and entering data through QField applica-

tion in mobile phone. Photos and overview of the event has been posted here: https://www.face-

book.com/photo/?fbid=843845197928546&set=a.231025209210551

2. In 2.10.24 there was held a meeting of the wildlife monitoring team from the institutions in administrative area of the Ministry of Climate. Monitoring special-

ist of the Programme component 1, Liisa Rennel, made a presentation there about possible new monitoring methods that will be tested during the Swiss-

Estonian cooperation programme “Biodiversity programme” component 1 working period. Methods presented were eDNA based methods, usage of mobile 3D

bird radars and involvement of volunteers in biodiversity monitoring.

3. In 24-25.10.24 there was held a seminar for officers working in the field of biodiversity in administrative area of the Ministry of Climate. Project manager

Lauri Klein presented there an overview about all activities planned by the Estonian Environment Agency within the frame of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation

programme “Biodiversity programme” component 1 during the years 2024 to 2027.

4. In 5.12.24 there was held a seminar for the officers working in Wildlife Department of Estonian Environment Agency. Project manager Lauri Klein presented

there an overview about activities done in 2024 and planned for 2025 within the frame of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme “Biodiversity pro-

gramme” component 1. Discussion followed.

Web media / social media posts:

25.11.24 post describing study trip of wolf expert to USA (in Estonian):

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=885069913806074&set=pb.100069092204688.-2207520000&type=3

https://keskkonnaagentuur.ee/node/2009

16.01.25 introductory post about Moose as animal of the year 2025 (in Estonian):

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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=920007736978958&set=a.231025209210551&__cft__[0]=AZUVoEp3-5KgJSG05XQnW0g3n9FMUMmwCfhECBC-

cAnpL9M5EVBp6E0GOfvvk3bmOmCdZVpb1Pl_8Jtc1zLoUbTNZom4cEB196RQyxD8hPp_HVTxfT-qDPtCrv8dHx4hwkSr-

dubyzxScGuu0XQo5IGVlge7EKC_odazU1XN3bCyvZqD0rng8V0sdGSZO8i_QAmrQ&__tn__=EH-R

https://keskkonnaagentuur.ee/node/2086

21.01.25 launching post of voluntary observations campaign for Moose during the year 2025 (including call for volunteers to monitor the Moose and enter the

observations into one of the two open online databases for citizen science in Estonia (Nature Observations Database or eBiodiverity portal) (in Estonian):

https://loodusveeb.ee/et/themes/harrastusteaduse-projektid/podra-vaatluste-kogumine-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_QfxleH-

RuA2FlbQIxMQABHReYnWL5FYEXc7HXl3hCqdMIXxOWWmNrxuro97TqBHjRyrKQ887l5TTmvg_aem_Ny_gcYJkPCpPkjOI0YbSLA

Programme component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas”

EVENTS (most important events are listed)

8 May 2024, the project team participated in the seminar on the protection management effectiveness assessment in Tartu. The seminar summarised the

results of the TSI project funded by the European Commission, the methodology proposed in this project will be used in the assessment of protected areas.

Gunnar Raun made a presentation about the piloting of the methodology. The seminar was organised to introduce the methodology in Estonia.

14-15 May 2024, seminar organised for the heads and leading specialists of the Environmental Board’s departments in the field of wildlife protection and the

department of strategy and analysis (17 participants). The seminar took place in Endla Nature Centre. Riina Kotter introduced the project activities and dis-

cussed the possible cooperation between the departments. Gert Enno introduced what the proposals for the changes in the guidelines of management plans

are and started the discussion what other departments wanted to see in the management plan. It was also discussed what the possibilities for IT solutions

were.

16 May 2024, MS Teams, one-hour long “Coffee Morning” that takes place once a week for the whole Environmental Board. The department of conservation

management planning introduced their activities. Riina Kotter introduced the activities of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme.

29 May 2024, the project team participated in the international MS Teams seminar “Framework for assessment of effectiveness of biodiversity”. The seminar

was organised for the people from other countries who participated in the process of proposing the new methodology for Estonia.

30 May 2024, the project team participated in the opening event of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme in Palmse. Riina Kotter introduced the project

activities of the Environmental Board.

23-24 July, Riina Kotter participated in the meeting for the heads of departments in Kivilõppe to discuss the restructuring of the work connected with species

protection in the Environmental Board and how the activities planned in the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme should be divided within the Environmen-

tal Board if there are changes.

7 August 2024, Polina Degtjarenko, Kaire Kalk and Riina Kotter had a full day meeting with the representatives with the Ministry of Climate in Tartu to discuss

how to organise the discussions about the changes of protection categories of species and what changes should be made to species action plans.

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 17/25

27-28 August 2024 Riina Kotter participated in the meeting for the heads and leading specialists of the Environmental Board’s departments in the field of

wildlife protection. The meeting was held in Nigula Nature Reserve, project activities were also discussed in the meeting.

12-13 September 2024, the first seminar and meeting for the project team in Matsalu National Park (17 participants), the representatives of the Ministry of

Climate and Environmental Agency participated in the lectures and discussions, they introduced how the assessment of the conservation status of the habitats

and species listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives is carried out and what the connection between the assessment, management plans and action plans

is. The other members of the department of conservation planning joined the discussions through MS Teams. Polina Degtjarenko gave a lecture about the

biology and protection of lichens in Estonia, the lecture was accessible for the whole Environmental Board (96 people listened to it). The topic of the second

day of the seminar was bird protection in Matsalu National Park, the lecturer was the ornitologist Olavi Vainu, a trip to the national park was organised.

23 September 2024, MS Teams meeting for the representatives of Ministry of Climate, Environmental Board and Environmental Agency was organised by

Gert Enno in order to discuss the guidelines of management plans.

7-10 October 2024, Marju Keis, Kaire Kalk and Riina Kotter participated in the TAIEX TSI study trip to Czechia. The joint trip was organised to the representa-

tives of Environmental Board, Environmental Agency and Forest Management Centre. The expenses of two participants (Riina Kotter, Kaire Kalk) were paid

by the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme, other expenses were paid by the European Commission. The group visited Nature Conservation Agency of

the Czech Republic, INTEGRA Group and VUKUZ research institute. The topics were: general overview of the nature protection system of Czechia, Nature

Conservation Information System (NCIS), management plans (structure, digitalization, and future plans), monitoring (including inventories, data quality), man-

agemnet cycle, management effectiveness, SDF, conservation objectives, development of the nature conservation system in the EU context (including the EU

accession process), international activities and how they influence the national system. Estonian system of nature protection was introduced. A field trip to

Bohemian Karst was carried out: introduction to monitored plant species, habitats and methods in the office, showcasing the monitoring in the field. The topics

were connected with the activities of the project. Summary of the trip was shared with the whole Environmental Board (ca 500 people) on the internal website

of the Environmental Board. The results of the trip were introduced to the conservation management planning department on a meeting (ca 35 people).

16-17 October 2024, the project team participated in the seminar for the conservation management department that took place in Järva County. Gert Enno

and Kaire Kalk introduced the planned changes in the guidelines of management plans and species action plans, there was a discussion with the whole de-

partment. Riina Kotter introduced the activities of the project.

17 December 2024, Gert Enno and Riina Kotter introduced the new guidelines for management plans to the Ministry of Climate.

Project Web Page: Šveitsi-Eesti koostööprogrammi elurikkuse programm | Keskkonnaamet

Press Releases

- 17 October 2024, the Environmental Board published the press release about the new methodology of protection management assessment (project

supported by the European Commission), in the same press release it was announced that the assessment of the management of protected areas will

be carried out with the funding of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme. The press release was posted on two other web pages.

Valminud on metoodiline raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks | Keskkonnaamet

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 18/25

Valminud on raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks - BEF Estonia

Valminud on metoodiline raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks – Loomaveeb.ee

- 30 December 2024, the Environmental Board of Estonia published the press release that the Environmental Board will start the discussions on the

changing of species protection categories and announced the date of the seminar: 22 January 2025, “Updating the List of Estonian Protected Spe-

cies”. The press release was posted on four other web pages.

Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju | Keskkonnaamet (Environmental Board’s web page)

Keskkonnaamet uuendab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju - Lõunaeestlane

Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju – Loomaveeb.ee

Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju

Kaasajastatakse kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju | Looduskalender.ee

Social Media Posts

2 January 2025, Facebook post: the Environmental Board will start the discussions on the changing of species protection categories and announced the date

of the seminar: 22 January 2025, “Updating the List of Estonian Protected Species”.

30 December 2024, Facebook post and Instagram post about the results of the inventory of the thick shelled river mussel in the Vääna and Keila River.

15 December 2024, Facebook post and Instagram post about the results of the inventory of the moor-king lousewort and the Saussurea alpina subsp. Es-

thonica.

21 October 2024, Facebook post about the new methodology of protection management assessment (project supported by the European Commission) and

that the assessment of the management of protected areas will be carried out with the funding of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme.

4.3 Beneficiaries

No new information at this point.

4.4 Swiss Support Measure Partners

Estonian Environment Agency organised in 27th to 29th of October 2024 study trip to Zurich, Swizerland into the factory of one of the swiss radar producer:

Swiss Birdradar Solution AG (https://swiss-birdradar.com/) in order to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other

flying living organisms. Main goal of the study trip was to visit one of the radar producers in Europe, in order to get better overview about technical

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 19/25

capabilities of radars meant for biodiversity monitoring as well as what kind of specified products are in the market. Stuy trip gave very good overview of

products and radar capabilities and knowledge on what kind of currently available radars will be best for the biodiversity monitoring and what should be their

technical specifications. As a result of that study trip biodiversity mon-itoring team of Estonian Environment Agency has now much better capability to

purchase radars meant for biodiversity monitoring. In the process of purchasing innovative optical devices, such as binoculars with altimeters, laser distance

sensors and thermocameras, Estonian Environment Agency has also been consulting with a company I.V.A. Leon, that has been a representative of Leica in

Estonia as well as has been distributor for swiss company Safran Vectronix AG devices (www.safran-vectronix.ch). Also there is a plan, if possible to have

also study trip to Swizerland either in 2026 or 2027 in order to excange experiences on trail camera network usage for large ungulate and other animals

monitoring. Discussions with swiss side contacts (Ms. Sonja Wipf, Head of Research and Monitoring SNP) on that topic are still under way. There might also

rise a need for one more study visit to Swizerland to share experiences on biodiversity monitoring through networking of volunteers.

The Environmental Board will organise a study trip to Switzerland in the second half of 2025. One of the aims is to visit Swiss National Park, the details of the

trip are under discussion.

4.5 Products and services supplied by Swiss contractors

There are no products and services supplied at this point.

Short description of products/services/works supplied Value of supplied products/ services/ works in the reporting period[CHF]

Name of the Swiss contractor involved

5. Support Measure management

5.1 Organisational level

The Support Measure Agreement between SDC and NCU was signed on 30 April 2024. Also Estonian national legislation was established on 1 August 2024.

This legislation defines the conditions, procedures and roles for using the support provided by the cooperation programme at the national level. The Support

Measure Implementation Agreement between NCU and PO was signed on 19 December 2024.

The Ministry of Climate has 0,3 FTE and this is divided between 2 employees – Kairi Toiger (foreign funds coordinator) and Margit Tennokene (advisor from

biodiversity department).

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 20/25

Programme component 1

Project Manager (1 FTE): Lauri Klein (from 1.06.2024 to 31.12.2027)

Chief specialist (monitoring specialist, 1 FTE): Liisa Rennel (from 1.06.2024 to 31.12.2027)

Specialist (monitoring assistant on Random Encounter Model, 1 FTE): Remek Meel, worked from 1.05.2024 until 31.08.2024; Christel Rose Bachmann (0,5

FTE) and Karl Jakob Toplaan (0,5 FTE) from 16.09.2024 to 31.12.2027

Chief Specialist (IT system specialist, 0,5 FTE): Kaire Sirel (from 1.05.2024 to 31.12.2027)

Specialist (data manager, 1 FTE): Merith Unt (from 1.05.2024 to 31.12.2027)

IT project manager in the IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment (responsible for the development of IT systems, 0,5 FTE): Raul Tammesoo (to be

confirmed).

Programme component 2

Riina Kotter, project manager (0.5 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Marju Keis, project coordinator of conservation management effectiveness assessment (1 FTE, July 1 – October 28, 2024; took the position of the depart-

ment manager in the Environment Agency)

Veljo Runnel, project coordinator of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, December 1 – December 31, 2024; 1 FTE, January 1,

2025 – April 30, 2028)

Kirsi Loide, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Andres Miller, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Kerttu Elm, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Liggi Namm, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Gert Enno, project coordinator of conservation management planning (1 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Liggi Namm, project coordinator of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Kadri Paomees, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (1 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Gunnar Raun, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024, April 30, 2028)

Kirsi Loide, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024)

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 21/25

Triin Amos, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Kristi Pai, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Kaidi Erik, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, February 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Marko Vainu, project expert (lakes and springs; 0.4 FTEs, since September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026)

Jürgen Karvak, project expert (rivers; 0.2 FTEs October 15 – December 31, 2024; 0.4 FTEs January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)

Kaire Kalk, project coordinator of species protection (1 FTE, June 17, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Reet Rannik, project senior specialist of species protection (1 FTE, June 17, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Polina Degtjarenko, project expert of species protection categories (1 FTE, July 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Geili Pütsepp, data analyst (1 FTE, December 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

Virkeli Viiberg, data specialist (1 FTE, December 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)

5.2 Steering Committees

Steering Committee´s first meeting was held on 15th of October 2024 in Microsoft teams were programme operator and components gave overview of the

programme.

Members of the Steering Committee who participated:

Tanel Ross, Programme Operator, the Ministry of Climate;

Timo Kark, Programme Operator, the Ministry of Climate;

Christoph Liechti, Swiss Contribution Office;

Ieva Junevičienė, Swiss Contribution Office;

Helena Musthallik, National Coordination Unit (NCU);

Lauri Klein, Programme Component 1, Environmental Agency;

Riina Kotter, Programme Component 2, Environmental Board.

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 22/25

The members of the Steering Committee agreed to the rules of procedure. Also the Swiss Contribution Office suggested that, in future meetings, the Pro-

gramme Operator and Programme Components should also provide an overview of the budget, logframe, and indicators, which the committee members

agreed upon.

The members of the committee agreed to make more social media posts about study trips and learning events.

The members decided that the next meeting will be held in Estonia from April 14 to 17 2025.

5.3 Audits

There are no audits at this point.

5.4 Evaluation

There are no evaluation at this point Evaluation will take place at 2028.

5.5 Monitoring

According to the Swiss Regulations and national legislation, the NCU is responsible for monitoring. Various tools are used for monitoring, and it is carried out in

cooperation with the Programme Operator, Component Operators, and the SCO. At the Support Measure level, the activities of the components are monitored

through the Task Force, Steering Committee meetings, and Reimbursement Requests, while the achievement of indicators is tracked through Steering Com-

mittee meetings and Annual Support Measure Reports. The NCU also conducts risk-based on-the-spot controls.

Information on the implementation of activities is also exchanged on an ongoing basis through informal meetings and continuous communication between the

relevant parties.

First monitoring mission will take place in April 2025.

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 23/25

6. Risk management

Risk Impact

[1 – 5]

Likeli-

hood

[1 – 5]

Risk level Mitigation measure(s) (including information on status of implementation

and responsibilities)

Institutional reforms 1 3 Low Internal institutional reform is ongoing in the Environmental Board, but it has

low impact on support measure, because the project activities can be

adjusted to the new structure of the institution.

Changes in legislation 3 3 Low-Medium Necessary adjustments in the programme will be made following the legisla-

tive changes

Price of the services and equip-

ment will increase

3 3 Low-Medium To mitigate the risk, we have taken this into account in the preparation of

the budget and we have added necessary buffer. In case buffer will be

not needed we will make a proposal to transfer it to another budget line.

IT developments take longer than

planned

3 4 Medium-High We are already developing procurement documents to save time and start

as soon as agreement is signed.

The number of potential service

providers (including experts) is

limited that impacts public pro-

curements and public procure-

ments may fail

3 3 Low-Medium To mitigate the risks, we have involved stakeholder in the preparation of this

programme and we will actively spread the information of the public pro-

curements and as the number of potential service providers is limited in

Estonia, we will use international public procurements if necessary and

mandatory according to the law.

The quality of services is low

3 3 Low-Medium When ordering services it is necessary to plan well ahead and provide the

quality criteria that need to be followed. The services have to be described in

detail in contracts, if work does not confirm to the contract, a chance to im-

prove the work is given. It is necessary to check the quality services offered

regularly.

Being unable to hire the personnel

for the programme

4 1 Low It is necessary to provide the salaries that motivate, also, services can be

chosen instead.

Overall Risk Level SM Medium-low

553-12.5-00001 \ COO.2101.104.2.2929319 24/25

Overall Risk Description In general we think the risk is low, but there are some risk mentioned above that evaluated as low-medium.

Annexes

# Annex

Updated list of all Programme Components and characteristics in case of Programmes (the same format as in the Reimbursement Request)

Updated implementation schedule

Updated procurement plan (the same format as in the Reimbursement Request)

Updated overview of implementation locations (see template on next page)

Annex x: Overview of Implementation locations

General (Programme Management)

Location name Address

Ministry of Climate Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn,

Programme Component 1 (“Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and im-

provement of Environmental databases and systems”)

Location name Address

Estonian Environment Agency Mustamäe tee 33, Tallinn

Programme Component 2 (“Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conserva-

tion outcomes of protected areas”)

Location name Address

Environmental Board Roheline 64, Pärnu

Implementation schedule_updated_2025.pdf

Preliminary implementation

schedule May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarchApr

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Activity

Conclusion of the Support Measure Agreement

Programme launching event

Conclusion of the Support Measure

Implementation Agreement

Conditions for granting the support (Order by

the Minister of Climate)

Task Force meetings

Steering Committee meetings

Annual Support Measure Reports

Programme closing event

Support Measure Completion Report

Programme Component 1 "Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental data-bases and systems" (operator Environmental Agency)

Management

Development of new monitoring methods

Development of IT systems

Programme Component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas” (operator Environmental Board)

Management

Activity 1: Conservation Management

Effectiveness Assessment

Activity 2: Conservation Management Planning

Activity 3: Species Protection

P ro

gr am

m e

le ve

l

2024 2025

May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarchApr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Programme Component 1 "Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental data-bases and systems" (operator Environmental Agency)

Programme Component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas” (operator Environmental Board)

20272025 2026

MarchApr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MarchApr May June July Aug Sept Oct

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

2027 2028

Procurement Plan_updated_2025.pdf

Programme

Component or

Project Ref. No

Contract Name

If applicable, planned

deadline for

submitting

documentation to

Swiss "non

objection"

Launch of

tender

planned

Tender notice

will be

submitted to

Swiss side

before

publication

English

translation of

tender

documents will

be made

available to

bidders

Actual launch

of tender

(publication

of tender

notice)

Contract

signature

planned

Actual

contract

signature

Contract

completion

planned

Actual

contract

completion

Contractor Comments

quarter / year quarter /

year yes/no yes/no date

quarter /

year date

quarter /

year date EUR CHF EUR CHF name EUR CHF

status/ appeals/ cancelling or repetion of tender

(incl. reason)/ numbers of bidders and rejected

bids/risks/ irregularities related to the tender/

difficulties with the the Contractor/ suspension of

works etc.

Programme Management Procurements above 150 000 CHF are not foreseen

Programme Component 1 “Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and systems”

Purchasing mobile 3D bird radar 2024 2024 yes yes 1Q/2025 4Q/2025 990000 955524

Programme Component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas”Procurements ab ve 150 000 CHF are not foreseen

#REF!

Procurement Plan

Actual costs based on

signed contractsInitially estimated costs Expenditures incurred based

on signed contracts

To be filled in by Programme Operator

Submission of the Annual Support Measure Report for the Support Measure Biodiversity Programme.pdf

Lõkke 4 / 10122 Tallinn / 663 8200 / [email protected] / www.rtk.ee / Registrikood 70007340

Christoph Liechti

Embassy of Switzerland to Latvia,

Lithuania and Estonia

Ours 31.03.2025 no 11.1-5/25/725-1

[email protected]

Smilšu iela 8 Riga

LV-1050 LATVIA

Submission of the Annual Support Measure

Report for the Support Measure

"Biodiversity Programme"

Dear Mr Liechti,

The National Coordination Unit of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme hereby submits

the first Annual Report for the Support Measure „Biodiversity Programme“, covering the period

from 01.05.2024 to 31.12.2024.

Yours sincerely,

(signed digitally)

Urmo Merila

Deputy Director General

Annexes:

Annual Support Measure Report for the Support Measure "Supporting Social Inclusion"

Updated Implementation Schedule

Updated Procurement Plan

Helena Musthallik 5646 6003

[email protected]

Annual Support Measure Report_2025.docx

Second Swiss Contribution
Estonia
Annual Support Measure Report

Support Measure Name
Biodiversity Programme
Reporting Period
01.05.2024 – 31.12.2024
Report Number
I
Report Submission Date
31.03.2025
Partner State Support Measure Code (if any)

Swiss Support Measure Code
7F-10768.01

The instructions for this template are provided with hidden text (blue text in boxes):
• The hidden text is not displayed in the reading mode of Word. [In order to hide this text, uncheck the box “hidden text” in the menu under “Options” -> “Display”.]
• As default setting, this text is not printed. If desired, this can also be changed in the menu under “Options” -> “Display”.
• When creating a pdf (with common engines), the hidden text is not shown in the pdf.

Table of contents

1. Basic Support Measure information 4
2. Report submission and approval 4
3. Overview of results achieved and steering implications 5
4. Support Measure progress 6
4.1 Achievement of Support Measure objectives 6
4.2 Status of implementation 13
4.2.1 Update of implementation schedule 13
4.2.2 Procurements 13
4.2.3 Communication activities 14
4.3 Beneficiaries 18
4.4 Swiss Support Measure Partners 18
4.5 Products and services supplied by Swiss contractors 18
5. Support Measure management 19
5.1 Organisational level 19
5.2 Steering Committees 21
5.3 Audits 22
5.4 Evaluation 22
5.5 Monitoring 22
6. Risk management 23
Annexes 24
Annex x: Overview of Implementation locations 25

List of abbreviations

SCO Swiss Contribution Office
CHF Swiss Franc
CH Switzerland
SM Support Measure
NCU National Coordination Unit

Add all the additional abbreviations used in your report.
1. Basic Support Measure information
Executing Agency type
Programme Operator
Executing Agency name and address
The Ministry of Climate
Name of contact person
Kairi Toiger
E-Mail of contact person
[email protected]
Phone of contact person
+3726262931

SM type
Programme
Objective
Protecting the environment and the climate
Thematic area
Nature conservation and biodiversity
Duration according to
SM Agreement
Start date: 01.05.2024
Completion date: 30.04.2028
Swiss Contribution to the SM CHF
6 930 000

2. Report submission and approval
Executing Agency
The Ministry of Climate
Signature
digitally signed
Name

Position
Secretary General

E-Mail
[email protected]
Phone
+372 626 2931
Date
digitally signed

Delete the table for the approving entity 2, if not applicable. The approving entity can be the NCU, the intermediate body or another institution depending on the country-specific set-up.
3. Overview of results achieved and steering implications
The Ministry of Climate submitted the second-stage Support Measure Proposal to the SCO in February 2024 and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation approved it in March 2024. The Support Measure Agreement was concluded between the NCU and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation on April 30, 2024.
After signing the opening event was held in May at Palmse which was very successful. At the event, the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation was introduced and several presentations were held on topics related to the programme. In addition, there were discussion session and outdoor activities, where participants could choose between various activities.
First Steering Committee meeting was held in October 2024 where Steering Committee agreed to the rules of procedure and Programme Operator and Programme Components provided the overview of the developments of the 'Biodiversity Programme'.
Support measure implementation agreement between the NCU and the Programme Operator was signed 19th of December 2024. The Minister´s directive for the components was signed 28th of February 2025.
List the steering implications for the next reporting period. Give an overview of all steering implications that are envisaged based on findings from audits, evaluations and monitoring (including mitigation measures identified in chapter 6 “Risk management”. If the implementation of the SM does not progress as expected, indicate here specific, time-bound corrective measures and specify next steps and responsibilities.

4. Support Measure progress
4.1 Achievement of Support Measure objectives
Report on Outcomes and Outputs. In the table below, reporting shall be strictly confined to the performance indicators as defined in the logframe and the «Guidelines to Core Indicators of the Second Swiss Contribution» shall be taken into account. Add/delete rows in the table as necessary.
For quantitative indicators where the target value is smaller than the baseline value (i.e. the objective is a reduction), report achievements as negative numbers. For qualitative indicators, the value of the last column (cumulatively achieved as percentage of target) shall be «N/A» (not applicable).
Strategy of intervention
Key Indicators
Baseline
Key Indicators
Target
Achieved this
period
Cumulatively achieved
Cumulatively achieved as percentage of target
Outcomes

Outcome 1

The efficiency and reliability of biodiversity monitoring has improved

Baseline: no automated process, most of the data reaches databases within more than one year

Data collected as part of the biodiversity monitoring programme reaches the databases within one year through automated process

-
-
Outcome 2
The effectiveness of management planning of protected areas as well as protected species and habitats has improved
Baseline: The previous guidelines are outdated (2012, updated 2018)
New guidelines for drawing up management plans of protected areas have been implemented
70%
70%
70%
Outputs

Output 1.1
Existing IT systems (databases and portals) and their connectivity is improved
Baseline: 0 for additional connections and tools (overall, IT systems has already many other existing connections and tools)
At least 4 additional connections or tools for the exchange of data between the IT systems have been established

-
-
Output 1.2
New technologies and novel solutions for biodiversity monitoring are mapped, developed, tested and implemented

Baseline: 0
At least 5 new developed and piloted solutions (Random Encounter Method, Artificial Intelligence, 3D bird radar, eDNA and, other new technical solutions that will be worked out in first stage of the project

-
-
-
Output 2.1
Site-based and national conservation objectives and measures for protected species and habitats are revised

Output 2.2
The conservation management plans of protected areas, action plans for species and habitats are revised and updated
Baseline: 0 (using new methodology)

Baselines: 2 action plans for habitats; 0 conservation management plans for protected areas (using the new format)

Baseline: 0

Baseline: 0

Baseline: 0
The effectiveness of
the management of
at least 300
protected objects (different types of protected areas) is assessed

5 action plans for
habitats; 64
Conservation
management plans
for protected areas
using a new format,
5 action plans for
habitats and 24% of
all the protected
species in Estonia
have action plans.

16% of all the
protected species in
Estonia have action
plans. The
protection
categories of all the protected species’ groups (not separate species) are evaluated

Draft document to
change the
regulations of
protection
categories
is prepared.

The toolset for
Conservation
Management
Effectiveness
assessment is set
up and in use in the
Environmental
Board.
-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Output 3
Competence of the specialists as well as public awareness and engagement is improved
Baseline: 0

• At least 21 trainings/seminars
• At least 8 study trips
• A network of volunteers is created
• At least 20 campaigns to involve volunteers in wildlife monitoring
• 2 bigger events for volunteers
• 2 bigger events for stakeholders
• At least 8 articles of the new solutions in wildlife monitoring
• At least 8 appearances in radio shows
• At least 2 appearances in TV shows
• 1 presentation in Switzerland to introduce the results of the project
• At least 350 people will benefiting from training to improve institutional and professional capacity
2% (3 study trips, 1 event stakeholders, 4 voluntary monitoring methods tested)
2%

Programme component 1 “Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and systems”

Random Encounter Method (REM) has been under practical testing and software development in order to involve AI has been also under testing phase during the 2024. Testing of REM during the spring period of 2024 was done in 39 monitoring areas. Into every area 25-26 trail cameras were installed for at least 35 days. Trail camera photos from spring period are still under manual checking process. From all photo series all positive image cases (start and end time of series), species on images and number of animals on series were registered. 504 210 photo files (630GB) out of ~824 000 photo files (1001,7GB) are manually checked (from 28 monitoring areas out of 39), from which 78 383 were with animals (~7000 different cases). In addition to that fieldwork with trail cameras has also been done in autumn period (29. October to 10. December 2024) on four monitoring areas (on Hiiumaa and Saaremaa Islands), mostly at the same locations where they were also in spring. Photo files are also collected from autumn camera monitoring (30 826 photo files with total amount as 15,2GB), but their analysis will start after spring 2024 files are analysed. Software development for using AI in species detection from trail camera photos is still in testing phase.
For acquisition of mobile 3D bird radars study trip was organised in 27th to 29th of October 2024 to Zurich, Swizerland into the factory of one of the swiss radar producer: Swiss Birdradar Solution AG (https://swiss-birdradar.com/) to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other flying living organisms. Main goal of the study trip was to visit one of the radar producers in Europe, in order to get better overview about technical capabilities of radars meant for biodiversity monitoring as well as what kind of specified products are in the market. Stuy trip gave very good overview of products and radar capabilities and knowledge on what kind of currently available radars will be best for the biodiversity monitoring and what should be their technical specifications. As a result of that study trip biodiversity monitoring team of Estonian Environment Agency has now much better capability to purchase radars meant for biodiversity monitoring. After that study trip draft terms of reference were prepared and coordination of them as well as other needed documents in procurement was started in December 2024. Procurement is planned to be finalised during next period.
For acquisition and testing of new technologies for wildlife biodiversity monitoring first procurement was prepared by the end of the year and following devices were received by now: rugged tablets (5) for testing with fieldwork software QField in voluntary monitoring networks; bat-detectors attachable to mobile phones (11) for testing in voluntary monitoring network campaign in 2025; bird sound recorders with GPS attached (5) for testing in national bird and other animals monitoring methods; GPS-devices compatible with existing bird sound recorders for testing and use in national bird monitoring methods; drone with thermal camera to be tested in night bird monitoring as well as in seal monitoring methods; binoculars with distance meter and altimeter (3) to be tested in national bird monitoring methods, incl. on-site surveys in wind parks; binoculars with thermal camera (1) to be tested in night bird, bat and other animals monitoring methods; fully automated insect monitoring device (2) to be tested in national insect monitoring methods. One very important study trip was held in 16th of September to 2nd of October in 2024: wolf expert of Estonia got very valuable information and hands on experiences on wolf monitoring in USA (Idaho, Montana and Washington States). Main goal of study trip was to get technical knowledge regarding different practical methods in monitoring of wolves - as cost-effective and as small human resource demanding as possible. In Europe many of these methods has not been in use for centuries, but in USA this knowledge is inherited so-called „father-to-son“ and still actively used. Majority of the questions found an answer during the practical activities together with best wolf experts in USA. Biggest gain from that study trip was that one of the best wolf experts in Estonia, who is responsible for state level wolf monitoring has now knowledge for improvement of monitoring methods so, that they will be more cost-effective and less human resourse demanding.
Testing of eDNA usage in biodiversity monitoring methods has been divided into two parts: first testing set has been started during the second half of 2024 and it includes testing eDNA usability and method cost-effectiveness in aquatic environment (rivers) with focus on species identification (crayfish, mussels, dragonflies, diving beetles) and distribution detection (Habitat directive Fish species). For that a separate procurement has been prepared and will be finalised during the next period. Second testing set, testing eDNA usability and method cost-effectiveness in terrestrial environment with focus on bar-coding, e.g. animal dispersal within same species (Flying squirrel, European mink etc) in order to compare current catch and release method with eDNA usage as not affecting animals themselves is planned to be performed during period 2025-2026.
In promoting citizen science and creating network of volunteers 2024 has been preparatory and planning period. Four voluntary monitoring methods, for monitoring otter (QField usage), diving beetles (simple catch-photo-release method), bats (wintering campaign in social media group and preparation for simple mobile based sound recorders usage in summer count) and amphibians (social media campaign) were tested during 2024. Planning of the voluntary monitoring networks to be tested and launched with campaigns are as follows: 2025: moose, as official animal of the year 2025 (in cooperation with Estonian Theriological Society and other third sector associations), wintering bats, reptiles, amphibians, bats in summer habitats, Northern birch mouse, diving beetles, pollinators, globeflower, geese and swans; 2026: nesting birds, night singers, moths, cranes, magpies and crows; 2027: wood ants, dragonflies, swallows, White Stork.
For a development of IT systems (establishment of interfaces between KESE and EELIS; establishment of interface between EELIS and eBiodiversity (PlutoF); development of management plans assessment tool and development of fieldwork tool) 2024 was a preparatory phase: framework contract was signed in September 2024 between IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment and IT developer (Inversion Software OÜ) that won the framework procurement for IT developments in IT-plan of Ministry of Climate for next four years (2025-2028). Preparation of cooperation contract between Estonian Environment Agency and IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment in order to set up framework for all four developments listed above. EELIS2 (new version of IT-system) has been under testing by Chief Specialist (IT system specialist) in the Environmental Agency (responsible for the input of the IT developments and testing). That specialist also participated in weekly EELIS2 development meetings and EELIS1 (old IT-system) development meetings as well as workshops for different feedback to developer (massive data import, data handling, protected areas and objects, data forms, object migration etc). Specialist (data manager) in the Environmental Agency has been manually transporting data from KESE to EELIS, testing same time details for interface development, also testing Tableau analytics and open data. All four developments/interfaces will be performed during next periods of the programme.

Programme component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas”

Activity 1. Conservation Management Effectiveness Assessment
2024 was the preparatory phase for the management effectiveness assessment. As the TAIEX TSI project ended, it provided the methodology for the assessment. The coordinator made preparatory work about how the assessment will be organised in the Environmental Board. The order was put together that describes the procedures of the assessment within the Environmental Board and describes the roles of different departments in the assessement. The discussions were carried out in order to put together the order. The coordinator also put together the list of areas that will be assessed in 2025 and cooperated with the Environmental Agency and the Forest Management Centre about how to gather data necessary for the assessment, initial discussions about the assessment IT tool took place. The assessors (Liggi Namm, Kirsi Loide, Kerttu Elm, Andres Miller) were hired from January 1, 2025.

Activity 2. Conservation Management Planning
Updating the guidelines for management plans. The guidelines are updated and include all the compulsory (legally required) topics, optional topics (e.g. visitor management, green infrastructure, climate changes) will be added in the course of the project. The testing of the changes of the guidelines has started, it means that the project specialists put together new management plans according to the updated guidelines and propose minor changes to the guidelines whenever necessary. The aim was to make the compiling of management plans more effective. Ther are no longer lengthy descriptions in the management plan, tables are used to describe the habitats and species, what the aim of their protection is, what the area and status of the habitat or species is, what the main pressures and threats are, what the conservation measures and activities are.

The management plan will be connected with web pages. A data sheet was put together about protected areas using the data analytics tool Tableau and the information will be provided on the web page in the environmental portal (keskkonnaportaal.ee), the data used is from the Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS). The web page will be available to the public by the end of March 2025, so there is no need to describe protected areas in management plans, management plans provide the necessary link to the web page. Visitor management infrastructure planning will also be a separate web tool (virtual office). It will be under discussion in 2025.

Estonian management plans will use the system of pressures and threats that is used in Natura 2000 habitat and species assessments. The project team put together the list of pressures and threats that can be used for Estonian habitats and species and chose the possible pressures and threats for each habitat. The same was done with measures. Accordingly, it is not necessary to describe them in management plans, you need to choose them from the list. The management plans will be easier to follow and the data can be used in the information system for data analysis.

Project experts have started putting together action plans for habitats. The compilation of two action plans has been started: rivers and streams, lakes. The data has been gathered and organised, inventories of lakes and rivers have been planned and will be carried out starting from 2025. The new guidelines for inventories of lakes is under compilation.

In cooperation with the Land Board of Estonia a web map for inventories has been put together. It will be made available for the public in February 2025. You can see all the inventories that are carried out in Estonia on the map, land owners can see what inventories are carried out on their land. Other institutions (Environmental Agency, Forest Management Centre etc) have also the access to the page and they can also upload the inventories on the site.

The following inventories and expert opinions were ordered in 2024:
1. Updating the guidelines for lake inventories
2. Inventory and expert opinion of the habitats of the crested newt in Lasila, Sadramõtsa, Martsina, Kõõru and Kiksova species’ protection sites (1st part completed)
3. Expert opinion on the restoriation of natural water regime in Tillniidu Nature Protection Area
4. Inventories of semi-cultural habitats in West Estonia
5. Inventories of protected butterflies in Elva, Prange, Endla and Alam-Pedja SCI
6. Inventories of protected butterflies in Poanse, Kuke-Kiili, Kurese, Väinamere and Marimetsa-Õmma SCI
7. Inventories of protected plants in Mustajõe, Puhatu and Änniksaare SCI (completed)
8. Inventory and protection measures of protected plants in Aseri Lanscape Protection Area (completed)
9. Inventory of protected vascular plants in Sarve Landscape Protection Area
10. Expert opinion of protected plant species of wetland habitats in Kuke-Kiili SCI
11. Expert opinion on the restoration of natural water regime in Kaisma SCI (1st part completed)
12. Expert opinion on the protection measures of the white-tailed eagle and inventory of forest habitats in Karujärve and Ranna SCI (completed)
13. Expert opinion on the restoration of natural water regime and natural habitats in Kalli Landscape Protection Area (completed)
14. Inventory and expert opinion of habitats in Põduste-Upa Limited-Conservation Area (completed)

Activity 3. Species Protection

Updating the guidelines of species’ action plans. The guidelines are updated, there isa also a new guideline for the short version of species action plan. The same principles as there were in the guidelines of management plans have been used: there is a new system of pressures, threats and protection measures used. The new topics are included, e.g. when to archive/delete the species’ habitats. All the data of previous action plans and draft copies was gathered, discussions about what species need action plans and how to make the process of putting together action plans easier were carried out with the Ministry of Climate. Species were grouped and it was decided that some species’ groups can have a joint action plan, other species can have short action plans. Action plans are being compiled.

The following inventories and expert opinions were ordered in 2024:
1. Inventory of the habitats of the moor-king lousewort and Saussurea alpina subsp. Esthonica (completed)
2. Inventory of the thick shelled river mussel in Kurtna-Vilivere and Vääna SCI
3. Expert opinion on updating the action plan of the white-tailed eagle
4. Expert opinion on updating the action plan of the lesser spotted eagle

Changing the categories of protected species. Data on all the protected species has been collected and analysed, principles of assessing the categories of species have been put together and discussed with the Ministry of Climate. On January 22, 2025 the kick-off seminar was organised by the project team, Estonian best species experts were invited to the seminar. 119 people participated in Tartu and more than 140 people listened to the seminar online. All the materials (recordings, presentations, summary, photos) can be found HERE. The seminar also summarised what the project team have done in 2024 (data gathering, principles of assessing the categories, updating the guidelines of management plans, habitat and species’ action plans).

4.2 Status of implementation
4.2.1 Update of implementation schedule
Has the detailed implementation schedule (as originally submitted with the SM Proposal) for the remaining SM duration been adjusted in the reporting period?
Yes☒ No☐
If yes, the new, updated implementation schedule is in Annex:

Provide the reason for the adjustments (if any).

New implementation schedule provided. There were delay for signing implementation agreement and minister´s directive for components because these documents took more time to prepare.
4.2.2 Procurements
Annex to this report the procurement plan submitted with the last Reimbursement Request. If in the previous reporting period no Reimbursement Request was submitted, update the procurement plan according to latest information.
Please describe the tenders, for which the contract was awarded during the reporting period. In particular, the following information is requested:
• Justification if non-competitive procedures were used
• Explanation if bids were rejected
• Explanation if there was only one bid
• Explanation and measures to be taken in case of major differences between the estimated and actual contract value
• Explanation in case of important delays
• Information on any suspected irregularities during the tender process
Please explain also if any tender had to be repeated or cancelled during the reporting period. Finally, inform about any contracts that were extended or whose contract value was increased during the reporting period.

According to the initial procurement plan following procurements were foreseen to be launched in 2024: 1. “Purchasing mobile 3D bird radar” (990 000 €); 2. “Development of new monitoring methods (eDNA)” (150 000 €) and following to be prepared in 2024 and launched in 2025: “Development of necessary connections between IT systems and field work tool” (300 000 €);
First of listed procurements (mobile 3D bird radar purchase) was prepared, but launching was postponed to 2025 because there was need for updated information about radars available. Study tour was organised in October 2024 to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other flying living organisms and it gave new information that was very valuable for making purchase as effective for monitoring needs and as cost-effective as possible and therefore it also changed procurement documents.
Second listed procurement (eDNA methods) was prepared, but planned to be launched in 2025.
Third listed procurement (Connecting IT systems) together with other IT-procurement in initial procurement plan (“Development of management efficiency assesment tool, web forms and analytics” with estimated cost as 400 000 € foreseen for period 2026/2027) as both IT-development procurements were included into the large national level framework procurement launched in early spring 2024, before Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme contract. That framework procurement included all IT-developments needed for EELIS IT-system during the period 2024-2028 and ended in 30th of September 2024 with signed framework contract between IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment (KEMIT) and IT developer (Inversion Software OÜ) covering all needed IT-developments related to EELIS IT system in Estonia, including these foreseen in Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme. Due to that there will not be any more procurements foreseen for all IT-developments within frame of that contract (including these foreseen within Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme) as all developments will be done by contracted IT developer according to the contract.

New procurement plan schedule provided.
4.2.3 Communication activities
General information about the Support Measure “Biodiversity” is published on the website of the Ministry of Climate https://kliimaministeerium.ee/eesti-sveitsi-koostooprogramm
Opening event of the Support Measure took place in Palmse manor on May 30, 2024. It was organised in cooperation with component operators.
Ministry of Climate published the press-release about the opening event https://kliimaministeerium.ee/uudised/sveits-panustab-eesti-looduskaitse-innovatsiooni Lots of pictures were taken which were used in social media post.

In opening event made opening remarks from Swiss representative, Ministry of Climate and Environmental Agency. Programme components gave the overview of both programmes and there were several presentations about biodiversity in Estonia. At last there were panel discussion “"Nature conservation is not rocket science". Second half of the day the participants had an opportunity to attend to practical outdoor activities, for example volunteer monitoring using smartphone application; demonstration of trail camera installation etc.

Programme component 1 “Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and systems”

Web page for programme component 1 description and activities presentation in Estonian language is launched and is available here: https://keskkonnaagentuur.ee/šveitsi-eesti-koostooprogrammi-elurikkuse-programm
Events:
1. In 21.09.24 in autumn school of Estonian Theriological Society, monitoring specialist of the Programme component 1, Liisa Rennel, made introductive presentation of pilot monitoring method of otter (who was animal of the year 2024 in Estonia) with the help of volunteers and performed pilot monitoring with volunteers also in field in 22.09.24, searching and identifying traces of activity of the otter as well as making photos and entering data through QField application in mobile phone. Photos and overview of the event has been posted here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=843845197928546&set=a.231025209210551
2. In 2.10.24 there was held a meeting of the wildlife monitoring team from the institutions in administrative area of the Ministry of Climate. Monitoring specialist of the Programme component 1, Liisa Rennel, made a presentation there about possible new monitoring methods that will be tested during the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme “Biodiversity programme” component 1 working period. Methods presented were eDNA based methods, usage of mobile 3D bird radars and involvement of volunteers in biodiversity monitoring.
3. In 24-25.10.24 there was held a seminar for officers working in the field of biodiversity in administrative area of the Ministry of Climate. Project manager Lauri Klein presented there an overview about all activities planned by the Estonian Environment Agency within the frame of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme “Biodiversity programme” component 1 during the years 2024 to 2027.
4. In 5.12.24 there was held a seminar for the officers working in Wildlife Department of Estonian Environment Agency. Project manager Lauri Klein presented there an overview about activities done in 2024 and planned for 2025 within the frame of the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme “Biodiversity programme” component 1. Discussion followed.
Web media / social media posts:
25.11.24 post describing study trip of wolf expert to USA (in Estonian):
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=885069913806074&set=pb.100069092204688.-2207520000&type=3
https://keskkonnaagentuur.ee/node/2009
16.01.25 introductory post about Moose as animal of the year 2025 (in Estonian):
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=920007736978958&set=a.231025209210551&__cft__[0]=AZUVoEp3-5KgJSG05XQnW0g3n9FMUMmwCfhECBCcAnpL9M5EVBp6E0GOfvvk3bmOmCdZVpb1Pl_8Jtc1zLoUbTNZom4cEB196RQyxD8hPp_HVTxfT-qDPtCrv8dHx4hwkSrdubyzxScGuu0XQo5IGVlge7EKC_odazU1XN3bCyvZqD0rng8V0sdGSZO8i_QAmrQ&__tn__=EH-R
https://keskkonnaagentuur.ee/node/2086
21.01.25 launching post of voluntary observations campaign for Moose during the year 2025 (including call for volunteers to monitor the Moose and enter the observations into one of the two open online databases for citizen science in Estonia (Nature Observations Database or eBiodiverity portal) (in Estonian):
https://loodusveeb.ee/et/themes/harrastusteaduse-projektid/podra-vaatluste-kogumine-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_QfxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHReYnWL5FYEXc7HXl3hCqdMIXxOWWmNrxuro97TqBHjRyrKQ887l5TTmvg_aem_Ny_gcYJkPCpPkjOI0YbSLA
Programme component 2 “Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas”

EVENTS (most important events are listed)
8 May 2024, the project team participated in the seminar on the protection management effectiveness assessment in Tartu. The seminar summarised the results of the TSI project funded by the European Commission, the methodology proposed in this project will be used in the assessment of protected areas. Gunnar Raun made a presentation about the piloting of the methodology. The seminar was organised to introduce the methodology in Estonia.
14-15 May 2024, seminar organised for the heads and leading specialists of the Environmental Board’s departments in the field of wildlife protection and the department of strategy and analysis (17 participants). The seminar took place in Endla Nature Centre. Riina Kotter introduced the project activities and discussed the possible cooperation between the departments. Gert Enno introduced what the proposals for the changes in the guidelines of management plans are and started the discussion what other departments wanted to see in the management plan. It was also discussed what the possibilities for IT solutions were.
16 May 2024, MS Teams, one-hour long “Coffee Morning” that takes place once a week for the whole Environmental Board. The department of conservation management planning introduced their activities. Riina Kotter introduced the activities of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme.
29 May 2024, the project team participated in the international MS Teams seminar “Framework for assessment of effectiveness of biodiversity”. The seminar was organised for the people from other countries who participated in the process of proposing the new methodology for Estonia.
30 May 2024, the project team participated in the opening event of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme in Palmse. Riina Kotter introduced the project activities of the Environmental Board.
23-24 July, Riina Kotter participated in the meeting for the heads of departments in Kivilõppe to discuss the restructuring of the work connected with species protection in the Environmental Board and how the activities planned in the Swiss-Estonian cooperation programme should be divided within the Environmental Board if there are changes.
7 August 2024, Polina Degtjarenko, Kaire Kalk and Riina Kotter had a full day meeting with the representatives with the Ministry of Climate in Tartu to discuss how to organise the discussions about the changes of protection categories of species and what changes should be made to species action plans.
27-28 August 2024 Riina Kotter participated in the meeting for the heads and leading specialists of the Environmental Board’s departments in the field of wildlife protection. The meeting was held in Nigula Nature Reserve, project activities were also discussed in the meeting.
12-13 September 2024, the first seminar and meeting for the project team in Matsalu National Park (17 participants), the representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Environmental Agency participated in the lectures and discussions, they introduced how the assessment of the conservation status of the habitats and species listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives is carried out and what the connection between the assessment, management plans and action plans is. The other members of the department of conservation planning joined the discussions through MS Teams. Polina Degtjarenko gave a lecture about the biology and protection of lichens in Estonia, the lecture was accessible for the whole Environmental Board (96 people listened to it). The topic of the second day of the seminar was bird protection in Matsalu National Park, the lecturer was the ornitologist Olavi Vainu, a trip to the national park was organised.
23 September 2024, MS Teams meeting for the representatives of Ministry of Climate, Environmental Board and Environmental Agency was organised by Gert Enno in order to discuss the guidelines of management plans.
7-10 October 2024, Marju Keis, Kaire Kalk and Riina Kotter participated in the TAIEX TSI study trip to Czechia. The joint trip was organised to the representatives of Environmental Board, Environmental Agency and Forest Management Centre. The expenses of two participants (Riina Kotter, Kaire Kalk) were paid by the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme, other expenses were paid by the European Commission. The group visited Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, INTEGRA Group and VUKUZ research institute. The topics were: general overview of the nature protection system of Czechia, Nature Conservation Information System (NCIS), management plans (structure, digitalization, and future plans), monitoring (including inventories, data quality), managemnet cycle, management effectiveness, SDF, conservation objectives, development of the nature conservation system in the EU context (including the EU accession process), international activities and how they influence the national system. Estonian system of nature protection was introduced. A field trip to Bohemian Karst was carried out: introduction to monitored plant species, habitats and methods in the office, showcasing the monitoring in the field. The topics were connected with the activities of the project. Summary of the trip was shared with the whole Environmental Board (ca 500 people) on the internal website of the Environmental Board. The results of the trip were introduced to the conservation management planning department on a meeting (ca 35 people).

16-17 October 2024, the project team participated in the seminar for the conservation management department that took place in Järva County. Gert Enno and Kaire Kalk introduced the planned changes in the guidelines of management plans and species action plans, there was a discussion with the whole department. Riina Kotter introduced the activities of the project.

17 December 2024, Gert Enno and Riina Kotter introduced the new guidelines for management plans to the Ministry of Climate.

Project Web Page: Šveitsi-Eesti koostööprogrammi elurikkuse programm | Keskkonnaamet
Press Releases
• 17 October 2024, the Environmental Board published the press release about the new methodology of protection management assessment (project supported by the European Commission), in the same press release it was announced that the assessment of the management of protected areas will be carried out with the funding of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme. The press release was posted on two other web pages.
Valminud on metoodiline raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks | Keskkonnaamet
Valminud on raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks - BEF Estonia
Valminud on metoodiline raamistik ja tegevuskava Eesti looduskaitse tulemuslikkuse hindamiseks – Loomaveeb.ee
• 30 December 2024, the Environmental Board of Estonia published the press release that the Environmental Board will start the discussions on the changing of species protection categories and announced the date of the seminar: 22 January 2025, “Updating the List of Estonian Protected Species”. The press release was posted on four other web pages.
Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju | Keskkonnaamet (Environmental Board’s web page)
Keskkonnaamet uuendab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju - Lõunaeestlane
Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju – Loomaveeb.ee
Keskkonnaamet kaasajastab Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju
Kaasajastatakse kaitsealuste liikide nimekirju | Looduskalender.ee
Social Media Posts
2 January 2025, Facebook post: the Environmental Board will start the discussions on the changing of species protection categories and announced the date of the seminar: 22 January 2025, “Updating the List of Estonian Protected Species”.
30 December 2024, Facebook post and Instagram post about the results of the inventory of the thick shelled river mussel in the Vääna and Keila River.
15 December 2024, Facebook post and Instagram post about the results of the inventory of the moor-king lousewort and the Saussurea alpina subsp. Esthonica.
21 October 2024, Facebook post about the new methodology of protection management assessment (project supported by the European Commission) and that the assessment of the management of protected areas will be carried out with the funding of the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme.
Provide information on communication measures undertaken in the reporting period. Inform also about show cases or success stories, which could be interesting for the communication in CH.
If the planned communication activities described in the SM Proposal have been adjusted in the reporting period, inform about these modifications.
Refer to the “Communication and Information Manual” for practical guidance and requirements related to communication.
4.3 Beneficiaries
If new information on beneficiaries (e.g. government agency, ministry, municipality, NGO, general population, specific group of people, private sector etc.). became available during the reporting period (e.g. due to the approval of a programme component during the reporting period), provide a description of all beneficiaries. Update the list on implementation locations (see annex)

No new information at this point.
4.4 Swiss Support Measure Partners
List all Swiss SM partners and describe the collaboration and the exchange of know-how during the reporting period.
Estonian Environment Agency organised in 27th to 29th of October 2024 study trip to Zurich, Swizerland into the factory of one of the swiss radar producer: Swiss Birdradar Solution AG (https://swiss-birdradar.com/) in order to get updated information about radar types that are specified for birds as well as other flying living organisms. Main goal of the study trip was to visit one of the radar producers in Europe, in order to get better overview about technical capabilities of radars meant for biodiversity monitoring as well as what kind of specified products are in the market. Stuy trip gave very good overview of products and radar capabilities and knowledge on what kind of currently available radars will be best for the biodiversity monitoring and what should be their technical specifications. As a result of that study trip biodiversity mon-itoring team of Estonian Environment Agency has now much better capability to purchase radars meant for biodiversity monitoring. In the process of purchasing innovative optical devices, such as binoculars with altimeters, laser distance sensors and thermocameras, Estonian Environment Agency has also been consulting with a company I.V.A. Leon, that has been a representative of Leica in Estonia as well as has been distributor for swiss company Safran Vectronix AG devices (www.safran-vectronix.ch). Also there is a plan, if possible to have also study trip to Swizerland either in 2026 or 2027 in order to excange experiences on trail camera network usage for large ungulate and other animals monitoring. Discussions with swiss side contacts (Ms. Sonja Wipf, Head of Research and Monitoring SNP) on that topic are still under way. There might also rise a need for one more study visit to Swizerland to share experiences on biodiversity monitoring through networking of volunteers.
The Environmental Board will organise a study trip to Switzerland in the second half of 2025. One of the aims is to visit Swiss National Park, the details of the trip are under discussion.
4.5 Products and services supplied by Swiss contractors
List the products and services supplied by Swiss contractors (or sub-contractors) in the frame of the SM during the reporting period in the table below (table to be completed over the years). A (sub-) contractor is considered to be Swiss if either its headquarter is based in Switzerland or it has a production facility in Switzerland, which was involved in fulfilling the contract.
In case of Programmes, structure the table according to Programme Components.

There are no products and services supplied at this point.
Short description of products/services/works supplied
Value of supplied products/ services/ works in the reporting
period[CHF]
Name of the Swiss contractor involved

5. Support Measure management
5.1 Organisational level
Provide information on human resources and issues on the organisational level that affected the management of the SM.

The Support Measure Agreement between SDC and NCU was signed on 30 April 2024. Also Estonian national legislation was established on 1 August 2024. This legislation defines the conditions, procedures and roles for using the support provided by the cooperation programme at the national level. The Support Measure Implementation Agreement between NCU and PO was signed on 19 December 2024.
The Ministry of Climate has 0,3 FTE and this is divided between 2 employees – Kairi Toiger (foreign funds coordinator) and Margit Tennokene (advisor from biodiversity department).

Programme component 1
Project Manager (1 FTE): Lauri Klein (from 1.06.2024 to 31.12.2027)
Chief specialist (monitoring specialist, 1 FTE): Liisa Rennel (from 1.06.2024 to 31.12.2027)
Specialist (monitoring assistant on Random Encounter Model, 1 FTE): Remek Meel, worked from 1.05.2024 until 31.08.2024; Christel Rose Bachmann (0,5 FTE) and Karl Jakob Toplaan (0,5 FTE) from 16.09.2024 to 31.12.2027
Chief Specialist (IT system specialist, 0,5 FTE): Kaire Sirel (from 1.05.2024 to 31.12.2027)
Specialist (data manager, 1 FTE): Merith Unt (from 1.05.2024 to 31.12.2027)
IT project manager in the IT Centre of the Ministry of the Environment (responsible for the development of IT systems, 0,5 FTE): Raul Tammesoo (to be confirmed).
Programme component 2
Riina Kotter, project manager (0.5 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Marju Keis, project coordinator of conservation management effectiveness assessment (1 FTE, July 1 – October 28, 2024; took the position of the department manager in the Environment Agency)
Veljo Runnel, project coordinator of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, December 1 – December 31, 2024; 1 FTE, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Kirsi Loide, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Andres Miller, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Kerttu Elm, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Liggi Namm, project senior specialist of conservation management effectiveness assessment (0.5 FTEs, January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Gert Enno, project coordinator of conservation management planning (1 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Liggi Namm, project coordinator of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Kadri Paomees, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (1 FTE, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Gunnar Raun, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024, April 30, 2028)
Kirsi Loide, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024)
Triin Amos, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Kristi Pai, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Kaidi Erik, project senior specialist of conservation management planning (0.5 FTEs, February 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Marko Vainu, project expert (lakes and springs; 0.4 FTEs, since September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026)
Jürgen Karvak, project expert (rivers; 0.2 FTEs October 15 – December 31, 2024; 0.4 FTEs January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2028)
Kaire Kalk, project coordinator of species protection (1 FTE, June 17, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Reet Rannik, project senior specialist of species protection (1 FTE, June 17, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Polina Degtjarenko, project expert of species protection categories (1 FTE, July 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Geili Pütsepp, data analyst (1 FTE, December 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
Virkeli Viiberg, data specialist (1 FTE, December 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028)
5.2 Steering Committees
Steering Committee´s first meeting was held on 15th of October 2024 in Microsoft teams were programme operator and components gave overview of the programme.
Members of the Steering Committee who participated:
Tanel Ross, Programme Operator, the Ministry of Climate;
Timo Kark, Programme Operator, the Ministry of Climate;
Christoph Liechti, Swiss Contribution Office;
Ieva Junevičienė, Swiss Contribution Office;
Helena Musthallik, National Coordination Unit (NCU);
Lauri Klein, Programme Component 1, Environmental Agency;
Riina Kotter, Programme Component 2, Environmental Board.

The members of the Steering Committee agreed to the rules of procedure. Also the Swiss Contribution Office suggested that, in future meetings, the Programme Operator and Programme Components should also provide an overview of the budget, logframe, and indicators, which the committee members agreed upon.
The members of the committee agreed to make more social media posts about study trips and learning events.
The members decided that the next meeting will be held in Estonia from April 14 to 17 2025.

Provide information on Steering Committee meetings held during the reporting period and summarize the decisions taken, especially regarding SM modifications (including budget modifications and – in case of Programmes – approval of Programme Components.
5.3 Audits
Inform about financial or any other audits concerning the SM carried out during the reporting year or for which follow-up measures are still to be taken. Summarize the follow-up measures (planned to be) taken to address the detected shortcomings. In addition, specify the Programme Components concerned by the shortcomings.

There are no audits at this point.
5.4 Evaluation
Inform about the main results of evaluations of the SM carried out during the reporting period (including key elements from the Management Responses). Inform also about the follow-up measures (planned to be) taken to address any detected shortcomings. In case of Programme, structure the information according to Programme Components.

There are no evaluation at this point Evaluation will take place at 2028.
5.5 Monitoring
Provide information on monitoring activities (for example site visits by the NCU, Intermediate Body or Programme Operator) during the reporting period. Give information on any findings which may jeopardize the successful implementation of the SM. In case of Programme, structure the information according to Programme Components.
According to the Swiss Regulations and national legislation, the NCU is responsible for monitoring. Various tools are used for monitoring, and it is carried out in cooperation with the Programme Operator, Component Operators, and the SCO. At the Support Measure level, the activities of the components are monitored through the Task Force, Steering Committee meetings, and Reimbursement Requests, while the achievement of indicators is tracked through Steering Committee meetings and Annual Support Measure Reports. The NCU also conducts risk-based on-the-spot controls.
Information on the implementation of activities is also exchanged on an ongoing basis through informal meetings and continuous communication between the relevant parties.
First monitoring mission will take place in April 2025.

6. Risk management
Please update the overall risk assessment provided in the SM proposal by elaborating a short description of the following potential or already materializing risks and by suggesting mitigation measures:
• Development Risk
• Security Risk
• Fiduciary Risk
• Financial Risk
• Environmental Risk
• Social Risk
Inform about and explain the developments and differences compared to the original risk analysis in the SM Proposal. Take into account the risks that were relevant during the reporting period as well as risks that recently occurred up until the moment of drafting this report.
For Programmes, focus on risks at the level of the Programme. In addition, specify in this section if there are any high risk Programme Components with specific risks and mitigation measures.
For further detailed instructions please refer to the instructions in the SM Proposal.

Risk
Impact

[1 – 5]
Likelihood
[1 – 5]
Risk level
Mitigation measure(s) (including information on status of implementation and responsibilities)
Institutional reforms

1
3
Low
Internal institutional reform is ongoing in the Environmental Board, but it has low impact on support measure, because the project activities can be adjusted to the new structure of the institution.
Changes in legislation
3
3
Low-Medium
Necessary adjustments in the programme will be made following the legislative changes
Price of the services and equipment will increase
3
3
Low-Medium
To mitigate the risk, we have taken this into account in the preparation of the budget and we have added necessary buffer. In case buffer will be not needed we will make a proposal to transfer it to another budget line.
IT developments take longer than planned

3
4
Medium-High
We are already developing procurement documents to save time and start as soon as agreement is signed.
The number of potential service providers (including experts) is limited that impacts public procurements and public procurements may fail
3
3
Low-Medium
To mitigate the risks, we have involved stakeholder in the preparation of this programme and we will actively spread the information of the public procurements and as the number of potential service providers is limited in Estonia, we will use international public procurements if necessary and mandatory according to the law.
The quality of services is low

3
3
Low-Medium
When ordering services it is necessary to plan well ahead and provide the quality criteria that need to be followed. The services have to be described in detail in contracts, if work does not confirm to the contract, a chance to improve the work is given. It is necessary to check the quality services offered regularly.

Being unable to hire the personnel for the programme
4
1
Low
It is necessary to provide the salaries that motivate, also, services can be chosen instead.

Overall Risk Level SM
Medium-low
Overall Risk Description
In general we think the risk is low, but there are some risk mentioned above that evaluated as low-medium.

Annexes
List here all Annexes to this report.
#
Annex

Updated list of all Programme Components and characteristics in case of Programmes (the same format as in the Reimbursement Request)

Updated implementation schedule

Updated procurement plan (the same format as in the Reimbursement Request)

Updated overview of implementation locations (see template on next page)

Annex x: Overview of Implementation locations

General (Programme Management)
Location name
Address
Ministry of Climate
Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn,

Programme Component 1 (“Development of innovative monitoring technologies/solutions and improvement of Environmental databases and systems”)
Location name
Address
Estonian Environment Agency
Mustamäe tee 33, Tallinn

Programme Component 2 (“Implementation of a systematic assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas”)
Location name
Address
Environmental Board
Roheline 64, Pärnu