Background The Russian Federation has a system of protected areas (PAs) of different status – federal, regional, and municipal. Many of the existing and proposed PAs are of national and global value because of their fragile landscapes, key biotopes and habitats, and rare, endangered, and overexploited species. A number of PAs have international status under the Ramsar and Helsinki Conventions, as Biosphere Reserves, and in addition include World Heritage sites. However, although the networking between PAs is relatively well developed, their current functional state and management vary significantly. In some cases, regional PAs do not have on-site management, developed infrastructure or an operational centre. Improving the effectiveness of regional PAs is important for the preservation of wilderness and the development of an operational network of PAs. Objectives The objective of the project was to achieve the sustainable development of the network of PAs in the Leningrad region. The project would: Analyse the regional system of PAs Develop legal frameworks Initiate the management of PAs according to European standards and promote collaboration with local businesses and the local population Design a training programme for PA staff Prepare and disseminate information material Involve local experts and decision-makers in planning the management of PAs. Results The project has achieved its objectives. It contributed to biodiversity conservation and to wildlife preservation in the Leningrad Region by providing practical solutions for conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Several management decision tools are now available for decision-makers, NGOs and academia of the region to enable a more effective management of natural resources in and near the region’s protected areas. The following major results were achieved: A list of the most threatened protected areas in the Leningrad Oblast (region) was developed to improve management and provide biodiversity conservation in these sites. A list of protected areas eligible for inclusion in international ecological networks (Baltic Sea Protected Areas, the Emerald network, Ramsar sites) was drawn up. It was established which documents would be needed to be submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation for the nomination of these territories. A system of periodic monitoring of the protected areas was developed through a revision of the methodological base and field research. Legislation was drafted to provide the organization of monitoring, research, recreation and ecological education, protection and restoration of valuable biological objects and land use in relation to protected areas. A database on “Protected areas of the Leningrad Region” was created for use by regional planners and scientists. Some of this information is accessible via the website: www.paslo.ru. The project also developed an electronic version of the Red Data Book of the Leningrad Region. Training programs were developed for staff working in protected areas, land users, and visitors A series of dissemination materials was published (brochures, books, leaflest, etc) to provide different stakeholders with information about regional protected areas of the Leningrad Oblast, and promote their involvement in the management of those areas. Most of these materials are available on the project website: http://pa.iucn.ru. A report on visitors' centres produced by the LIFE project is being used outside the Leningrad Oblast by several of Russia’s federal national parks. Project partners have also expressed a willingness to continue to work towards the aims of the project after LIFE.