Background The Pannonian grasslands were formed through centuries of extensive grassland management practices, especially through extensive grazing. The grasslands and steppes found in Hungary are of a unique character and are listed as priority habitats in the Habitats Directive. The project targets six of these habitat types, including Pannonic steppic grasslands, sand steppes and salt steppes. As a result of the EU accession negotiations, Hungary receives very few structural funds for extensive and nature conservation-friendly management practices (CAP II pillar), and mainly receives funds for intensive agricultural practices (CAP I pillar). Consequently, farmers feel encouraged to change the management of their grasslands by either intensifying its use, ploughing and applying fertilisers, or abandoning all management and letting the grasslands revert to forest. Both courses of action are threatening the existence of the Pannonian grasslands. Objectives The objectives of the project were to: Explore and test the best possible grassland management methods; Ensure ecological and economical sustainability of grassland management; and Ensure availability of management information to practitioners. The project aimed to restore, conserve and sustainably manage 720 ha of six characteristic grasslands and steppes in the Pannonian Biogeographic Region. The development of economically and ecologically sustainable management plans was foreseen for each habitat type and practical management with grazing, mowing, hydrological works and clearing of overgrowth were envisaged. The aim was to disseminate information on best practice management to land managers, farmers and the general public, and to encourage the application of these practices on patches of existing habitats as well as in agricultural areas. Based on the project results, the Land Stewardship Advisory Service of BirdLife Hungary (LSAS) aimed to provide knowledge, information and consultation services to daily managers of the project sites and to the farmers in buffer zones around the Natura 2000 areas. After the project, LSAS aimed to continue to provide these services to the land managers. Results The project focused on six Natura 2000 sites (Leányvári löszvölgy, Nagydorogi szenes legelo, Darányi borókás, Tószegi legelo, Vértesboglári legelo and Belsobárándi löszvölgy) containing the targeted habitat priority types:1530 Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes, 2340 Pannonic inland dunes, 6240 Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands 6250 Pannonic loess steppic grasslands and 6260 Pannonic sand steppes. Despite a very difficult start and severe management problems, all the main project measures and activities were completed in accordance with the revised project proposal: More than 100 ha of woodlands and scrubs were removed from abandoned grasslands, More than 350 hectares were managed by grazing annually, More than 280 hectares were mowed or mulched every year. The project developed a unique online database on grassland management that contains very valuable information, which is accessible to the public. A policy paper on the sustainable management of Hungarian grasslands was also developed within the scope of the project. The document was negotiated with and accepted by relevant ministries. This document will serve as a first step towards the professional planning of grassland management and a national strategy for conservation and use of grassland habitats. Other results of the project included: The completion status survey of all six project sites and update of Natura 2000 standard datasheets; The completion and update of management plans for all six project sites; The publication of a handbook for the project participants and the holding of a kick-off meeting; The purchase of suitable equipment for animal husbandry and for grassland management; The purchase of a total of 554 sheep (traditional breeds) for grassland management on three sites; The erection of good quality information boards on all six sites; The production of valuable and high-quality dissemination products such as leaflets, brochure, dossiers, layman’s report and a project film; The development of a project website; The organisation of expert forums as well as workshops for farmers and the public; The publication of the Grassland Management Yearbook and the comprehensive Handbook of Grassland Management; The holding of an International Symposium on Grassland management; The monitoring of grassland management of all sites and the compilation of a comprehensive Monitoring Report containing all monitoring results; The drawing up of an After LIFE Conservation Plan that was agreed with relevant project partners.