Background The managing authorities of Natura 2000 network sites are responsible - under the EU Habitats and Birds directives - for monitoring the species and habitats of Community interest found on their sites. However, according to international, national and regional surveys this monitoring activity has been found to be deficient in Italian Natura 2000 network sites. A lack of updated monitoring data is reflected in the inadequate level of inputs and updates to the Natura 2000 database, managed by the Italian Ministry of the Environment. One of the key causes of these deficiencies has been identified as a lack of dedicated staff and resources. Objectives The overall objective of Life Net pro Net is to create a network of volunteers to contribute to the management of Natura 2000 sites and to help spread knowledge and awareness about the Natura 2000 network to local communities. The project will develop a model to support the active management of Natura 2000 sites, based on a structured, national network of volunteers. The idea is that such a model could be easily replicated in other EU countries. The specific project objectives are: Using multimedia tools, to create a recruitment campaign for local conservation groups, called GLCs, targeting volunteers interested in being involved in the active management of Natura 2000 sites, and in helping to make local people more aware of the importance of the Natura 2000 network; To make GLC actions especially effective, through training and a volunteer coordination process for carrying out monitoring and surveillance at selected Natura 2000 sites; To enable the GLCs to raise awareness among local people and local stakeholders at selected Natura 2000 sites; and To establish good collaboration between the GLCs and the management authorities at selected Natura 2000 sites. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: A recruitment website providing online training and exchange of information collected by volunteer groups; Selection of 15 Natura 2000 sites to implement the project and monitor the bird species; A communication plan; Recruitment of a minimum of 150 new volunteers in 15 GLCs, responsible for monitoring and overseeing the selected (15) Natura 2000 sites; A 70% increase in the knowledge of volunteers on topics relating to the Natura 2000 network by the end of the training programme; An increase (by at least two species) of the number of bird species listed in the annexes of the Birds Directive, and for which scientific data will be updated in the selected sites; A reduction by at least 40%, of the threats or damage (accidental or otherwise) to species in Annex I of the Birds Directive or their habitats, thanks to the GLC surveillance; A database containing the information and data collected at the selected sites; Local stakeholder participation in events relating to the Natura 2000 network in the Lombardy region; Good cooperation achieved between the GLCs and the majority of the managing authorities of the selected Natura 2000 sites; and Some 70% of the relevant managing authorities will receive, by the end of the project, data on the monitoring of the bird species of Community interest monitored by the GLCs.