Background Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and its geographic isolation, proximity to Africa, and the geomorphological diversity of its mountains, plains, rivers, dunes, estuaries and islets, mean that its biodiversity is among the most varied in Europe. Sicily has 238 Natura 2000 sites, which are threatened by fire, grazing, erosion, logging, hunting and agriculture pressure, industrial activities, improper water management, urbanisation and uncontrolled human access. Consequently, an integrated regional strategy needs to be developed to improve the management of conservation actions and the implementation of buffering measures. Objectives The aim of this project is to prepare, on the basis of the approach of the Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs), concrete and operational measures for the Natura 2000 network. Specific objectives include: Putting in place a programme to restore sites, habitats and species to a favourable conservation status, and to ensure their long-term management, taking account of all potential sources of EU, national and regional funding. This will include the establishment of a list of priority actions to be carried out in the next decade; Improving the resilience of sites and their capacity to cope with environmental change by applying a range of practical measures within and around sites; Improving the quality and condition of the island’s Natura 2000 sites through management or restoration activities and the establishment of buffer zones; Increasing the participation of stakeholders, including private land owners and civil society organisations, in nature conservation (relating to agricultural, fisheries and forestry areas); Achieving nature conservation via an integrated approach to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, in line with European Commission objectives. Expected results: The project will provide: A realistic overview of the value of the Natura 2000 network in Sicily, from an environmental and a socio-economic perspective; Improved multi-sectoral management of the island’s Natura 2000 network; Increased mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change at regional level; Increased public awareness about the benefits of Natura 2000 and ecosystem services, as a result of the production of a strategic communication plan for the next decade; More green jobs opportunities.