Evaluating operational projects approved through Cohesion Funds on the National Forest Parks of Greece

Regional development is a valuable technique, strengthening the regional economy so as to create opportunities for new business activities and the exchange of knowledge and experience in addition to contributing to the improvement of human wellbeing. The EU is one of the most forest-rich regions; in fact, European forests are multifunctional and the sustainable management of natural resources should be established. National Forest Parks (NFP) represent protected areas with important forest diversity that play a critical role, both in reversing biodiversity loss and contributing to socio-economic development. The Cohesion Fund (CF) is one out of the five available European Structural and Investment Funds. The EU has implemented the CF during the 2014-2020 period on the Natura 2000 regions. The CF supports funding in transport and environmental projects in countries where the gross national income (GNI) per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU average; in which fund Greece is included. To date in Greece, nine operational projects have been approved through the Cohesion Fund and concern six NFPs which are supervised by Management Bodies. Critical Assessment of the projects and policy analysis for their Management Bodies has been implemented. These findings demonstrate the existence of identical sustainability goals; the operational projects include four work packages aimed at more effective protection and conservation of biodiversity. The Cohesion Fund is a fundamental financing tool that may support the administration not only of these NFPs but also the 10 NFPs in Greece.