The first grant contract under the Interreg NEXT Programme Romania - Ukraine 2021-2027 has been signed

On 25 March 2025, the Managing Authority for the Interreg VI-A NEXT Programme Romania - Ukraine 2021-2027 signed the first grant contract for projects selected following the call for low value projects. This first call addresses the three priorities of the Programme, namely, cross-border environmental focus, cross-border social development, and border cooperation.

The BAT2LIFE project with a total budget of EUR 391,555.80, of which EUR 352,400.22 is the requested grant amount, is implemented by E-CONSULT Satu Mare Association, as lead partner, and the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies in Uzhorod, Ukraine and aims to ensure the sustainability of key issues in bat protection and to raise awareness of environmental issues in the local community.

Over a period of 18 months, the project aims to establish a collaborative strategy emphasising community involvement, sustainable protection plans and awareness-raising campaigns to ensure the long-term protection of these creatures and the preservation of the ecological balance.

The protection of bats raises concerns about protecting biodiversity, as the extinction of these species may irreversibly disturb the ecological balance. Although all bat species require attention at global level, European bat species are particularly vulnerable because of their specific rhythm of life (winter hibernation, sensitive periods in maternity colonies) and intense human activities (deforestation, construction, etc).

Joint Programme Secretariat
tel: 0040 749 268318,
Regional Office for Cross-border Co-operation Suceava for the Romania - Ukraine border
Bistriței Street 8A, Suceava, Romania, E-mail: info.ro-ua@brctsuceava.ro .