19/05/2022 (Agence Europe) – European Commissioner for Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius announced the six winners of the 2022 Natura 2000 Awards at a ceremony on the evening of 18 May. The winners are rewarded for excellence in management projects in this pan-European network of protected natural areas covering more than 18% of the EU’s territory and around 9% of its marine areas. Projects were awarded in the following categories and countries: - Greece: Land Conservation Award; - Bulgaria: Best Communication Campaign Award; - Spain: Socio-Economic Benefits Award; - Portugal: Marine Conservation Award; - Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland: Cross-Border Cooperation and Networking Award through a smartphone application. The Natura 2000 network celebrated its 30th anniversary this year (see EUROPE 12900/28). (AN)