LIFE BaĦAR for N2K (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845) aims to extend existing marine Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and identify new SCIs for inclusion within the Natura 2000 network. The Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas throughout the EU and it is considered the largest coherent group of protected areas in the world. The Natura 2000 network was established in 1992 under the Habitats Directive, with the long term aim of protecting Europe’s most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats.

The project budget is of €2.6 million, 50% of which is co-financed by the EU LIFE funding programme. The project commenced in October 2013 and will run until June 2018.