The last three years of implementation of the MAVA funded INCREAte project have led to the development of the INCREAte approach, its application manual and toolkit. The approach aims to improve the management of Mediterranean environmentally sensitive areas by integrating cultural aspects into nature conservation for improved conservation outcomes. Effectively, the INCREAte approach is a management standard that is structured on an adaptive set of principles and criteria, including step-by-step guidance and a full toolkit which aims to synthesise knowledge, advance understanding and enhance the capacity of the user.
Gradually reaching the finalization of the INCREAte approach, it was deemed necessary to revise it on the basis of comments provided by selected experts with significant experience in the field of nature conservation and management of natural resources. A first round of reviewing was done by the Tour du Valat in June 2017 whereas for this second round, the experts came from the Hellenic Ornithological Society, Nature Conservation Consultants, WWF Greece, the Management Body of the Messolonghi lagoon as well as two independent environmental scientists, acknowledged for their track record in the field.
INCREAte review workshop 
INCREAte review workshop
After reviewing the INCREAte application manual and toolkit based on an evaluation form sent by MedINA, on Wednesday 20th December a workshop was organized so that the comments could be discussed in plenary as well as identify opportunities for improvement of the approach and its development and dissemination. The workshop was very successful as it led to a productive discussion between the participants and allowed MedINA’s scientific secretariat to gain new insight on the product of their concerted work in the last two years. The next step of the process is the incorporation of a number of revisions agreed upon by the experts and the launching of the INCREAte Approach and its dedicated web platform in early 2018.