AGRECO was established in 1992 as a European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) in order to pool the material and human resources of the consulting companies AGRER (Belgium) and AGRICONSULTING (Italy) for the preparation and implementation of large-scale studies and projects in the field of biodiversity conservation and natural resources management.

Fifteen years later, this objective is reached, many of the environmental projects managed by AGRECO being recognized by various donors as successfully implemented.

In the framework of its activities the company has established close links with research institutes in Europe as well as in the beneficiary countries, thereby enhancing co-ordination between research objectives and management needs in conservation and environment management.

AGRECO’s track record and those of its member companies cover Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Particular experience has been gained in the co-ordination and management of regional projects, with actions at the local (protected area, communities,...), the national (forestry and environmental administrations) and the regional level (between the administrations, institutions and protected areas of the countries concerned). The company is therefore especially familiar with issues as mediation, exchange of experience and information, cross-border cooperation and coordination. One of AGRECO’s field of specialisation is biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of environment.

In these fields the company offers the following services:

Diagnosis and Monitoring	Implementation
Planning	Institutional Development

 

One of AGRECO’s major focal areas and fields of specialisation is biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of environment. This includes in particular environment integration in development co-operation with various projects implemented and dealing with sustainable development issues, environmental impact assessment, integrated coastal zone management, etc.

 

In these fields the company offers the following services :

 

DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING:

- assessment of biodiversity of specific habitats (inventories, surveys,...);

- ecosystem analysis;

- socio-economic surveys;

- études d’impact environnemental et social;

- environmental and social Impact Assessment;

- strategic Environmental Assessment;

- development and management of environmental monitoring systems;

- biodiversity database development and management;

- adaptation of GIS systems to management needs in the field.

 

PLANNING:

- preparation of sector strategy (plastic waste management strategy) or

- preparation of national environmental strategy

- preparation of protected area management plans.

 

IMPLEMENTATION:

- set-up and management of protected areas;

- applied research into sustainable natural resources use (sustainable forest management, non-traditional forest products development, sustainable hunting management);

- ecotourism development;

- community wildlife management;

- land-use management;

- integrated coastal zone management.

 

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT :

- environmental legislation review;

- institutional support to protected area planning and management structures;

- biodiversity conservation policy advice;

- training (biodiversity assessment, surveillance, planning, environmental monitoring, database management);

- awareness building and information dissemination;

- building partnerships and establishing networks between protected areas, research and training institutes, environmental NGOs.