RP Piemonte ERDF 2021-2027 (Specific Objective 2.7 Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity, green infrastructure and reducing pollution) is pursued through 2 actions: Action II.2vii.1, dedicated to the Conservation and recovery of natural heritage and biodiversity and Action II.2vii.2 dedicated to the development and use of green infrastructures.
Action II.2vii.1 supports the implementation of interventions envisaged in the regional PAF and in the Natura 2000 network plan. It also supports Pilot measures to reduce ecosystem fragmentation and for the restoration or creation of ecological corridors.
Action II.2vii.2 supports interventions for the protection and preservation of natural capital. It is envisaged to intervene in areas with high environmental and biological importance, by financing green infrastructures, implementing recovery, requalification and restoration interventions, enhancing the sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage.
The activities related to the identification and characterization of OGF are very important for the conservation of biodiversity as well as for the study of forest systems dynamics and the management of forest genetic resources. These forests have a role as sentinel environments for climate change effects (as they are not directly affected by human intervention) and biodiversity hot spots. They are valuable areas and call for responsible use. They can become a model for improving forest management.

The Decree-Law No. 169/2001 recognize the ecological and economic importance of cork and holm oak species, establishing measures to protect cork oaks and holm oaks. It does not allow cutting or uprooting without legal authorization, and prohibits their conversion to other species, as well as changes in land use even if the stand suffered from fires or mortality events, illegal uprooting, etc. This law prevails over territorial management regulations. It also presents specific rules on management for economic exploitation, such as pruning and stripping, exploitation in coppice, etc., and prohibits any operation that mutilates or damages specimens of cork oaks or holm oaks, as well as any actions that lead to their perishing or obvious depreciation. For example, Article 16 (Restrictions on management practices) indicates that in stands of cork oak or holm oak, it is not permitted deep soil mobilization affecting the trees' root system or those causing destruction of natural regeneration; as well as Interventions that displace or remove the surface layer of soil. Given the national scope of this legislation, it encompasses the entire habitat of these species and prevails over territorial management regulations. It has special relevance on Alentejo region, where most of these woodlands are found.

The objectives of the Methodological Guidelines for the Management of Natural Heritage Objects are to determine the same principles for state and municipality protected natural heritage objects, including management and protection, considering national legislation for land use. The current policy instrument was issued by the director of State Service for Protected Territories in 2020 and replaced a document that was valid since 2002. Currently, the selected policy document is descriptive, very general, and lacks a systematic view on the problems of single tree management in cultural and forest landscapes. It consists of general and specific principles. The general principles require prior any management situation analysis, that should cover current state description, valuable features, identified current and potential threats, ownership tenures, potential social values and how to realise it. The general principles also ask for preservation or recreation of naturalness, minimal interventions and negative effects of infrastructure avoidance. The specific principles for the Monumental tree management require sound evaluation of tree physical condition and allow any kind of management only when evident in the situation worsen. Management measures of the Monumental trees are very general and classified with very short characterization as work professionality, tree stability, damage elimination, close vicinity management, protection and prevention, intensive care, etc.

The Strategy on adaptation to climate change in the Czech Republic 2021-2030 is the main conceptual document of the Ministry of Environment. It aims at achieving a reduction of the vulnerability of natural systems and their higher resilience to climate change impacts without compromising the quality of the environment and the socio-economic potential. It summarizes adaptation measures with specific objectives for forest management, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services (Annex 4). It requires stabilization of carbon stock in forest ecosystems, protection, restoration and improvements of natural and close-natural areas, capacity of ecosystems to provide key species, connectivity and permeability of the landscape and status of populations of rare and endangered species (adaptation measure for biodiversity and ecosystem services).
Current requirements, however, appear to be too general for effective OGF delimitation and MVT identification within the area of state managed forests, a missing prerequisite that undermines their protection. The Strategy does not include any specific principles nor indicators for OGF and MVT so that many potentially suitable areas and trees are often lost due to regular forest management before achievement of effective protection. As MVT become senescent, some specific management measures will be necessary, especially in the places frequented by people. However, no recommendations for tree measures are mentioned in the Strategy.

The Law 57/2020 aims at protecting forests as vital assets for climate, soil, biodiversity, water, and genetic resources, emphasizing their role in sustainable development, environmental quality, and social well-being. It regulates the forest sector to ensure the preservation, growth, and balanced use of forest resources while supporting agricultural, energy, tourism, and poverty reduction efforts. The Law also targets improving forest management, guaranteeing financial stability, and securing quality forest services such as protection and regeneration.

It applies across all of Albania, covering forests, protected areas, wild fauna, and certain plants, regardless of ownership. It is partially aligned with EU environmental standards and is structured into eight chapters, including provisions on administration, benefits, forest treatment, and control measures. Key aspects include responsibilities for managing and protecting forests, penalties for damage, and the regulation of related services. Article 15-2c states that the NFA (PP08) is responsible for drafting unified norms, standards, and best practices in the field of forests.

Management measures for MT and OGF are currently lacking and best practices to guarantee their protection and prevention of damage are not implemented. Therefore, guidelines that include technical and legal aspects for the declaration, protection and sustainable management of MT and OGF are urgently needed.

Concept of Development of City Forests in Bratislava: sets the objectives of forest management on land owned by Bratislava city. Adopted in 2018 by the City Council of Bratislava, it was a milestone, which shifted the main objective of forest management from timber logging to nature conservation and preserving valuable areas for recreation.
This strategic document was a result of a large and long-term public campaign, where employees of BROZ played a key role. It started with a petition and initiative of local activists and subsequently, based on order of City Council, a participative process was launched, which has formed the main principles and objectives of the policy. Although the policy has declared large zones of nature-friendly forest management, an exact guideline, which would define the role of OGF and MVT, and steps for their identification and conservation is still missing.
Therefore, the main aim of the project is to prepare a guideline, which will be used by employees of City Forests of Bratislava and train their capacities to effectively use it. It will also include the values of socio-economic benefits and ecosystem services that OGF provide, with carbon sequestration being one of the priorities, due to climate-related commitments of Bratislava City.
We will disseminate the steps for effective conservation of OGF and MVT, including the guidelines to other municipalities in Slovakia, which manage even larger areas of valuable forests than Bratislava.