Nature conservation to become a measurable part of development projects in Somogy County
Future development projects in Somogy County, Hungary, could be planned and evaluated using new criteria. Following the statutory review of the county’s Territorial Development Programme 2021–2027 this summer, greater emphasis will be placed on nature conservation and sustainable finance alongside economic and social objectives.
The changes also support the objectives of the international NATUREFIN – Sustainable Finance for Nature project. Corvinus University of Budapest is the lead partner of this Interreg Europe initiative and contributed expert recommendations to the programme’s revision. One of the key changes is the increased consideration of environmental risks specific to different parts of the county.
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Around Lake Balaton, particular attention will be paid to pressures from tourism, water quality and fluctuations in water levels, as well as the vulnerability of shoreline ecosystems.
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In the agricultural areas of Inner Somogy, key challenges include soil degradation, water scarcity and the environmental impacts of monoculture farming.
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In forested areas, greater attention will be given to the impacts of forest management and climate change.
The programme introduces new indicators to monitor how development projects affect biodiversity. For example, the condition of Natura 2000 sites and other protected habitats would be assessed every two years, while changes in forest cover would be monitored annually.
A separate indicator would track the proportion of investments that result in measurable ecological improvements. This would make it possible to assess the success of development projects based on changes in the condition of the natural environment, alongside their economic outcomes.
The Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle will also play a more prominent role in development planning. The aim is to ensure that decision-makers consider risks to habitats, water resources and other natural resources from the earliest stages of investment planning.
The revised Territorial Development Programme was approved by the Somogy County Assembly on 6 July 2026. The next step will be the revision of the county’s Integrated Territorial Programme, which is expected to be adopted by the end of 2026.
In the longer term, these changes could help ensure that regional development projects contribute to preserving natural assets while supporting economic growth.
The full Territorial Development Programme is available on the Somogy County Government’s website.