Semois Valley National Park GOVERNANCE
The Semois Valley National Park was created in a participatory manner and is managed and supervised by a series of partners. The governance model for the Semois Valley National Park is explained below.
The Semois Valley National Park FOUNDATION
Like all organisations, the Semois Valley National Park has had to choose its legal status. The choice of partners fell to a distributive public interest foundation: the Semois Valley National Park Foundation
Why a public interest foundation?
This foundation provides the opportunity to bring together the National Park's multiple partners while allowing clear and simplified management of the project and funds. It also guarantees the soundness and durability of the partnership.
The Semois Valley National Park Foundation altruistically aims to showcase, protect and develop the distinctive nature and biodiversity of the Semois Valley.
The Foundation's Board of Directors
The Semois Valley National Park Foundation’s Board of Directors meets twice a year. It has several roles:
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ensuring compliance with the regional strategy;
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controlling and supervising the initiatives of the Executive Committee;
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overseeing the allocation and monitoring of financial resources among operators;
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validating the scientific policy after presentation and ratification by the Regional Coalition.
bringing together representatives of the National Park’s various partners:
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one representative per municipality or public body belonging to a region included within the National Park perimeter;
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the person in charge of the day-to-day management and representative of Gaume Nature Park;
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the person in charge of the day-to-day management and representative of the Southern Ardennes Nature Park;
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a representative of the private landowners with more than 500 hectares within the National Park;
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two representatives of the Department of Nature and Forests (DNF);
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a representative of the Regional Coalition's nature sector;
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a representative of the Regional Coalition's tourism sector;
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a representative of the Regional Coalition's economic sector;
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a representative of an association representing small private owners;
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a representative of an international organisation whose aim is to protect nature (flora and fauna), biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
The chairmen of the Scientific Committeeand the citizens’ committeeattend the meetings of the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
The Semois Valley National Park REGIONAL COALITION
Working directly with the Foundation, the Semois Valley National Park Regional Coalition is made up of a balanced and representative group of partners from the various social, environmental, economic and cultural spheres in the region, which are concerned with the Foundation's activities.
It is responsible for:
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approving the ethical and financial reports;
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appointing the sector representatives on the Foundation's Board of Directors;
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supporting the operational team in implementing initiatives, through working groups;
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ratifying the scientific policy.
Find out here about the representatives of the 50 members of the Semois Valley National Park Regional Coalition.
The EXECUTIVE Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the directors of the Southern Ardennes and Gaume Nature Parks. It is responsible for:
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the day-to-day management and smooth running of the National Park;
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executing and ensuring the execution of the Board of Directors’ decisions;
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the administrative and financial management of the National Park.
The SCIENTIFIC Committee
A permanent guest on the Board of Directors, this committee, made up of multidisciplinary scientists all recognised in their field, enables the Semois Valley National Park to position itself as a genuine laboratory region.
It is responsible for developing the foundation's scientific policy over the next 5, 10 and 20 years, based on a research and innovation programme. This is then validated by the Board of Directors after presentation and ratification by the Regional Coalition.
Based on the scientific policy defined, the Scientific Committee is responsible for advising the Board of Directors on the master and operational plans drawn up by the Regional Coalition. These opinions are binding on the Board of Directors, which can only distance itself from them by means of a reasoned decision.
The CITIZENS' Committee
The Semois Valley National Park Citizens' Committee is responsible for constructing proposals and submitting opinions on subjects carrying a variety of issues, controversies, that concern citizens.
It is made up of 24 citizens selected at random from the eight municipalities over which the National Park extends. This random selection is carried out in collaboration with the local authorities and in compliance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
The Citizens' Committee is renewed each year to deal with a specific issue, chosen by the population of the eight municipalities through a survey.
At the end of a series of participatory workshops, the Citizens' Committee formulates recommendations and a structured opinion on the issue, which is forwarded to the National Park authorities.
Find out more about the Semois Valley National Park’s Citizens' Committee in our article!
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