Background Illegal killing of wild birds is a significant threat affecting the viability of populations. Hunting in the EU is regulated according to the provisions of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). The term ‘illegal killing of wild birds’ refers to any form of deliberate action, such as catching, trapping, injuring, removing or persecution of birds and their eggs, outside the legal regulations of the aforementioned law. The urgent issues to be addressed are illegal killing of wild birds outside the legal hunting season, namely during the return of migratory birds to breeding grounds; illegal killing or capturing of wild birds using indiscriminate methods of trapping; illegal killing of species that must not be hunted. Awareness and the capacity of law enforcement agencies must be increased in order to mitigate such problems. Objectives The overall objective of the 'Safe Haven for Wild Birds' project is to reduce illegal killing of protected wild birds in three EU Mediterranean countries: Italy, Greece and Spain. The specific objectives are: To raise awareness in key stakeholder groups (local communities, local authorities, hunters and the general public) about the migratory flyways of the species affected by illegal activities and the effects of illegal bird killing on local and European biodiversity; To change socio-cultural attitudes towards illegal killing in the younger generation; and To improve law enforcement, through increased awareness and better coordination among law enforcement authorities. Expected results The main quantifiable expected results are: The project will conduct surveys at the beginning and at the end of the project on the awareness level of target groups and their acceptance of bird crime; Increased capacity and awareness amongst local authorities and law enforcement agencies; and A media campaign in the three target Member States that will reach more than 3 million people in Italy, 2 million people in Spain and 1 million people in Greece. Media to be used include the Internet, radio, TV, magazines, newspapers and email campaigns.