Nationally designated areas (NatDA)

This page contains reference material and links for the reporting of the Nationally designated areas inventory. The dataset was formerly known as CDDA but the acronym was changed to the more accurate NatDA.

The next data call will go out from the EIONET Expert Group Biodiversity and ecosystems' Teams channel (requires login) and will also be sent by e-mail to Lead reporters by 15/01/2026.

The reporting takes place on Reportnet 3 platform. Permissions are assigned by the Lead reporter. Please contact your Lead reporter or your National Data Flow Coordinator if you require to be assigned with a reporter role. The National Data Flow Coordinator appoints the Lead reporter.

If you need support with the reporting, please contact natda.helpdesk@eionet.europa.eu

Webinar on the revision of the format and strict protection

Presentation and recording from the 12 June 2025 webinar on the revision of the NatDA reporting and on strict protection.

Presentation - revision of the format

Recording - revision of the format

Dataflow specific instructions

Reporting obligation
Data dictionary for 2026 reporting is still being updated. The schema for the 2026 reporting is available in Reportnet 3 platform.
Reporting on Reportnet 3 platform version 1.1, NEW in 2026 technical instructions for login, upload and quality checking your nationally designated areas inventory data on the platform. We highly recommend that you use Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
NatDA spatial schema shapefile mapping, NEW in 2026 the table defines the shapefile structure and outlines the attributes required by the NatDA type 1 schema. It also maps the correspondence to elements coming from INSPIRE Protected Sites and Area Management specifications. You may reuse your country's INSPIRE PS or AM gml files for the reporting of type 1 data or you may create a shapefile from the INSPIRE data.
The list of automatic QC test performed on your submission is available on Reportnet 3 platform, from the yellow Dataflow help icon, tab Dataset schemas. NOTE: accepted coordinate reference systems on Reportnet 3 platform are EPSG3035:ETRS89/ETRS-LAEA, EPSG4258:ETRS89 and EPSG4326:WGS84.
Automatic QC reports and feedback from ETC/DI on your previous delivery is available in Reportnet 3 platform under the Technical feedback button of your previous delivery. In addition, ETC/DI prepared a [to be updated] dashboard with more information on your recent submission.

Site code allocation service

The cddaId continues to be the thematic identifier of the NatDA records. The cddaId is identical to the site code id of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA_ID). To ensure correspondence between the cddaId of NatDA and the WDPA_ID, the Eionet agreed to add these ids to their sites and EEA distributes site code ids maintained by the WDPA via the Site code allocation service. NFPs and users with "CDDA reporter" role can log in to the Site code allocation service.