Parks Dinarides Support Dry-Stone Wall Restoration for Three Agricultural Holdings

Parks Dinarides – Network of Protected Areas of Dinarides is one of four applicants selected under the Eco-Fund’s Public Call for the restoration of traditional stone terraces – dry-stone walls. Through the approved project, Parks Dinarides will provide support for the restoration of dry-stone walls for three final beneficiaries – agricultural holdings located in the Municipality of Herceg Novi.

Contracts with the selected applicants were signed on 21 August at the premises of the Eco-Fund. The programme is being implemented through cooperation between the Eco-Fund and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development (MERS), with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the GEF-7 project “Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral Policies and Practices and Strengthening Key Biodiversity Areas in Montenegro.”

A total of EUR 151,904 has been allocated for the implementation of the programme, which will support 24 final beneficiaries – agricultural producers and rural household holders registered in the Register of Agricultural Holdings. The support covers 100% of the costs, with no financial contribution required from the beneficiaries. In total, 1,285 m² of dry-stone walls are planned to be restored using traditional materials and construction techniques.

Support for Agricultural Holdings in the Herceg Novi Area

The initiative for Parks Dinarides to participate in this public call came from Orjen Nature Park, a member of the Parks Dinarides network, with the aim of using available support programmes to make a concrete contribution to the preservation of the traditional landscape and to support local agricultural holdings.

Through the Parks Dinarides project, three final beneficiaries from the Municipality of Herceg Novi will receive support for the restoration of existing dry-stone walls on their agricultural holdings.

Dry-stone walls are an important feature of the traditional rural landscape, while also performing significant ecological and practical functions. Their preservation helps prevent erosion and the loss of fertile soil, contributes to terrain stability, and supports habitats for numerous plant and animal species. At the same time, the traditional technique of dry-stone wall construction forms part of the cultural heritage and knowledge of local communities, which is important to preserve and pass on to future generations.

In addition to the restoration works themselves, the project will also include an educational component. Final beneficiaries will receive training on the importance of dry-stone walls for biodiversity, as well as expert guidance and practical training in traditional techniques for their construction and restoration. In this way, the objective is not only to restore existing structures, but also to enable beneficiaries to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through the project to their future maintenance.

For Parks Dinarides, this initiative also demonstrates the role that protected areas can play in supporting local communities. The role of protected areas extends beyond the conservation of natural values to initiating and supporting activities that contribute to the sustainability of agricultural holdings, the preservation of traditional practices, and the creation of tangible benefits for the people who live and work in these areas.