Workshop Announcement: Participatory Management of Protected Areas in Montenegro

Parks Dinarides – Network of Protected Areas of the Dinarides is organizing a two-day workshop dedicated to participatory management of protected areas, which will take place on April 24th and 25th, 2025, at the Komovi Hotel, Municipality of Andrijevica.

The goal of the workshop is to enhance knowledge on participatory management of protected areas, with a particular focus on the role and benefits of establishing Socio-Economic Forums, as well as experiences gained from the work of these bodies so far.

April marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the first Socio-Economic Forums in Montenegro, making this workshop an excellent opportunity to assess what has been done and provide recommendations for improving the work of these bodies both in national parks and nature parks.
The workshop will also offer an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between managers of protected areas, experts, institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities.

Through this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:
✔ Gain deeper insight into Socio-Economic Forums as a model of participatory management;
✔ Discuss the current state and challenges in the functioning of these bodies in Montenegro;
✔ Learn from concrete examples from the region, including experiences from Croatia and Serbia;
✔ Contribute through discussion and exchange of ideas to defining recommendations for improving cooperation and the participation of local communities in nature protection and sustainable development.

The workshop is organized within the framework of the project: “Empowering Local Communities for Sustainable Management of Protected Areas,” supported by the Podržani=Osnaženi program, implemented by the Fund for Active Citizenship in partnership with the Foundation for Local Community Development “Slagalica” from Croatia. The program is financed by the European Union, with co-financing from the Ministry of Public Administration.