Protected areas for nature and people II


Project: Protected areas for nature and people II
Donor: SIDA
Duration: 2019. – 2022.
Total budget: 255.000 EUR

The countries of the Western Balkans are well known for their exceptional biodiversity, as well as for their large and still preserved ecosystems, many of which are of European or global importance for conservation.

Protected areas are one of the best ways to preserve these natural values, both for humans and for nature. Unfortunately, these values ​​are often not recognized by the public, nor is the role of protected areas. Their natural resources are being unsustainably exploited and are often seen as obstacles to economic development. Local communities are often excluded from the benefits provided by protected areas and from decisions related to their management.

Recognizing the values ​​of protected areas, but also threats to their preservation, Parks Dinarides in cooperation with WWF Adria and other partners are implementing the project “Protected Areas for Nature and People II” (PA4NP II), with a vision of biodiversity conservation in the Western Balkans and ensuring well-being for all present and future generations.

“Protected areas for nature and people II” is a regional project implemented from 2019 to 2022 in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Kosovo, and is a continuation of the project of the same name (2016-2019). PA4NP II is guided by a vision to preserve biodiversity in the Western Balkans and ensure prosperity for all present and future generations.

Working at the regional, national and local levels, PA4NP II aims to:

  • Improve national policies (strategies, laws, plans), for managing protected areas and preserving biodiversity;
  • Raise awareness of biodiversity and the importance of protected areas, developing environmental education programs in protected areas and improving their cooperation with local schools;
  • Strength the responsibility of decision-makers for their own actions and inactions related to nature; educating and informing the community about public participation mechanisms and empowering the public to take on the role of supervisor;
  • Promote a fair distribution of the benefits offered by protected areas;
  • Increase community participation in protected area management and promote active citizenship.

 

The main activities include:

  • development and promotion of educational programs and cooperation between protected areas and schools;
  • exchange of knowledge and best practices through existing and new networks;
  • supporting civil society organizations and initiatives;
  • communicating and raising awareness of the key messages of the project, including giving examples of bad practices;
  • advocating for a change in environmental policies;
  • supporting and participating in Chapter 27 platforms i
  • strengthening the capacity of organizations and individuals.

Protected areas in the Western Balkans

Although they share a similar framework in terms of biodiversity, nature conservation challenges and EU integration orientation, the percentage of protected areas varies among the Western Balkan countries, and in some cases protected areas are protected only on paper.

  • Albania: 17.56% of the territory
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2.61% of the territory
  • Kosovo: 11.56% of the territory
  • Northern Macedonia: 10.8% of the territory
  • Montenegro: 13.6% of the territory
  • Serbia: 7.66% of the territory

PA4NP II promotes the need to increase the number of protected areas and improve the management of existing ones.

The project “Protected areas for nature and people” is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

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