IV Conference of the Parks Dinarides successfully held in Montenegro | Parks Dinarides

/2018

IV Conference of the Parks Dinarides successfully held in Montenegro
10/11/2018

IV International Conference of the Parks Dinarides was organized by Parks Dinarides – network of Protected areas of Dinarides in period between 6th and 9th November in Budva, Montenegro.

The conference brought together over 150 participants from eight countries in the region. Furthermore, they exchanged experiences on strengthening the cooperation between protected areas and local communities, within three working days through discussions, presentations and workshops with leading experts from the region, which is one of the cornerstones of good management of natural resources.

Drawing on the importance of cooperation, the participants agreed that the Parks Dinarides will remain dedicated to the essential involvement of local communities representatives in planning and management of protected areas, in order to increase economic, social and cultural benefits.

During the conference four new members were admitted to the network: JP Morsko dobro - Tivat Salt Pans and Orjen Nature Park from Montenegro, Tivoli, Rožnik and Šišenski hrib from Slovenia and Javna Ustanova Zeleni Prsten from Croatia. With the arrival of new members, Parks Dinarides - network of protected areas of Dinarides, now gathers 92 protected areas from eight countries in the region.

In addition to the extension of network with new members, General Assembly elected new members of the Management Board, director of JPNPCG Elvira Klica, as the representative of Montenegro and the director of NP Mavrovo, Samir Ajdin from Macedonia.

Conclusions of the Conference

In addition to the new members in the Network, the conference brought important conclusions focused on the strategic potentials for development of the Network:

• Parks Dinarides in cooperation with WWF, will continue to develop the Index of interaction of local communities. During 2019, new cycle of Index determination for interested protected areas will be organized.
• The Grant Program for Protected Areas has proven to be an effective mechanism for improving communication and cooperation between protected areas and the local population. Parks Dinarides will make efforts to establish this Program as a permanent mechanism.
• The platform www.natureforpeople.com will be useful for Parks Dinarides members to share information and knowledge about solutions for good governance of protected areas in the region.
• Participants of the meeting reaffirmed the establishment of the Regional Biodiversity Working Group (Biodiversity Task Force-BD TF). It is also recommended that this body, when developing a communication strategy, include adequate mechanisms for including protected areas and civil society organizations in decision-making processes.
• EU funds represent an important source of financing common ideas of protected areas and partners in the Dinaric Arc countries. Parks Dinarides will help to link protected areas and develop common project ideas.
• Parks Dinarides will continue to work on the development of a joint Strategic Plan for the period 2019-2021.
• Parks Dinarides Assembly adopted the Activity Report of the Parks Dinarides for 2018 and the Annual Plan for 2019.

Conference of Parks Dinarides was concluded with the field visit to the Public Institution Morsko Dobro - Tivat Salina, protected since 2008 as a Special Nature Reserve, and since 2013 it has been included in the list of wetlands of international importance.