REC, as a partner organization, participates in the implementation of the project “LIFE24-NAT-DE-LIFE DinPin Bear – Towards Population-Level Conservation of Dinaric-Pindos Brown Bears”, which is implemented under the EU LIFE Programme and co-funded by the European Union.
The LIFE DinPin Bear project aims to secure the long-term conservation of the Dinaric-Pindos brown bear population by promoting a coordinated, science-based and transnational approach to conservation. Bringing together partners from nine countries, the project addresses the key challenges affecting one of Europe’s most important brown bear populations, including habitat fragmentation, human-bear conflicts, inconsistent management practices and the need for stronger international cooperation. Through scientific research, practical conservation actions, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and effective communication, LIFE DinPin Bear will establish the foundations for coordinated population-level management that benefit both biodiversity and local communities. By combining innovation with proven conservation practices, the project seeks to ensure that brown bears continue to thrive across the Dinaric-Pindos region for generations to come.
The project is implemented in nine countries, three of which are members of the European Union: Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.
LIFE DinPin Bear brings together a multidisciplinary partnership of 21 organizations, including universities and research institutions, national and local authorities, and environmental NGOs.
Overall Objective of the project- The LIFE DinPin Bear project (LIFE24-NAT-DE-LIFE DinPin Bear/101214048) aims to implement a comprehensive conservation strategy for the brown bear population and to ensure its long-term conservation across the Dinaric-Pindos region by promoting a coordinated, science-based and transboundary approach to the protection and conservation of the species.
The project is built around five main pillars:
- Reducing habitat fragmentation and reversing the decline of bear populations
- Reducing human–bear conflicts and promoting practical coexistence solutions for local communities
- Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for monitoring and managing bear populations
- Enhancing and harmonizing transnational cooperation in management
- Building long-term support among key stakeholder groups to ensure the long-term conservation of the species
Project activities:
The activities are divided into six work packages and include:
WP1 – Project Management
WP2 – Setting the Basis for Conserving Genetic and Geographic Connectivity
WP3 – Decrease of Human-Bear Conflicts and Promotion of Coexistence
WP4 – Aligning Transnational Management through Transfer of Knowledge and Capacity Building
WP5 – Stakeholder Engagement
WP6 – Communication and Public Awareness Raising
WP7 – Sustainability, Replication & Exploitation
WP8 – Impact Monitoring & Evaluation
Project results:
Through scientific research, practical conservation actions, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and effective communication, LIFE DinPin Bear will establish the foundations for coordinated population-level management that benefit both biodiversity and local communities. By combining innovation with proven conservation practices, the project seeks to ensure that brown bears continue to thrive across the Dinaric-Pindos region for generations to come.
Project duration: 60 months (January 2026 – June 2031)
Overall project value: 9.426.977,15 EUR
Project value REC: 643.415 EUR
Coordinator: EURONATUR (Germany)
Partners:
- Albania: National agency of protected areas and Association for protection and preservation of natural environment – PPNEA
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Resource Environmental Center – REC, Federal ministry of Environment and Tourism, Center for Environment Banja Luka i Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic of Srpska
- Montenegro: Environmental Protection Agency and Center for protection and research of birds
- Greece: Callisto – Environmental organization for wildlife and nature and NECCA – Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency
- Croatia: Ministry of agriculture and Faculty of Veterinary Medicina University of Zagreb
- Kosovo: Kosovo Environment Protection Agency and ERA- Environmentally responsible action group
- North Macedonia: Ministry of environment and physical planning and Macedonian ecological society – MES
- Slovenia: Slovenia forest service and Divjalabs d.o.o.
- Serbia: Institute for nature conservation of Serbia and i Faculty of biology University of Belgrade
Source of funding / Donor: European Union (LIFE PROGRAM)
