How can we better protect nature while ensuring the sustainable development of local communities? The answer lies in the new Joint Action Plan for the Management of Natura 2000 Areas, developed within the framework of the GRENNAT project. The document marks an important step towards stronger cooperation between Slovenia and Italy in safeguarding their shared natural heritage.
The cross-border area stretching from the Alps and the Karst region to the Soča/Isonzo Valley and the Northern Adriatic is among the most biodiverse regions in Europe. It hosts numerous Natura 2000 sites that protect valuable habitats as well as plant and animal species. The Action Plan highlights that their long-term conservation requires coordinated cooperation among local communities, expert institutions and site managers on both sides of the border.
Among the key challenges identified are climate change, wildfires, the disappearance of wetlands, landscape overgrowth, water resource management, and balancing nature conservation with agriculture and tourism. Particular emphasis is placed on finding solutions that benefit both nature and local communities.
In preparing the Plan, project partners reviewed good practices from Slovenia, Italy and elsewhere in Europe, while also exploring opportunities for stronger cross-border management of protected areas. Key recommendations include greater involvement of local residents, enhanced environmental education, and the development of joint initiatives that support biodiversity conservation and sustainable regional development.
The Action Plan therefore provides a shared vision for the future, in which natural assets are not seen as obstacles to development but as one of its greatest strengths. Through closer cooperation, knowledge sharing and coordinated action, the cross-border area can become a model of successful nature conservation and a high-quality living environment for future generations.
