Callisto is a key partner in the LIFE DinPin Bear project, which focuses on establishing the legal, management, and socio-economic conditions necessary to ensure the long-term conservation of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear (Ursus arctos) population.

The LIFE DinPin Bear project (LIFE24-NAT-DE-LIFE DinPin Bear/101214048) aims to implement a comprehensive population-level conservation strategy for brown bears across the entire Dinaric–Pindos mountain range.

The project is being implemented across nine countries, three of which are European Union Member States: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina/Republika Srpska), Croatia, Greece, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia.

LIFE DinPin Bear brings together a multidisciplinary partnership of 20 organisations, including universities and research institutions, national and local authorities, and environmental NGOs.

The Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population spans all nine project countries. With an estimated 4,000 individuals, it is the bear population in Europe that extends across the greatest number of countries, making its conservation particularly challenging while highlighting the need for coordinated international action.

The three EU Member States involved—Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece—have already implemented effective management practices that have contributed to the recovery of brown bear populations. However, the long-term viability of these populations remains uncertain, as human–bear conflicts continue to be a major challenge and the species’ habitats remain under increasing pressure.

In the non-EU countries, the conservation status of brown bears is less well understood. In many cases, comprehensive Brown Bear Management Plans are either lacking or, where they exist, are not effectively implemented. These challenges are further compounded by the absence of coordinated, population-level management and cross-border cooperation.

The LIFE DinPin Bear project addresses these challenges by creating the legal, management, and socio-economic framework required to secure the long-term conservation of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population.

1) Investigating and reducing habitat fragmentation to prevent the decline and loss of brown bear populations.

2) Effectively managing human–bear conflicts and providing tools that support coexistence with local communities.

3) Strengthening the legal and procedural framework for monitoring and managing brown bear populations.

4) Improving and harmonising transboundary cooperation in brown bear management.

5) Securing the support of key stakeholder groups for the long-term conservation of the species.

Each participating country or political entity will be represented in the project by one governmental and one non-governmental organisation

Project partners:

• EuroNatur – Germany,
• DivjaLabs – Slovenia,
• Slovenian Forest Service (SFS) – Slovenia,
• University of Zagreb – Croatia,
• Ministry of Agriculture – Croatia,
• Center for Environment (CZZS) – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska
• Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage -Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska
• Resource Environmental Center (REC) – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
• Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
• Institute of Nature Conservation of Serbia (INCS) – Serbia,
• Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade – Serbia,
• Center for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP)- Montenegro,
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Montenegro,
• Environmentally Responsible Action Group (ERA) – Kosovo*,
• Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure – Kosovo*,
• Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) – Albania,
• National Agency for Protected Areas (NAPA) – Albania,
• Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) – North Macedonia,
• Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning – North Macedonia,
• Callisto NGO – Greece,
• Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) – Greece.

In several of the participating countries, brown bear conservation and management strategies remain underdeveloped, while their legal frameworks are not yet aligned with European Union legislation and relevant international standards. Drawing on its extensive experience in brown bear conservation and management, Callisto will contribute by transferring best practices and technical expertise to countries with more limited experience in the field.

At the same time, Callisto will implement actions related to the monitoring of brown bear populations and habitats, conflict management, public awareness and engagement, and the implementation of national regulatory measures for the species in Greece.

Finally, Callisto will play a central role in the coordination of the project, leading the scientific coordination, communication and public awareness activities, citizen engagement actions, and transboundary cooperation initiatives.

The project officially started in January 2026 and will run until June 2031. Its total budget amounts to €9,426,977.15 and is co-funded by the European Union under the LIFE Programme (75%), while the remaining 25% is covered by the partners’ own contributions.

Budget