TBBC

Callisto is a key partner in the Transboundary Brown Bear Conservation in the Southwestern Balkans (TBBC) project, an initiative that aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation for the conservation of brown bear populations and their habitats across the southwestern Balkans.

Launched in October 2024, the project brings together environmental organisations from Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia, coordinated by the German conservation organisation EuroNatur. The consortium includes Callisto (Greece), the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) and Eko-svest (North Macedonia), and the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA).

Project Objective

TBBC focuses on the conservation of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population, addressing both strategic and practical conservation needs across the mountainous border regions of Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia.

Key Objectives

• Cross-border Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration among institutional stakeholders to improve conservation outcomes.
• Habitat Connectivity: Enhancing ecological connectivity between bear populations and critical habitats.
• Monitoring & Research: Implementing coordinated transboundary monitoring of brown bear populations in key areas.
• Conflict Mitigation: Reducing human–bear conflicts through the establishment of Rapid Response Teams.
• Wildlife Crime Prevention: Combating illegal activities that threaten wildlife.
• Public Awareness: Strengthening public engagement and cooperation through targeted awareness campaigns.
• Environmental Education: Empowering future generations to protect wildlife and biodiversity.

Callisto’s Role

With more than twenty years of experience in brown bear conservation and management, Callisto contributes specialised expertise across all project activities, including habitat connectivity, human–bear conflict mitigation, public awareness, and wildlife crime prevention.

Building on the successful outcomes of previous conservation initiatives, Callisto helps ensure the long-term protection of the brown bear throughout this transboundary region.

Together, we envision a future in which brown bears—and wildlife more broadly—can coexist sustainably with human activities without being threatened.

Project Information

Project duration: July 2024 – June 2026 (24 months)