Partners

The National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA) is Albania’s central state institution responsible for the administration and management of protected areas throughout the country. Established in 2015, NAPA operates at national level and through regional protected area administrations. Its responsibilities include the conservation and management of protected areas, habitats and species of conservation interest, biodiversity data management, management planning, environmental education and public awareness, as well as supporting sustainable activities within protected areas. 

Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), established in 1991, is Albania’s first environmental NGO. It works nationwide to conserve biodiversity, protect threatened species and habitats, strengthen protected area management and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. Its work combines scientific research, policy advocacy, environmental education and community engagement, with extensive experience in the conservation of species including the Balkan lynx, brown bear, Dalmatian pelican, Egyptian vulture and Mediterranean monk seal. PPNEA is the BirdLife International Partner in Albania. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, PPNEA leads communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities in Albania. It also contributes to public awareness, knowledge exchange and conservation actions supporting the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population.

Resource Environmental Center Bosnia and Herzegovina (REC BiH) is an independent, non-profit civil society organisation working in environmental protection, nature conservation and sustainable development. Its activities combine policy and legislative support, field-based conservation, capacity building, public awareness and cooperation with local communities, public institutions, experts, civil society and international partners. Through its Nature Protection and Biodiversity Programme, REC BiH also supports biodiversity conservation, protected area management and the development of environmentally responsible approaches to agriculture and tourism. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, REC BiH implements activities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at improving brown bear conservation and management and strengthening cooperation with local communities and relevant institutions. Its role includes coordinating project activities in the Federation, supporting stakeholder engagement and cross-border cooperation, contributing knowledge of the institutional and legislative framework, raising awareness, and facilitating knowledge exchange among project partners.

Center for Environment is a non-profit, non-partisan civil society organisation based in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Established in 1999, it works to protect nature and improve quality of life through stronger environmental policies, public participation and sustainable natural resource management. Its work combines policy advocacy, field activities, legal and institutional support, public awareness and cooperation with local communities, experts, public institutions and civil society networks. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, Center for Environment works in Republika Srpska on issues related to brown bear management and conservation. Its contribution includes supporting improved management and human–bear coexistence, Bear Intervention Teams, research and preservation of habitat connectivity, and cooperation with institutions, experts and local communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is the Croatian government body responsible for agricultural policy, natural resource management and the harmonisation of national regulations with the EU acquis. Its responsibilities cover agriculture and rural development, forestry and hunting, fisheries and aquaculture, agricultural land, and animal and plant health. Brown bear management in Croatia falls under the joint jurisdiction of the Ministry’s Directorate for Forestry, Hunting and Wood Industry and the Ministry responsible for nature protection. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, the Ministry contributes its experience and knowledge in legal and management frameworks, human–bear conflict reduction, habitat management and transboundary cooperation. It also contributes to the collection of material for genetic analysis, supporting improvements in brown bear conservation and management at national level.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb hosts a large carnivore research team that has studied brown bears, wolves and lynx since 1981. Its research covers multiple aspects of brown bear biology, ecology and health, with results contributing directly to bear management in Croatia and beyond. The team has extensive experience in brown bear research and management across the Dinaric–Pindos population range. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, FVM contributes its long-standing scientific and management expertise to activities across several Work Packages and Tasks.

EuroNatur is a non-profit conservation organisation founded in 1987 and based in Germany. Its mission is to protect Europe’s natural heritage through cross-border nature conservation, working closely with local partner organisations, scientists, policymakers and communities. EuroNatur has extensive experience in large carnivore conservation, including work on brown bears, wolves and lynx. 

EuroNatur is the coordinator of LIFE DinPin Bear, responsible for the overall administration and financial management of the consortium. It also contributes directly to project implementation, including the development of Bear Smart Communities to promote human–bear coexistence, as well as communication and dissemination activities supporting stakeholder engagement and the sharing of project results.

Callisto – Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society is a non-profit environmental organisation established in Thessaloniki in 2004. Its work focuses on environmental research and management and the protection of nature and natural resources. Callisto has extensive experience in European and transboundary conservation projects, particularly in the conservation and management of large carnivores. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, Callisto contributes expertise and best practices in brown bear conservation and management, including population and habitat monitoring, human–bear conflict management, public awareness and outreach. Callisto also has a central coordination role, leading the project’s scientific coordination, communication and public awareness activities, as well as actions promoting citizen engagement and transboundary cooperation.

The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) is a public entity established in 2020 under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy. Its mission includes implementing environmental policy relating to protected area management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and climate change. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, NECCA participates in genetic sampling and supports telemetry monitoring to improve knowledge of brown bear movements and critical habitats. It also contributes to human–bear conflict mitigation, supports the distribution of deterrent tools, participates in Bear Intervention Teams, and contributes to workshops, stakeholder platforms, networking and the evaluation of conservation and management interventions.

Environmentally Responsible Action (ERA), founded in 2003, promotes environmental awareness and action among young people and local communities through experiential education. ERA has contributed to the establishment and conservation of protected areas, including Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, and has supported the identification of areas of high ecological value. Its work includes the conservation of habitats for large carnivores such as brown bears, wolves and lynx, as well as research, advocacy and cooperation with institutions to strengthen biodiversity protection and environmental policy.

The Centre for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 2000 and dedicated to nature and biodiversity conservation in Montenegro. Through scientific research, biodiversity monitoring, species and habitat conservation, advocacy and environmental education, CZIP contributes to the protection of natural values and the sustainable management of natural resources, working closely with public institutions, international partners and local communities. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, CZIP coordinates activities in Montenegro related to brown bear conservation and monitoring. Its work includes non-invasive genetic monitoring, support for telemetry monitoring, capacity building for the national Bear Intervention Team and activities promoting human–bear coexistence. CZIP also contributes to public awareness, cooperation with local communities, transboundary cooperation and knowledge exchange across the Dinaric–Pindos region.

The Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro (EPA) is the national authority responsible for environmental monitoring and nature protection. Its responsibilities include monitoring the conservation status of habitats and species, biodiversity data management, Natura 2000 development, environmental impact assessment, protected species management and nature protection planning. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, EPA contributes national data on brown bear distribution and supports habitat connectivity assessments, population-level management guidelines and harmonised monitoring protocols. It also contributes to management planning, capacity building, communication, education, stakeholder engagement and project dissemination at national level.

Established in 1972, the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) works to advance ecological science and biodiversity conservation. Its main areas of work include habitat and species conservation, the protection of ecologically important sites and networks, and environmental education. MES has extensive experience in large carnivore research and monitoring, including long-term work on the critically endangered Balkan lynx and projects involving the brown bear as a target or umbrella species. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, MES contributes across the project’s main areas of action, including assessment of brown bear population status, habitat suitability and connectivity, reduction of human–bear conflicts, transnational management and capacity building, stakeholder engagement and public awareness.

The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MOEPP) is the national authority responsible for nature protection policy in North Macedonia. Through its environmental administration, the Ministry coordinates biodiversity conservation, protected area management, the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and the implementation of national legislation and international agreements relating to nature protection. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, the Ministry contributes to the development and implementation of policies and measures for brown bear conservation, strengthening institutional and legal frameworks, improving monitoring and promoting cross-border cooperation. It also contributes to communication, public awareness and coordination with relevant institutions and stakeholders for the long-term protection of the species and its habitats.

The Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade (FBUB) is a research and higher education institution with a long tradition in the biological sciences. Its expertise relevant to LIFE DinPin Bear includes wildlife ecology, large carnivore research, biodiversity conservation, conservation planning and stakeholder collaboration. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, FBUB implements scientific activities related to monitoring and conserving the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population in Serbia. Its work includes non-invasive genetic sampling, telemetry-based movement ecology, population assessment, habitat-use analysis and the development of standardised monitoring protocols. FBUB also supports transboundary data exchange and the harmonisation of monitoring methodologies across the project area.

DivjaLabs is a Slovenian biotechnology company specialising in advanced DNA-based tools for biodiversity conservation and wildlife management. A spin-off from the University of Ljubljana, it combines molecular genetics, bioinformatics and ecological expertise and has extensive experience in genetic monitoring of brown bears and other large carnivores across Europe. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, DivjaLabs leads genetic monitoring of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population. It coordinates harmonised sampling and laboratory methods, analyses genetic samples and assesses population size, connectivity and genetic diversity. It also contributes to transnational monitoring guidelines and activities supporting evidence-based brown bear conservation.

The Slovenia Forest Service (SFS) is a public institution providing forestry services across Slovenian forests, which cover nearly 60% of the country. It also acts as a wildlife management planning authority, with responsibilities including large carnivore conservation, wildlife monitoring, damage assessment, management planning and habitat improvement. 

Within LIFE DinPin Bear, SFS focuses on transferring best practices in brown bear management, including damage prevention, habitat connectivity and approaches to preventing illegal killing. It leads the development of international brown bear management guidelines at Dinaric–Pindos population level, supporting a coordinated and science-based approach across participating countries.