The 5th conference of the Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Platform took place from 11-13 June 2024 and was hosted by Bulgaria. It was supported by the EU Platform as a regional workshop.
Topics of discussion included updates on large carnivore management, thematic debates on livestock and land use conflicts, and the role of hunters in conservation efforts. Participants had the opportunity for further exchange during networking opportunities as well as explore Vitosha Natural Park on a guided field trip.

Experts from Kosovo¹ and Croatia gathered for a one-day meeting organized by WWF Adria – Ecopana, the Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Large Carnivore Platform and governmental ministries of Kosovo to discuss large carnivore management. They deliberated on population management strategies, the establishment of a coordination body for large carnivores. They also discussed possibilities for the creation of an intervention team which could be tasked e.g. with data collection. The event featured numerous representatives and experts from both countries, paving the way for ongoing education and capacity-building efforts in 2024.

¹ For this initiative, Kosovo is referred to in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Two workshops were organised by experts from WWF Adria and the Slovenian Forestry Institute. They presented research findings on ecological connectivity for large carnivores in the Dinaric Balkan Pindos region, with specific emphasis on Kosovo¹ and Serbia. The workshops aimed to share good practice examples of protecting vital connectivity areas, discuss research outcomes, and explore strategies to integrate these findings into strategic documents for better habitat protection. Additionally, field visits to a pilot area were organised for each workshop.

¹For this initiative, Kosovo is referred to in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

At the first-ever joint conference of the two Conventions, representatives from 13 countries exchanged their experiences and activities in the field of large carnivore management. The conference facilitated discussions on shared challenges and differences in management practices at regional and national levels.

At the meeting the objectives of the project “ForestConnect: Towards a Climate-smart Forest Connectivity for Large Carnivores in the Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaric Region” were presented, bringing together project partners, institutions, experts and NGOs from Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Austria.

At the workshop, four experts from the field of conservation genetics spoke about recent developments and applications of using genetics for species conservation and biodiversity monitoring. Talks focused on genetic monitoring, genetic and genomic methods and environmental DNA (eDNA).