Conservation Programme Project Officer - candidates with a background in environmental sciences and natural resource management with more than 5 years of experience; good understanding of international standards and regional priorities at the interface of conservation outcomes and their socio-economic benefits. Closes: 3 Jan 2021.

Protected and Conserved Areas Project Officer - candidates with a background in environmental sciences and natural resource management with more than 5 years of experience; good knowledge of IUCN global standards on protected and conserved areas and key principles in protected areas governance and management. Closes: 3 Jan 2021.

Nature-based Solutions Project Officer - candidates with a background in environmental sciences and natural resource management; and those familiar with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and interested in its direct application. Closes: 27 Dec 2020.

The Western Balkan Leaders confirmed their commitment to an ambitious environmental agenda to fight climate change by endorsing a Declaration on implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, at the Sofia Summit in November. Read more and Factsheet: Green Agenda for the WB

The European Green Deal is aligned to mobilise action on nature-based solutions (NbS) and, at the same time, help deliver the European Recovery Package, according to IUCN, which co-hosted a virtual event this week with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the UN Environment Programme. Read more

The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans can become a reality only if we place nature more centrally in our development strategies and lead by example on that pathway, stressed Boris Erg on behalf of IUCN and BDTF SEE at the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Action in the Western Balkans organised today by the Regional Cooperation Council. Read more 

The European bison (Bison bonasus), Europe’s largest land mammal, has moved from Vulnerable to Near Threatened thanks to continued conservation efforts, according to the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. With this update, 31 species also move into the Extinct category, and all of the world’s freshwater dolphin species are now threatened with extinction. Read more

In November 2020, Ismayilli region of Azerbaijan welcomed 5 more bison from Europe, bringing their total number to 19. The initial herd of bison released in May 2019 acclimated perfectly to the local environment and has given birth to 3 calves. Overall, the giants of the forest have shown great signs of adaptation and coexistence. In light of the recent IUCN status upgrade of the European bison, IDEA, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and WWF Azerbaijan are beyond happy to have been involved in the success of the species recovery and very proud to continue working on establishing a free-roaming bison population in the Caucasus. 

Following the proposal of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia placed the Osogovo Mountains under protection, increasing the national percentage of protected areas from 8.9% to 10.8%. This news was celebrated as one of the first steps under the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Read more (MKD)

Celebrating the founding day of Gizilagaj National Park in Azerbaijan, a fish stocking event took place on 26 September. Various species of baby carps were released into the gulf of Gizilaghaj - a Hope Spot, designated for protection under a global conservation campaign of the Mission Blue. Conducted by IDEA and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the event is part of a project Abundant Basins, which aims to replenish the country’s fish populations, reduce pollution and promote sustainable fishing to ultimately restore the marine environment in the Caspian Sea. Read more 

Serbia has designated its eleventh and largest Wetland of International Importance. Djerdap covers over 66,000 hectares within the National Park of the same name along the right bank of the River Danube, where it passes through the “Iron Gates” gorge separating the southern Carpathian mountains from the north-western Balkans. Read more on Ramsar Convention or the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia website (SER)

Aiming to support Civil Society Organizations’ advocacy work on the promotion of environmental issues, efforts against corruption, and the right to information access, IUCN and INCA have launched a project in Albania, supported by the European Commission. Read more

Djerdap National Park in Eastern Serbia is threatened by the new Detailed Urban Development Plan for „Archaeological site – Lepenski vir“, presented by the Majdanpek Municipality in October. Namely, the Plan is looking to build a new docking station on the river, with accompanying touristic objects, close to the archaeological site Lepenski vir, despite an existing and functional docking station in the riverside town of Donji Milanovac, situated only 16km from the archaeological site. Read more

As part of its on-going efforts to fight bird poaching, PPNEA organized an anti-poaching camp in December. Relevant stakeholders, law enforcement authorities as well as investigative media, tourism agencies and hunting associations gathered to discuss and monitor the area. The activities culminated with the destruction of 11 hunting hides inside the Lalzi bay, an Important Bird Area (IBA). Read more

By creating a joint tourist offer related to ornitho-fauna and natural resources, this project will strengthen and diversify the tourist offer through cross-border access and enable sustainable use of natural heritage. It is a partnership of Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro, Municipality of Nijemci (CRO), the City of Tuzla and Development Association NERDA (BIH), and the Center for Protection and Study of Birds of Montenegro. Read more

Across the Western Balkans, WWF is fighting projects and policies endangering the last European free-flowing rivers. With that in mind, is there a better way to celebrate the New Year than receiving the news that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is stopping subsidies for small hydropower plants? They are also devising solutions to ban further small hydro construction. This is a massive win for all organizations working to protect our rivers. Read more

The app, developed in the LIFE preparatory project “LIFE e-Natura2000.edu” gives Natura 2000 managers and Protected Areas specialists an innovative way to network, discuss and learn. Through the “connect” function, the right solution might just be one swipe away. Additionally, the app provides users with relevant news, features and videos. It is available on Google Play and App Store. Read more

New environmental bonds were issued at the Sustainable Development sector of the Moscow Exchange this December. The resulting impact on environment will equal to reducing CO2 emissions by 6,408 tones. Such precise forecast of the carbon emission mitigation has been given by a bank for the first time in the history of green bonds issuing in Russia. Read more

IUCN launched the Nature+ Accelerator Fund, a first-of-its-kind private sector-focused fund that is expected to secure measurable conservation and social benefits while delivering financial returns for investors. Read more

The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas is proud to announce the new International Ranger Awards. Developed in collaboration with the International Ranger Federation, Global Wildlife Conservation, and Conservation Allies, these awards will recognise the remarkable work of rangers. Each Awardee will receive a unique uniform patch and their employing organisation will receive US$ 10,000 to support their work. Read more

CEPF has opened a call for proposals for large grants ($20,000 - $150,000) for Mountains of Central Asia. As per the two-step Large Grant application process, at this stage submissions suppose abbreviated Letters of Interest, accompanied by a basic budget, which can be made more detailed should the application be selected to submit a full application. Read more

The primary objective of the AFCIA administrated by UNEP-CTCN is to support developing countries to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies. Based on technical assistance services, 25 micro-grants projects will be implemented for 5 years to enhance climate resilience and adapt to climate change in the countries. Read more and here

MOOC (Massive, Open, Online Course) Climate change, risks and challenges has been adapted and translated to Serbian language, within Climate Pact for Impact project supported by the Swedish Government. You can listen to the full course in around 5 hours, or have a coffee and listen to the Espresso MOOC. The course is being applied to universities in Serbia, and will be used to raise awareness about climate change amongst policy makers, business community and all those who are not directly involved with the subject. English, German and Russian versions of the full MOOC and the Espresso one are also available and open to all.

IUCN and the French government have agreed to hold the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 from 3 to 11 September 2021 in Marseille. The event, originally scheduled for June 2020, was postponed due to the pandemic. Read more

The first edition of the ADAPT Newsletter with updates on Nature-based Solutions in the  Western Balkans is published.

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Climate change is now the biggest threat to natural World Heritage, according to IUCN's report.

A third (33%) of natural World Heritage sites are threatened by climate change, including the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, assessed as having a “critical” outlook for the first time.

Read more

A new IUCN report finds that an estimated 229,000 tonnes of plastic is leaking into the Mediterranean Sea every year, equivalent to over 500 shipping containers each day. Unless significant measures are taken to address mismanaged waste, the main source of the leakage, this will at least double by 2040.

Read more

#RestoreWetlands #WorldWetlandsDay

World Wetlands Day

#WWD2021

World Wildlife Day

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