When a Common Goal Connects

The Programme “Promoting Sustainable Tourism and Strengthening Biodiversity in Protected Areas” (Biodiversity), implemented under the Swiss–Slovak Cooperation Programme, is moving into the implementation phase following the completion of the project selection process.

On 19 November 2025, the opening conference of projects supported under the open call BIO02 “Strengthening Biodiversity in Protected Areas” took place in Jasná. Six Project Promoters presented their projects, planned activities and the objectives they aim to achieve. Each project is unique, focused on specific local needs and includes activities such as environmental education, forest restoration, strengthening landscape resilience, or the revitalisation of wetlands and water features. Despite their diversity, the projects share one common goal – to contribute to the sustainable protection of nature and safeguard it for future generations.

Five of the projects involve Swiss Partners – WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research), HAFL (Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences) and WWF Switzerland. These institutions were introduced in the opening remarks by the Swiss Ambassador to Slovakia, H.E. Peter Nelson.

The projects selected under the open call will work synergistically and complement activities implemented within the predefined project “Tourists and Nature Come Together”, implemented by the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic and the National Park Administrations. This project forms the cornerstone of the Biodiversity Programme and focuses on systemic improvements and better management of the nine Slovak national parks. Regional development and sustainable biodiversity protection do not exclude one another – they support and reinforce each other.

The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, as the Programme Operator of the Biodiversity Programme, used the opening conference not only to present the supported projects and the predefined project, but also as a space for  discussion and the creation of an informal network of Project Promoters. This network will enable the exchange of information, experience and good practices across projects.