Bees & greens

Challenge

The current policy framework in Serbia lacks regulations for nature-based solutions and pollination ecosystem services. Intervention is crucial to improve the policy framework for the protection of pollinators and their habitats, particularly within protected areas.

Objective

Our project aimed to conserve the diversity of pollinators and their natural habitats within the Serbian Green Belt by providing recommendations for their conservation in protected areas. The project particularly focused on the protected areas of Gornje Podunavlje, Subotička peščara and Stara Planina.

Approach

During our two years of work, we conducted extensive desk and field research on pollinator diversity, habitats, and food resources in the selected protected areas. We also assessed the threats, needs and capacities of protected area managers on how to improve pollinator conservation in their habitats. Based on these findings, we developed recommendations for improving protected area management practices. Throughout the project, we communicated about our project and it’s results to civil society, public authorities and experts interested in the pollinator conservation topic. We launched an online campaign to raise awareness of the importance of pollinator ecosystem services, and to educate the public on why and how pollinator conservation is closely linked to human health and well-being.

Achieved Results

With our project we: 

• Carried out field and desk research on pollinator diversity in three targeted protected areas of the Serbian Green Belt.
• Identified key threats and challenges to the conservation of pollination services in the targeted protected areas.
• Provided evidence-based recommendations for pollinator and habitat conservation in protected areas in Serbia.
• Networked with important stakeholders in pollinator conservation to provide support for improving pollinator conservation practices.
• Launched an online public campaign on the importance of conserving pollination services.