Initiative

By following a course of which large sections were part of the former East-West border – one of the most divisive boundaries in history – the European Green Belt symbolizes the global effort for joint cross-border activities in nature conservation and sustainable development. Moreover, the initiative aims to better harmonise human activities with the natural environment and to increase opportunities for the socio-economic development of local communities.

The European Green Belt is an initiative that is tailored to fit the current political situation and current developments, with a focus on some of Europe's most impressive and fragile landscapes. The European Green Belt showls have a historic example of division can transform itself into a model for joint nature conservation in Europe.

Today the European Green Belt Initiative connects 24 countries - 16 EU countries, five candidate countries (Albania, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey), one potential EU candidate (Kosovo (in accordance with UNSCR 1244 and opinion of ICJ)) and two non-EU countries (Russia and Norway). Almost 150 GOs and NGOs from these countries have come together in the Green Belt Initiative. The Initiative is organized in four sections – Fennoscandian, Baltic, Central European and Balkan Green Belt – in order to reflect and highlight the regional diversity of the European Green Belt. Besides its extraordinary ecological importance, the initiative is a living example of how Europe and its diverse cultures can truly grow together. From the European Green Belt we can learn that biological diversity goes hand in hand with cultural diversity. It is a symbol for transboundary cooperation and Europe’s shared natural and cultural heritage.