From 30 January to 1 February, Aysegul Cil (ECNC Programme Manager) and Mark Snethlage (ECNC Project Manager) travelled to Zagreb for the kick off meeting launching the last phase of the Communicating for Nature Conservation project with the local partners in Croatia, the State Institute for Nature Conservation (SINP). They discussed the proposed work plan with Petra Rodiæ Baranoviæ, Kristijan Èiviæ, Aljoša Dupliæ of the SINP and with Aleksandra Majiæ of the University of Ljubljana.

Good communicating skills are essential for effective nature conservation. Nowadays decisions about use of land and natural resources are increasingly taken by a process of consultation and negotiation involving a wide range of stakeholders with different (and conflicting) interests. It is therefore essential for conservationists (both governmental and non governmental) to be able to formulate their interests in a convincing way.

This project, financed by the Norwegian Government, started in 2005 and now entered its last phase. It  seeks to train governmental and non governmental actors in nature conservation and teach them basic communication and facilitation skills they will need to achieve the best results in the decision making process.

The last phase consists of three sessions: a refresher course to prepare the local trainers, a basic training given by the local trainers and an advanced course with Master Class for the best trainees. In the coming 9 months, up to 60 people will be trained in Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

During the meeting, the pilot study developed as part of this project, was reviewed and the current progress assessed. It is an initiative of public consultation and communication for a better protection of the Neretva Delta through the involvement of local stakeholders.

To learn more about this project, visit: http://www.ecnc.org/jump/page/CommunicatingNatureC/Index_560.html.
For more information, contact Mark Snethlage, ECNC Project Manager.