Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken an important step towards strengthening the management of its protected areas with the establishment of the Association of Protected Area Managers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Together with the Association of Protected Area Managers of Republika Srpska, which has been successfully operating for more than a year, the country now has protected area managers' associations across Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time.

This milestone strengthens cooperation among protected area managers and institutions, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, the development of joint initiatives and the continuous improvement of protected area management standards.

By working together, the associations will help enhance biodiversity conservation, promote the sustainable use of natural resources and strengthen the resilience of protected areas, while supporting the sustainable development of local communities.

The establishment of both associations is one of the key achievements of the Sustainability of Protected Areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project supports stronger governance of protected areas by enhancing institutional capacities, fostering collaboration and promoting long-term approaches to nature conservation.