Belgrade, 5 May 2026 – With the support of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched an initiative to restore degraded natural habitats and strengthen their connectivity, aiming to halt biodiversity loss and enhance nature’s resilience to climate and other pressures, in line with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Special emphasis will be placed on applying active habitat restoration and connectivity measures in protected areas and their immediate surroundings, as well as engaging local communities and other stakeholders, to demonstrate that nature conservation can go hand in hand with sustainable development and improved living standards. 

“Restoring and connecting natural habitats is not only about protecting nature, but also about investing in human health, community resilience, and a sustainable future. Through this initiative, we are linking global biodiversity conservation goals with concrete actions on the ground – from restoring grasslands, wetlands, and old-growth forests to strengthening cooperation among institutions, local communities, and the private sector”, said Fabrizio Andreuzzi, UNDP Serbia Deputy Resident Representative.

The project focuses on restoring three types of priority habitats essential for both nature and people in Serbia - grasslands, wetlands, and old-growth forests - and establishing ecological corridors that support the adaptation and survival of numerous plant and animal species.

Intensive agriculture, overexploitation of natural resources, urbanisation, infrastructure development, and climate change are among the main factors leading to the degradation and loss of remaining natural habitats.

Through habitat restoration and the creation of ecological corridors, this initiative will support the recovery of species and ecosystems across 1,000 hectares and include at least five protected areas in Serbia. A public call will provide technical and financial support for innovative solutions, including the restoration of at least 200 hectares of degraded habitats and the creation of 10 km² of ecological corridors within or between protected areas.

The creation of ecological corridors is a new development in Serbia, and this initiative will develop a pioneering model in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the European Union acquis on nature protection.

The project “Restoration and Connectivity of Priority Habitats for Species Conservation in Serbia” is financed by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection.