Training for Protected Area managers: Project writing as the key to sustainable nature conservation funding in Serbia

Within the "Together for the Environment" project, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) held a two-day training on project proposal writing for protected area managers on 29-30 August in Belgrade. The aim of this training was to equip managers in Serbia with the essential skills for developing successful project proposals, thereby increasing their chances of securing additional funding vital for the effective management of protected areas and biodiversity conservation.

Protected areas in Serbia face specific challenges in management and biodiversity conservation, which demand additional support and resources. As part of the "Together for the Environment" project, a Capacity and Competency Needs Assessment Study for Protected Area Managers in Serbia highlighted key areas and priorities for improving their work and capacity building.

"One of the key conclusions of the Study is that there is significant potential to further strengthen capacities at the individual, organisational, and systemic levels, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, resource management, and communication", explains Jovana Dragić May, IUCN. "Securing sustainable funding is a major challenge for protected area managers, and finding innovative solutions is crucial. This training was designed as a vital step toward addressing that challenge, focusing on enhancing their ability to identify needs, develop ideas, write strong project proposals, and oversee their implementation", Dragić May adds.

A total of 23 representatives from protected area management organisations in Serbia and the Ministry of Environmental Protection participated in the training, where they gained valuable insights into project writing techniques and learned about donor expectations for successful proposals.

Given the complexity of managing protected areas, it is essential for managers to develop the skills to craft high-quality project proposals that can effectively compete for funding. Securing financial support from various sources not only provides additional resources but also enables the implementation of innovative solutions and practices that can significantly enhance the conservation of natural resources. Following the training, participants will have the opportunity to engage in several mentoring sessions to address any questions they may have, including discussions on cross-border project opportunities.

During the training, participants were also introduced to the "Together for Protected Areas" grant competition, announced by the Young Researchers of Serbia as part of the aforementioned project, as well as other project activities aimed at managers. This session marked the first in a series of trainings that IUCN and its partners will deliver, in cooperation with relevant institutions, following the recommendations of the Capacity and Competency Needs Assessment Study for Protected Area Managers in Serbia.

The training was conducted as part of the five-year "Together for the Environment" project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Belgrade Open School (BOS) in cooperation with Young Researchers of Serbia, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ENECA, the international organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham).

Photo source: IUCN