This new document for Transboundary Protected Area Managers dives into best practice examples from the EUROPARC Transboundary Programme Network. Get inspired!

About the document

Transboundary Areas (TBAs) represent some of the most ecologically significant and culturally rich landscapes in the world. Spanning national borders, these regions demand collaborative efforts to address shared environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Our Practical Guidelines For Transboundary Protected Area Managers In Europe document, available below, dives into the achievements of EUROPARC-certified Transboundary Areas, exploring how cross-border cooperation can achieve tangible results for conservation, governance, tourism, and more. By analysing diverse case studies, this resource highlights the innovative strategies that have been successfully implemented in Transboundary Areas across Europe.

Key themes

The document is organised around several core themes, including:

• Conservation: Strategies for protecting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems across borders.
• Tourism: Promoting sustainable tourism initiatives that benefit local communities while preserving natural and cultural heritage.
• Policy and Governance: Strengthening transboundary partnerships to address shared management challenges.
• Climate Change: Developing adaptive approaches to mitigate and manage the effects of a changing climate.
• Culture, Youth, and Digital Innovation: Empowering communities and the next generation through education, technology, and cultural exchange.

While the themes provide a structured approach, the reality of managing TBAs shows how deeply intertwined these areas are. Conservation intersects with climate adaptation; tourism relies on cultural preservation; and governance links all efforts together into a cohesive strategy.

Lessons for Transboundary Area Managers

The examples in the document demonstrate that success lies in fostering collaboration, leveraging innovative tools, and engaging stakeholders at all levels. From shared maps and citizen science initiatives to environmental education programmes and cross-border policy frameworks, these projects highlight the transformative power of partnership.

For TBA managers and conservationists worldwide, this document offers a roadmap to adapt and replicate successful strategies, ensuring these unique regions thrive for generations to come.

Why it matters

Transboundary areas transcend political boundaries, serving as vital reminders of our shared responsibility to protect the planet. By learning from the experiences of EUROPARC-certified Transboundary Areas, we can strengthen efforts to build resilient ecosystems, support local communities, and promote a sustainable future for all.

Check the full guideline document below. Let’s collaborate to safeguard our shared natural heritage!

Practical Guidelines for Transboundary Area Managers in Europe (2024)

The EUROPARC network continues to grow! We are excited to welcome our newest member: The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts: An Overview

As a newly welcomed member of the EUROPARC Federation, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) brings a wealth of experience and innovation to the collective network. RSWT serves as the central charity and unified voice for 46 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Alderney, and the Isle of Man. Together, they work under a federated structure with a clear mission: to restore wildlife, empower people to act for nature, and build a society where nature holds a central role.

Their vision? A thriving natural world where wildlife and habitats help address the climate and ecological emergencies, with everyone inspired to be part of nature’s recovery.

Ash tree and sunset – Coed Crafnant, North Wales © Ben Porter

Interview Time!

Get to know RSWT better! Marie Butler, who is a Knowledge Exchange Officer at RSWT, answered our questions.

What innovative practices or tools is RSWT currently implementing that could inspire other EUROPARC members?

RSWT is leading by example with cutting-edge initiatives:

Changing Nature: Climate Adaptation Report

RSWT has conducted in-depth assessments of climate risk, detailing how climate change impacts its land holdings, wildlife, and resources. Their updated report, Embracing Nature (2024), highlighted drought as the most significant threat to UK nature reserves, an insight they’ve shared with the UK government.

Restoring Atlantic Rainforests with AVIVA

Through a landmark partnership, RSWT is working on a 100-year vision to revive lost Atlantic rainforests, spanning over 2,000 hectares. This initiative aims to sequester 800,000 tonnes of carbon, mitigate flooding, and create shaded habitats for wildlife.

Creating a National Flagship Site

RSWT has begun plans to transform the 3,800-hectare Rothbury Estate into a national flagship site, integrating nature recovery, sustainable farming, and community engagement. This initiative supports the UK’s goal to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.

RSWT has a strong history of youth engagement. How do you plan to collaborate with EUROPARC on educational and youth-focused programmes?

Building an Online Community

In the last two years, RSWT created an online community of over 1,000 young people aged 16–30. This age group has historically been the least engaged with The Wildlife Trusts. To address this, RSWT conducted research with over 300 young people to understand how they view both The Wildlife Trusts and the wider environmental sector. The findings showed that many young people didn’t feel that RSWT was accessible or relevant to them.

To bridge this gap, RSWT launched a Discord server. This platform provides a digital space where young people can connect, network, and share opportunities. They can also learn about campaigning and find events related to nature and climate. The server has already started attracting international members. RSWT believes this could evolve into a collaborative hub for EUROPARC and other organisations, offering a shared space for young environmental advocates.

Supporting Future Leaders

RSWT is equally committed to developing young leaders. Their Next Gen Nature staff network helps young professionals grow within the organisation. Inspired by EUROPARC’s Youth Council and manifesto, RSWT is also creating their own youth council.

Additionally, they run a community of practice for Trustees under 35. This group focuses on improving youth governance, avoiding tokenism, and ensuring the longevity of youth-focused initiatives.

A Vision for Collaboration

In the future, RSWT hopes to unite young leaders across organisations for learning and collaboration. They even envision hosting an international summit for youth councils and emerging leaders. This would provide a platform for sharing ideas, building networks, and creating long-term change.

How does RSWT measure the success of its conservation initiatives, and how do you plan to share these results within the EUROPARC network?

Facilitating Knowledge Exchange

While RSWT does not conduct conservation work directly, it plays a key role in supporting the 46 local Wildlife Trusts. This is done through facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting best practices.

RSWT regularly hosts online webinars to share successes and lessons learned. Many of these sessions could be opened to EUROPARC members, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas across organisations.

Sharing Progress Through Reports

RSWT also publishes an annual impact report, which is free and publicly accessible. This report highlights the organisation’s achievements and contributions to nature recovery.

In addition, RSWT produces other key reports, such as Wild Science. These documents provide evidence-based insights into the role of nature in addressing the climate and ecological crises. By sharing these resources openly, RSWT supports broader learning across the conservation community, including EUROPARC members.

Volunteers and staff from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust building a rain garden © RSWT

Every year, the Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship supports the work of young conservationists in Protected Areas across Europe. Emmanuelle Déon was one of the winners of the Scholarship in 2023 and travelled to Belgium and England to learn more about creating more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups in Protected Areas.

Article written by Emmanuelle Déon.

How can we take action for a more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups ? 

Sustainable tourism is based on the need to reconcile environmental, economic and social issues. However, the ‘social’ pillar of sustainable tourism often seems less present in the strategies developed by Protected Areas or even Destination Management Organizations, while there are major issues at stake here.

When it comes to better tailor services or facilities for people with disabilities, we are all aware – to a greater or lesser extent – of what needs to be done, even if there is still considerable room for improvement in this field.

But one area where more effort could also be made is the accessibility of tourism for other under-served groups such as people with small budgets. A large share of people still do not have access to tourism (French statistics suggest that 4 people out of ten never go on a holiday): some people are less inclined to undertake holidays or countryside visits, whether for economic, cultural or physical reasons (it may also be a deliberate choice sometimes, but that’s not what we’re looking at here).

It is necessary that Protected Areas and destinations tackle this issue and take action for a more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups in general.

How inclusive tourism can be a solution to the climate challenge

One main reason to wish for more inclusive tourism is that being able to go on a holiday is a source of well-being for people. Holidays can indeed provide a change of scenery, a possibility to renew or strengthen family ties, and a chance to broaden one’s horizons by discovering new landscapes.

But a more inclusive access to sustainable tourism can also be part of the solution when it comes to raising people’s awareness of the current environmental and climate challenges. As Baba Dioum (Senegalese environmentalist) famously stated : “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught”. In this respect, tourism can help to develop people’s interest in varied landscapes, environments and natural habitats.

Research about initiatives carried out by (or with) nature areas 

Emmanuele Déon with experts during her study visit in Dothill Local Nature Reserve

Currently working as a Sustainable Tourism Project Manager for a regional park in France, I was curious to find out what initiatives could be undertaken by nature areas to make sustainable tourism more accessible towards “potential new vacationers”.

My work has consisted of:

• An in-person meeting in Flanders / Province of Antwerp (Belgium) to learn more about inclusive tourism strategies and policies.
• A study visit in Shropshire Hills National Landscape (England), where outreach and engagement work is developed by the National Landscape with underserved communities. In addition, several stakeholders also shared inspiring projects and visions about inclusive access to tourism and leisure.
• A participation in a conference about inclusive tourism.
• Several online interviews and researches about other interesting projects included in the report.

Some initiatives described in my report directly refer to access to tourism and holidays for all, while others examples focus on a more local access to leisure in the great outdoors. Access to nature in one’s local environment can indeed be seen as a first step and occasion for individuals to develop new skills, and the ability to prepare for future holidays elsewhere.

Suggestions on how to take action

Protected Areas can act or advocate for a more inclusive tourism, through :

Frequent resting places and signage in Dothill Local Nature Reserve

• A better understanding of the needs of “under-served groups” and “potential new vacationers”.
• Building their own awareness and confidence in getting involved towards underserved groups, and in tackling new challenges linked to inclusivity. It also means we need to seek for more diversity in our own teams!
• Collaborating in partnerships and breaking down silos between social services, tourism, and other sectors. Including volunteer engagement in the scope can also be an interesting lever for action.
• Developing an inclusive tourism design in all development projects.
• Developing required infrastructure and transports (affordable, easy to use, convenient…).
• Offering personalized support for individuals and families concerned.
• Evaluating impact & ensuring long term engagement towards inclusivity.

This list does not limit itself to things that nature areas are in charge of: some aspects are beyond our scope. But we should all have a global vision of the challenges and potential partners concerned, especially when “working together” is key to an inclusive tourism strategy.

Besides, Protected Areas’ role as “coordinators” between different local partners in their regions, can enable them to be key players in triggering certain dynamics, even when these actions do not depend directly on them.

Dive deeper into this topic through the report below!

Report by Emmanuelle Déon

A special thanks goes out to the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung for providing this chance to young professionals.