Across Europe’s transboundary Protected Areas, education is more than outreach — it is a strategic investment in long-term cooperation. By engaging young people, strengthening multilingual learning, and connecting culture with conservation, parks are building shared responsibility beyond borders.

This first 2026 Transboundary Programme Spotlight Story presents three examples that illustrate how youth and education drive transboundary impact — from Arctic dark skies (2024), to hands-on conservation camps (2025), to structural cross-border visitor education projects launching in 2026.

2024: Dark Skies and Cultural Education in Pasvik-Inari

In 2024, Øvre Pasvik National Park in Norway — part of the Pasvik-Inari Transboundary Area — became Norway’s first site certified as an International Dark Sky Place by DarkSky International.

Located in Norway’s far northeast, the park offers exceptional opportunities to observe the Aurora Borealis during the polar night. Yet the designation is not only about spectacular night skies — it reflects a strong educational commitment.

The park collaborates with local schools to integrate STEM-based dark sky education and works with research institutions to raise awareness through citizen science programmes, nature schools, and public lectures. Visitor centres at NIBIO Svanhovd and Gjøken make these themes accessible to residents and international visitors alike.

Across the border in Finland, the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida — located within the wider Pasvik-Inari cooperation area — was recognised as both Museum of the Year 2024 and European Museum of the Year 2024. Through innovative and interactive storytelling, the museum connects Sámi cultural heritage with Arctic biodiversity, demonstrating how cultural and environmental education can reinforce each other.

Together, these recognitions highlight how transboundary cooperation strengthens education at multiple levels — from school engagement to international awards.

2025: Youth Camp Wildenrath — Practical Conservation in Maas-Schwalm-Nette

In summer 2025, the cross-border park Maas-Schwalm-Nette organised an international volunteer camp bringing together 16 young people from across Europe.

For two weeks, participants were hosted at Naturschutzstation Haus Wildenrath on the German side of the border, while working in nature areas in both Germany and the Netherlands.

Their work focused on sensitive habitats of high importance for snakes and amphibians. These areas tend to become overgrown with shrubs and trees, reducing sunlight and ground vegetation. Because the work is too delicate for heavy machinery — or not always financially feasible — manual intervention was essential.

The young volunteers cleared excessive vegetation in several small sites, directly improving habitat conditions and contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Key partners included:

• Staatsbosbeheer
• Naturschutzstation Haus Wildenrath
• SIW Volunteers
• Nationaal Park De Meinweg
• Cross-border park Maas-Schwalm-Nette

The experience also revealed important lessons for cross-border governance. Beyond funding questions, discussions focused on responsibility and liability. Partners learned that investing time in building relationships and establishing shared ownership is crucial before defining financial and operational details.

Although the participants came from across Europe, the camp strengthened cooperation locally. Responsible authorities on both sides of the border worked more closely together. As organisers reflected, understanding who does what — and simply having each other’s contact details — is fundamental to effective transboundary collaboration.

Youth engagement here was not symbolic; it delivered ecological results and reinforced institutional trust.

(c) Maas-Schwalm-Nette

2026–2028: Better Together in the Bavarian Forest and Šumava

Beginning in January 2026, Bavarian Forest National Park and Šumava National Park are launching a three-year project that places multilingual education at the centre of their cooperation.

Responding to growing demand from neighbouring countries and international visitors, the project includes three interconnected components:

1. Joint Multilingual Exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions at the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus (Germany) and Stožec visitor centre (Czech Republic) will be redesigned with consistent content. Visitors will experience a virtual walk through shared biotopes, presenting the two parks as one connected ecosystem.

2. Bilateral Guide Training

A joint training and qualification concept for guides will introduce new teaching modules and digital materials. Multilingual guided tours will enhance accessibility for visitors from neighbouring countries and abroad.

3. A Connected Cross-Border Cycling Route

The cycling route between Stožec and Neuschönau will be enhanced with multilingual digital information services, as well as charging and repair stations, physically linking the two visitor centres and reinforcing the shared narrative.

The project supports both tourism and regional cooperation while ensuring accessibility for people with special requirements. It represents an important structural step toward long-term cross-border alignment in interpretation, training, and visitor services.

Initial exhibition sketches from project book. (c) Bavarian Forest NP and Sumava NP.

Shared Message for the Future

Across these three examples — from Arctic night skies (2024), to hands-on youth conservation (2025), to structured multilingual education initiatives beginning in 2026 — one message is clear:

Transboundary cooperation becomes sustainable when it invests in learning.

Education strengthens environmental awareness, builds institutional trust, supports inclusive tourism, and empowers young people to take responsibility for shared natural heritage.

Nature does not recognise borders. Through youth engagement and education, Europe’s transboundary Protected Areas ensure that the next generation understands this — and acts accordingly.

Three case studies of Protected Areas engaging in various climate actions.

Protected Areas in Action—Inspiration in the Climate-Nature Nexus

The interconnectedness of climate and nature is well established: healthy ecosystems underpin climate resilience, and effective climate action secures biodiversity. Yet, translating this understanding into on-the-ground results within Protected Areas often faces practical obstacles—limited funding, competing land uses, policy gaps, and the need for cross-sector collaboration.

This article explores the latest case studies from the EUROPARC members and delves into successful solutions to common challenges.

Volunteers planting sphagnum by Claire Maxted, BMC

Case Study 1: The Climate Project: Sphagnum Planting for Peatland Restoration in the Peak District

The British Mountaineering Council and the Peak District National Park, delivered by Moors for the Future Partnership, have a volunteer programme to bring outdoor sport practitioners into the work of the national park and allowing all to be involved in delivering climate actions through nature restoration. Their lighthouse project won the first ever EUROPARC/ENOS Joint Award so read the full story in our knowledge hub!

Implementation of Fish census protocol by Vasilis Resaikos, Cavo Greco MPA

Case Study 2: Climate-adaptation tools in N2000 site Cavo Greco MPA, Cyprus.

Cavo Greco MPA on Cyprus’s southeast coast covers 9.62 km² and has been part of Natura 2000 since 2008, becoming a marine protected area in 2018. Due to increasing environmental pressures such as growing tourism, rising human activity along the coast, and the vulnerability of its sensitive marine habitats to climate change, the MPA joined the Interreg-EuroMed MPA4Change project. They implemented a set of seven climate-adaptation toolkits to improve monitoring, management, and stakeholder engagement. Interested in their experience?

Derek McLoughlin and Marina Xenophontos (European Commission) Natura 2000 award (Working together for Nature) by Michael McLaughlin

Case Study 3: LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature: Incentivising peatland restoration via results-based payments

The Wild Atlantic region of Ireland, implemented a Results Based Payment Scheme (RBPS) linking payments to an annual habitat score (0–10) based on ecological indicators. This incentivised maintaining or improving habitat quality and succesfully increased the momentum of landowners of Natura 2000 to restoring and maintaining biodiversity. It was enacted together with multiple partners and building public support such as school programmes, community seed funds, outreach actions which reinforced local buy-in and build capacity. Do you think you could do the same?

Toolkit: Climate Change Adaptation – Toolkit for Protected Area Managers

This toolkit has been produced to support the work of Protected Area managers in doing the necessary commitments and adjustments to minimize the impacts that Climate Change is having, and will continue having, in the natural spaces they safeguard. It can be used both as a first step, for those managers that did not consider yet Climate Change adaptation measures in their Parks, and for those that despite having started with adaptation measures they need to take further steps in order to have a more integrated approach.

These cases showcase successful efforts and actions taken across the EUROPARC network.

Do you also have an example to share? Send us your case study and join the diversity of voices inspiring and promoting good practices across the EUROPARC network!

The European Day of Parks is the only day dedicated to celebrating Protected Areas and all they do. Join in on the celebrations this year around the theme ‘Connected by Nature’!

About the European Day of Parks

The European Day of Parks (EDoP) takes place each year on 24 May, bringing Protected Areas and communities across Europe together to celebrate the value and beauty of our natural heritage. Since its launch by the EUROPARC Federation in 1999, this day has become a landmark for parks, nature organisations and local partners to raise awareness and connect people with nature.

The 2026 theme: Connected by Nature

In 2026, the theme “Connected by Nature” highlights the importance of ecological and social linkages. From wildlife corridors and linked habitats to active partnerships between people and landscapes. Parks and Protected Areas do not exist in isolation, and this year’s celebration invites everyone to explore and strengthen the lifelines that support nature throughout Europe.

You can be part of this! Whether you are part of a park authority, community group, school, NGO or simply passionate about nature, the official EDoP Guidelines for Parks are available to help you plan and organise activities around the 24 May. These can range from guided nature walks and educational workshops to community gatherings and awareness campaigns — all tailored to reflect how your local landscapes are connected by nature.

Join the celebration!

Celebrating EDoP is all about getting people out into nature. That is why EUROPARC invites you to organise local events and register them on our website. This will help us showcase how Protected Areas from across Europe are coming together to celebrate this special day! Are you looking for some inspiration? Our Guidelines for Parks will provide you with loads of ideas for events, as well as background information on the theme of this year. Of course, to help the promotion, you can also download the official banner in your language.

Register your event!                         Guidelines for Parks                      Get the official banner

Is the official banner not available in your language yet? No problem! Just write the translation to the following email address, and we will be sure to create it for you:

We look forward to seeing your events! All information is available here.

The latest version of EUROPARC’s journal Protected Areas In-Sight, features inspiring examples from Nature Restoration activities in Europe.

Protected Areas and the Nature Restoration Regulation

Every year, the EUROPARC Federation publishes its journal ‘Protected Areas In-Sight’. It aims to inspire its readers with success stories from across the EUROPARC Network. This issue of the Protected Areas In-Sight explores the role of Protected Areas in the implementation, and success, of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).

Nature for People, People for Nature

Following the theme of the 2025 Conference ‘Nature for People, People for Nature’, the journal looks at Nature Restoration in and beyond Protected Areas from three different, but connected perspectives: Practical, Financial and Social:

• How can restoration measures be implemented?
• How can we ensure addequate financial resources for restoration activities?
• How can we ensure broad sociatal support?

To answer these questions, the EUROPARC Directorate collected stories and experiences from across our members in Europe. Travel to Ireland, to learn how a new approach to restoration has developed a payment scheme for farmers, or discover how Volunteering Days are putting people at the heart of nature restoration in Lithuania. Furthermore, you will find articles from our projects Horizon Europe NaturaConnect, Interreg Euro-MED MPA4Change and LIFE PAME-Europe, looking at the capacities and data needed to make the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation a success.

Exclusive insights from DG Environment

However, that’s not all. Readers will find exclusive insights into the Nature Restoration Regulation, it’s implementation, and the role of Protected Areas through an article written by Andrea Vettori, Head of Unit at Directorate General for Environment at the European Commission. Andrea states:

The Nature Restoration Regulation provides the missing link between existing nature, water, and climate policies, allowing us to build true synergies across sectors.

The examples in the Protected Areas In-Sight prove that Protected Areas are well placed to turn this policy into practice.

Ready to get inspired? Then dive right in! The Protected Areas In-Sight is available in English, French and German:

English                  French                 German

We would like to thank all authors that have contributed to this edition of the Protected Areas In-Sight.

EUROPARC members will receive a printed copy through post in the upcoming weeks. Are you not a member, but would you also like to receive a copy? Then reach out to EUROPARC’s Communications & Operations Manager Esther Bossink. Discover previous edition of the publication here.