Transboundary Parks Programme

                                      The only certification scheme available for Transboundary Areas in Europe

Transboundary Parks Programme: Nature Knows No Borders

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, symbolised the triumph of unity over division. Inspired by this historic event, the EUROPARC Federation launched the Transboundary Parks Programme, embodying the spirit of cooperation across borders. This initiative invites you to join a growing network of visionaries breaking barriers to protect Europe’s most precious natural and cultural treasures.

What is the Transboundary Parks Programme?

The EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programme is a trailblasing initiative designed to foster cooperation between Protected Areas that straddle or are adjacent to international borders. This collaboration enhances biodiversity conservation, protects shared ecosystems, and promotes sustainable regional development—all while fostering peace and understanding across nations.

Since its inception in 2003, the programme has set the gold standard for transboundary cooperation through its Basic Standards for Transboundary Cooperation, launched at the 5th World Park Congress, while supported by the European Commission and UNESCO and endorsed by the IUCN. These standards, combined with an innovative verification and certification process, empower Protected Areas to achieve excellence in cross-border management.

EUROPARC Transboundary Parks Programme in a nutshell. Design by Emma Moletto.

Why Join the Transboundary Parks Programme?

Becoming a part of the Programme unlocks transformative benefits for your Protected Area:

• Exclusive Standards: Gain access to EUROPARC’s high-quality Basic Standards, designed to elevate cross-border cooperation.
• Expert Guidance: Undergo a comprehensive verification process led by expert external verifiers and supported by STEC and EUROPARC Council.
• Prestigious Certification: Earn formal recognition as a “EUROPARC Transboundary Area,” enhancing your visibility and credibility.
• Ongoing Excellence: Benefit from a five-year renewal cycle, ensuring continuous improvement and sustained success.

Certified areas become part of TransParcNet, a vibrant network dedicated to safeguarding cross-border biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural landscapes. This collaborative platform inspires global best practices in transboundary cooperation.

A Shared European Inheritance

Europe is a mosaic of natural beauty shaped by millennia of human interaction. Yet, political borders often create artificial barriers to the effective management of these landscapes. The Transboundary Parks Programme seeks to dismantle these barriers, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration even in regions where history has sown distrust.

Many of these Protected Areas lie along the former Iron Curtain, now transformed into the European Green Belt—a living symbol of nature’s resilience and a reminder that collaboration transcends political divisions.

Making History Together

With 24 European Protected Areas certified as 12 Transboundary Parks under the EUROPARC programme, the movement continues to grow. Each certification represents a commitment to shared biodiversity management, peace, and sustainability. From the lush forests of the Iron Curtain to the serene landscapes of the European Green Belt, this programme celebrates the idea that nature knows no borders.

Your Opportunity to Lead

Are you ready to elevate your Protected Area to new heights? By joining the Transboundary Parks Programme, you’re not just protecting nature—you’re building bridges between communities, cultures, and nations.

Apply now to become part of a network that unites people and places in the shared mission of preserving Europe’s natural heritage. Together, we can create a truly borderless approach to conservation.