TransParcNet meeting 2017, Julian Alps Transboundary Ecoregion (SL and IT)
Since the launch of the Basic Standards evaluation system in 2003, over 20 European Protected Areas have proudly earned certification as Transboundary Parks in Europe through EUROPARC’s prestigious Transboundary Parks programme.
The map below highlights only those Transboundary Parks in Europe that have successfully completed the rigorous EUROPARC verification process. While many other transboundary protected areas exist across the continent, certification by EUROPARC signifies a proven commitment to collaboration and sustainable management across borders.
Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park (FI/NO/RU)
Borders divide – Nature unites!
Founded in 2008, the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park is a shining example of transboundary cooperation, with roots reaching back to the early 1990s. It unites five protected areas across Finland, Norway, and Russia, covering a total of 1,889 km².
Discover more about this unique collaboration that transcends borders here.
Oulanka-Paanajärvi Transboundary Parks (FI/RU)
A shared wilderness: Finnish-Russian unity through nature
Since the early 1990s, Oulanka (Finland) and Paanajärvi (Russia) National Parks have nurtured a strong partnership. Their joint efforts gained momentum with the 2005 Interreg project: “Oulanka-Paanajärvi – Wilderness, Experiences, and Well-being”.
Read more about this Finnish-Russian cross-border collaboration here.
Maas-Schwalm-Nette Nature Park (NL/DE)
Three rivers, two countries, one shared vision
In this German-Dutch Nature Park, spanning 800 km², rivers, forests, and heathlands intertwine seamlessly. The park’s team works shoulder-to-shoulder daily to preserve this exceptional landscape, a testament to harmonious transboundary management.
Explore the wonders of Maas-Schwalm-Nette here.
Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland Transboundary Parks (DE/CZ)
One landscape, two nations, a shared heritage
The seeds of conservation were sown in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until post-WWII that Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland truly united across borders. A fresh wave of cooperation followed the political changes of the 1990s.
Learn more about this historic German-Czech conservation effort here.
Krkonoše and Karkonosze National Parks (CZ/PO)
Protecting Europe’s arctic-alpine jewel
Home to unique arcto-alpine tundra, Krkonoše and Karkonosze National Parks were created in 1959 (Poland) and 1963 (Czechoslovakia). Despite Cold War-era border restrictions, meaningful cooperation began in 1990, leading to their EUROPARC certification as a joint transboundary park in 2004.
Explore how shared conservation has safeguarded this fragile mountain ecosystem here.
Šumava and Bavarian Forest National Park (CZ/DE)
Where nature reigns—Europe’s largest untouched forest
Covering over 922 km², Šumava and Bavarian Forest form Central Europe’s most expansive wilderness, where forests and wetlands thrive without human intervention. Guided by the philosophy “let nature be nature”, this partnership champions biodiversity and ecological restoration.
Discover the wonders of this unparalleled forest haven here.
Podyjí-Thayatal Transboundary Parks (CZ/AU)
A bridge over troubled history
Once divided by the Iron Curtain, the picturesque Dyje/Thayatal river valley now unites Moravia and Lower Austria. Once dotted with mills and summer retreats, the valley’s vibrant legacy was restored after decades of separation.
Step into the story of renewed Czech-Austrian collaboration here.
Neusiedler See-Seewinkel & Fertö-Hanság (AU/HU)
A shared treasure of nature and culture
Straddling the border of Austria and Hungary, this transboundary park blends Alpine, Pannonian, and Mediterranean influences into a rich tapestry of life. The unique ecosystem around Lake Neusiedl brims with fascinating species, forming a critical refuge for wildlife.
Discover the secrets of this Austrian-Hungarian natural marvel here.
Julian Alps Transboundary Ecoregion (IT/SI)
The green heart of Europe, where borders disappear
A flourishing partnership between Italy’s Prealpi Giulie and Slovenia’s Triglav National Park began in 1996 and blossomed with EU support. By 2009, the dream of a unified transboundary ecoregion had become reality, inspiring conservation across this alpine paradise.
Learn more about the Italian-Slovenian partnership in the Julian Alps here.
Binntal Veglia Devero Transboundary Nature Park (IT/CH)
Guardians of alpine wonders
In the rugged Lepontine Alps, Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero (Italy) unite with Switzerland’s Landschaftspark Binntal to protect ancient glaciers, alpine pastures, and millennia-old traditions. Though official collaboration began in 2013, human connections here stretch back 3,000 years.
Unearth the geological and cultural treasures of the Alps here.
Internationaler Naturpark Bourtanger Moor – Veenland (DE/NL)
From division to unity: preserving Europe’s largest raised bog
Once spanning Germany and the Netherlands, much of this vast bog was lost by the 20th century. Today, cross-border efforts aim to restore its unique habitat, teeming with birdlife, purple heather, and ancient forests.
Discover how nature transcends borders in this boggy wonderland here.
Háldi Transboundary Area (FI/NO)
An untamed Arctic wilderness
The Háldi Transboundary Area links Finland’s Käsivarsi Wilderness with Norway’s Reisa National Park and Ráisduottarháldi Landscape. Formalised in 2020, this pristine Arctic realm offers profound natural and cultural significance.
Venture into the heart of the wild Háldi here.
European Nature Park of Scarpe Escaut Plains
A borderland shaped by rivers
Where the Scarpe and Escaut rivers flow, nature and history intertwine. This vibrant park, shared by France and Belgium, balances rural charm with urban pressures. It spans 62 municipalities and is home to over 290,000 people amid meadows, wetlands, and mining heritage.
Explore the crossroads of nature and history in Scarpe-Escaut here.
Your Transboundary Area
Hey there! Want to join Transboundary Parks in Europe? Learn how to become part of this extraordinary TransParcNet network here!