EVENTS: 4TH PROMONT PARTNERSHIP MEETING IN POSTOJNA (12-15 JANUARY 2026)

As the new year begins, PROMONT enters in a new and pivotal phase of its implementation.

Last week, project partners gathered in Postojna, a town in southwestern Slovenia best known as a gateway to the Karst region and the Postojna Caves, to launch this next chapter. Hosted by our Slovenian partner, Regional Development Agency Green Karst (RDA GK), this meeting helped the partnership set the foundation for the year ahead and coordinate activities.

In fact, after a first year dedicated to academic research, engagement with local communities and definition of common tools, it is now time to put into practice the results obtained and activate tangible actions to contribute to the protection and regeneration of mountain biodiversity in the six pilot areas (Mt. Olympus, Mt. Baldo, Mt. Snežnik, Mt. Tomorr, Mt. Žaba, Mt, Komovi). In fact, the entire year, from March 2026 to March 2027, will be dedicated to the implementation of six Local Action Plans that have been defined and completed during the last months of 2025 with the help of local stakeholders.

On the first day of the meetings, each partner presented their plans alongside an overview of the project’s current implementation status, both overall and at local level. Moreover, another tool developed by our scientific partner, the International Hellenic University (IHU), was presented. It will assist partners in quantifying the real impact of their conservation and protection actions.

After completing the afternoon session on the activities and deliverables expected for this year, partners had the opportunity to visit the first of four cultural and natural sites that expanded the partners’ knowledge not only of the region itself but of the country. The Notranjska Museum Postojna presents the rich natural and cultural heritage of the region, with exhibitions about Postojna Caves and other karst phenomena, local wildlife and the geological history of the area. Partners visited halls containing archaeological finds, overviews of the rural life and exhibitions about historical events that shaped the region.

The second day focused on discussions around elements of the future capitalization plan, which is being developed by the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion (AIE). The aim is to expand the reach of PROMONT’s results and support the replicability of the project’s methodology by expanding the number of actors, organizations and stakeholders that are aware of which activities and goals the project is promoting. The afternoon was dedicated to the visit to other two crucial cultural and educational sites: the Park of Military History and the DINA Centre. The first one gave partners an overview of the recent military history of the country, while the second is an educational centre dedicated to the peaceful coexistence between humans and Slovenia’s three largest carnivores: bears, wolves and lynxes. It was enlightening to learn more on the species and the various methods used to mitigate conflicts, from the most practical to those more related to awareness-raising and education.

The next morning, the partnership meeting concluded in the setting of the renowned Postojna Cave, where partners visited the vast chambers, observed the limestone formations up close and spotted the unique subterranean fauna that lives in the darkness.

PROMONT partners would like to thank RDA GK for the efforts and work put into the organization of this meeting that proved to be a crucial moment that boosted the project forward and created an even more stimulating environment for the regeneration of biodiversity. The next meeting will be in Montenegro at the beginning of June and it will be hosted by Tourist Organization Andrijevica!

A new chapter has begun, keep following us to remain updated on the latest news!