On the one hand, there is a number of different types of protected areas (PAs) declared in Slovakia "on paper". On the other hand, the state of biodiversity and threats to individual species and their habitats is deteriorating yearly. The first assessment of the status of habitats and species of European importance under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive shows that only 16 % of species and 29 % of habitats are in favorable conservation status, while the remaining species and habitats are either in an unfavorable or unknown status. The SPA system is unclear, and complicated and most PAs lack zonation and management programs. Not a single Slovak national park as a whole meets the IUCN recommended requirements.
The project is aimed at initiating large-scale systemic changes in nature conservation in order to improve the protection of the environment for future generations with special biodiversity and rare natural areas. Within the project, the PP plans to actively participate in the development of the new Nature and Landscape Conservation Concept 2030 and to draft specific changes to the Nature and Landscape Conservation Act. One of the main components of the project is the analysis of the existing system of protected areas in Slovakia, the assessment of its representativeness and the elaboration of an expert proposal for the re-evaluation of the system of protected areas in Slovakia. The elaborated proposal will form the baseline for opening a discussion on changes in the protected areas system with all stakeholders and the public. The project also includes watchdog activities aimed at monitoring and evaluating the use of financial resources (EU funds, national resources) for nature conservation. Within the project, the project partner will also prepare a public awareness campaign to gain public support for systemic changes in nature conservation.