Southwest Carpathians
Safeguarding Europe’s largest wilderness for nature and communities.
This planning grant is developing strategies to secure and restore the Southwestern Carpathians. Extending over 700,345 ha north from the gorge of the Danube River, the region is one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, home to unique geological features and species including brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx and European bison.
Southwest Carpathians, Romania
Natura 2000 Coalition Romania Foundation
October 2023 – March 2025
US$ 100,000
700,345 ha
Forests, grasslands, alpine peaks, river gorges
Why This Landscape Matters
The Southwest Carpathians are home to many iconic species, including the European brown bear.
The Southwestern Carpathians are a vast and ecologically diverse landscape that provides habitat for Europe’s most iconic large mammals and supports rural communities whose lives are deeply tied to the land. Beyond biodiversity, the region holds cultural and historical significance, from centuries-old churches to long-standing traditions of farming and grazing.
However, unsustainable use of natural resources and climate change are placing increasing pressure on ecosystems and people alike. Protected area designations have helped, but they have also brought tensions when decisions have been made without consultation. The challenge is to safeguard wilderness while respecting the lived realities of those who call the region home.
What the Project is Doing
The grant is supporting the co-development of a visionary action plan for the Southwestern Carpathians. Key activities include:
Establishing a framework for involving communities in resource management.
Collecting ecological and social data to guide restoration and sustainable development.
Undertaking targeted studies, such as research into the experiences of people living within protected areas, to understand how conservation policies affect daily life and how dialogue, education and sustainable development can strengthen coexistence.
Engaging stakeholders, including local residents, NGOs and authorities, in shaping a shared vision for the region’s future.
Looking Ahead
By combining science, local knowledge and collaborative decision-making, the project will provide a basis for long-term protection and restoration of Europe’s largest wilderness. Its outcomes will support iconic wildlife populations, build climate resilience and promote community-led approaches such as sustainable tourism and nature-based livelihoods.
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