Success in protecting Poloniny National Park: The park will not be degraded to nature park. The work towards increasing the strict protection zone from 9% to 46% continues.
The territory of Slovakia is almost entirely in the Carpathians, which makes it a unique country with mountainous character and nature, and rich traditions.
Slovakia’s diverse landscapes range from alpine habitats in the High Tatras to the large meadows on the gentle slopes in Poloniny National Park to the lowlands of the Danube river. Three of the country’s nine national parks are designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and one is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 23% of the territory is protected under Natura 2000 and other forms of protected areas.
Slovakia has an ambitious environmental strategy that aims to restore 15% of degraded ecosystems and implement strict protection on 75% of the territory of national parks by 2030.
Our focus areas in Slovakia
- Strengthening national parks and zonation within protected areas; supporting their expansion
- Improved protection of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe”
- Work with communities and eco-tourism development
Our projects in Slovakia
Milestones
2025
2025
The first two issues of the Poloniny newspaper are published. It reports on the natural and cultural value of the national park and allows us to reach a new audience.
2025
We have published and distributed a brochure on the ecosystem services of the Eastern Carpathians Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.
2024
Shift of the campaign towards zoning the Poloniny National Park: Instead of demanding a stricter protection zone, we must fight to maintain the current size and not see the conservation status worsen.
2022
Launch of e-shop for Slovak regional products.
2022
Nature tourism in Poloniny is developed further with new excursions, refurbished bike trails of a total length of 130 km and hiking trails of 40 km in total.
2021
Campaign for a change in nature protection in Slovakia was launched and succeeded in changing the nature protection act.
2020
First conservation enterprise launched with support from FZS
2020
New nature reserves established to improve the conservation status of UNESCO world heritage site in Poloniny National Park and first conservation enterprise launched with support from FZS.
2016
Start of FZS’s work in Slovakia
1997
Establishment of Poloniny National Park