Is there a need and compelling ecological reason for transboundary conservation approach?

What are the opportunities that could enhance a transboundary conservation process and/or be generated by transboundary conservation?

Are there any risks that might hold back the process?

Are the stakeholders ready and willing to support and engage in a transboundary conservation initiative?

Which elements could potentially strengthen the already ongoing transboundary conservation process?

These are some of the main questions the Diagnostic tool for transboundary conservation planners responds to, aiming to support the decision-making process leading to the institutionalization of transboundary conservation. More specifically, the diagnostic tool:

1)     Enables the planners and facilitators to assess and evaluate feasibility for efficient design and implementation of a transboundary conservation initiative process

2)     Enables the improvement of implementation of ongoing transboundary conservation initiatives

3)     Strengthens the capacity of stakeholders in the potential or ongoing initiative on issues that are critical for the establishment and implementation of a transboundary conservation initiative

4)     Offers the possibility of interactive participatory approach at transboundary or national levels

5)     Enables rapid self-assessment of the feasibility for transboundary conservation

The diagnostic tool, authored by Maja Vasilijević, in consultation with Boris Erg and IUCN WCPA Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group, was initially published in 2012 in IUCN’s publication Initiating effective transboundary conservation: A practitioner’s guideline based on the experience from the Dinaric Arc, supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. It was also prepared as technically upgraded electronic version. In 2020, the authors, including Kevan Zunckel as the reviewer, developed Version 2.0, building it on the latest understanding of transboundary conservation, guidance on the transboundary conservation process and feedback from practice. Version 2.0 was supported by WWF and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

There are different ways to implement the tool. It can be completed during participatory interactive workshop(s) or by self-assessment. Each way results with automatically generated report that provides consolidated guidance on the future process. In order to implement the diagnostic tool, please follow the link below. Any comments can be sent to Maja Vasilijević at: maja.vasilijevic1@gmail.com.

Version 2.0