On Thursday, 11 June 2026, the lead partner of the PollenAct project, the Development Centre Murska Sobota, hosted an international conference dedicated to the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and experiences in the field of pollinator conservation and the sustainable management of grassland habitats. The event brought together experts, researchers, and representatives of organisations from Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, who shared successful approaches to preserving biodiversity and improving habitats for wild pollinators.

At the conference, the lead partner presented the objectives, activities, and achievements of the PollenAct project to date. This was followed by a series of expert presentations from project partners and invited speakers, highlighting various aspects of pollinator conservation.

Participants attended presentations on the suitability of grassland habitats for wild pollinators and honeybees, experiences in pollinator conservation in Međimurje and Goričko, the management of grasslands within the Goričko Nature Park, and the role of butterflies in maintaining healthy grassland ecosystems. Special attention was also given to public engagement in bumblebee monitoring through the “First Bumblebee” citizen science initiative, which encourages broader public participation in biodiversity monitoring.

The conference once again demonstrated that cross-border cooperation is essential for effective pollinator conservation and the preservation of grassland habitats. The exchange of professional expertise, scientific findings, and practical experience provides a strong foundation for developing joint solutions that will contribute to the long-term conservation of biodiversity and the improvement of habitat conditions across the programme area.

Through events such as this, the PollenAct project strengthens cooperation among project partners and stakeholders while raising public awareness of the crucial role pollinators play in nature, food security, and sustainable development.

Photos by Razvojni center Murska Sobota