The PollenAct project contributes to raising awareness of the importance and value of wild pollinators for biodiversity conservation and introduces joint actions to protect and manage their habitats (in the cross-border area) more effectively. Wild pollinators are indispensable for maintaining a healthy ecosystem; however, their numbers and variety have rapidly declined over the last decades, thus we need guidelines on how to limit the loss of natural diversity and mitigate the decline of their numbers in the programme area, moreover, we must implement innovative approaches to ensure awareness raising among target groups regarding the importance of wild pollinators.

The number and species of wild pollinators in the Slovenia-Hungary border area are declining significantly, which is mainly caused by the destruction of their habitats due to extensive agriculture activities, forestry, urbanisation and unsuitable water management. Deforestation, drainage and ploughing of meadows are the main culprits in causing existential threat to some species and the extinction of others. While the programme area is rich in natural heritage and landscape diversity, it is also characterised by environmental pollution, low levels of risk prevention, lack of research and innovation, negative attitudes towards nature and climate, lack of networking between local, regional and cross-border governance bodies, and because biodiversity is still not a well-known concept, the project aims to shed light on the issues steaming from poor biodiversity preservation. Such problems will be tackled through cross-border knowledge transfer and implementation of pilot actions for conservation of natural habitats of wild pollinators (implemented on both sides of the border), thus ensuring better ecological connectivity and wider stakeholder involvement, especially at the local cross-border level.

The main common objective represents the introduction of nature conservation and awareness raising measures ensuring the conservation of wild pollinators and their natural habitats in the cross-border area. This will be achieved by creating joint theoretical starting-points, state-of-the art analysis and a common strategy for sustainable management of wild pollinators and biodiversity conservation among others. Furthermore, with natural habitats creation for wild pollinators and raising awareness help mitigate their decline, we are strengthening the natural environment and skills of target groups of the cross-border area. Pilot actions will be implemented in Lentiszombathely, where a self-sustaining demonstration spot with a mix of native plants will be set up (sustaining the wild pollinator community). At Rakičan mansion an already existing biodiversity learning path from mansion Rakičan to the Biotechnical School will be revitalised, while a new green location in the form of a multi-sensory garden will be introduced. The Biotechnical School Rakičan is revitalising and expanding their existing herb garden (part of the connective learning path) into a habitat for wild pollinators, where native, wild pollinator-friendly plants will be planted as part of intercropping. All 3 developed sites are not only visibly improving & enriching natural habitats & biodiversity of the programme area, but are also acting as demonstration points for raising awareness for biodiversity conservation, while encouraging stakeholders, local communities, younger generations, etc., to recognise its important. Nature-based demonstration sites, with their integrated learning content, green infrastructure elements and conservation principles, round up the joint cross-border wild pollinator learning trail in an integral way. The intention of long-term cooperation between organisations for the purpose of biodiversity conservation and wild pollinators protection is insured with a strategic document regarding long-term cooperation after the official project end (signed by all project partners).

The educational approach and content development tailored to different target groups (upgrade of an existing app, thematic workshops, short educational film, public events, etc.) and awareness-raising activities to influence changes in the awareness of individuals, businesses, communities, educational institutions and other public institutions (joint pollinator friendly planting initiatives Pomurje, Podravje, Vas and Zala) are also far from negligible. Because insufficient communication regarding the role & importance of biodiversity stands in the way of successful awareness raising, our project approach is innovative precisely in the way it targets the audience, be it the local or professional community. The project, with its joint strategy development and implementation of nature-based pilot actions (multifunctional gardens), contributes to a better ecological state and connectivity of the cross-border area, while awareness raising measures point to a path towards sustainable way of life.

Project end date:

30.6.2027