Paklenica is earmarked for an EU grant of €1,778,027.39 within €2,091,796.93 of eligible costs. Through June 2029, the project covers monitoring, UNESCO beech forests, grassland, a small water body and education—not new visitor trails.
Precise project figures are now available for Paklenica
At its 198th session on 4 September, the Croatian government approved the signing of two grant agreements. Paklenica’s share comprises €2,091,796.93 in eligible costs, of which €1,778,027.39, or 85 per cent, is intended to come from EU funds.
The project is planned to run until 30 June 2029 and implement the national park’s 2023–2032 management plan. These precise figures replace the initially rounded report of almost €1.8 million in grant funding.
Monitoring comes before visible construction projects
The focus is systematic monitoring of target species, habitats and strictly protected areas, including forest birds, bats, butterflies, mosses, lichens and fungi. Repeated surveys are needed to show whether their condition improves or additional protection is necessary.
This work is important but often invisible to visitors. A monitoring programme is not a new hiking trail or attraction, and it does not imply a general closure: the park would have to announce any visitor-management measure separately and specifically.
UNESCO beech forests will get a digital eye
Sensitive beech-forest areas are to retain natural processes and receive automated Smart Forests monitoring. Sensors are intended to track tree growth, carbon storage and climate data, while forest clearings will also be recorded.
The UNESCO areas are not to be opened to more visitor traffic. Instead, a virtual educational programme is planned to share knowledge without taking additional groups into particularly sensitive forest sections.
Grassland and a small water body are to be restored
Alongside monitoring, the project provides for restoration work on damaged grassland and a small water body. The publicly available project information does not yet fully identify the exact areas, sizes or work dates.
Identification guides, volunteer programmes and education are to accompany the measures. Anyone wishing to participate should wait for an official national-park call; the project description does not create an open invitation to work at any time.
Biokovo remains a separate funding project
The second government decision concerns Biokovo and a grant of €1.5 million. Its focus is improved protected-area management, habitat conservation, education and a volunteer programme.
The detailed Paklenica measures must not simply be transferred to Biokovo. The parks share the funding context but have separate management plans, habitats, work programmes and later evidence.
Approval, contract and implementation remain three stages
What is publicly documented is the government’s approval for signing. A contract signed by all parties and the start of individual measures had not yet been published when checked. Exact areas, procurement and interim deadlines also remain open.
The financial framework is therefore robust, but completed conservation progress is not. Only project reports, measurement series and documented restoration will later show what the funding actually achieved.
No new route has been announced for visitors
For neither Paklenica nor Biokovo does this decision announce a new entrance, car park, viewpoint or visitor trail. It also implies no current closure. Day-to-day park information remains decisive for a trip.
Natura 2000 is a conservation network, not a blanket ban on entry. Rules at a particular place follow from conservation objectives, management and current signs—not from the funding programme’s name alone.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- Na 198. sjednici Vlade usvojene nove odluke iz djelokruga Ministarstva zaštite okoliša i zelene tranzicijeCroatian Ministry of Environmental Protection · 4 September 2026rounded grant amounts, project objectives for Paklenica and Biokovo, and approval of the agreements
- 198. sjednica Vlade Republike HrvatskeGovernment of the Republic of Croatia · 4 September 2026official session context and confirmation of the approvals considered
- Plan upravljanja Nacionalnim parkom Paklenica i pridruženim zaštićenim područjima 2023.–2032.Croatian environment ministry / Paklenica National Park · 2023; checked 26 September 2026Management framework, protected areas, conservation objectives and duration of the underlying park plan
- Velika promjena u NP-u Paklenica: milijuni eura za očuvanje prirodeZadarski list, citing the national park’s expert adviser · 19 September 2026; checked 26 September 2026Precise project figures, duration and specific Paklenica measures, attributed to park information
- Commission future-proofs Natura 2000 against climate changeEuropean Commission · 25 March 2026context on Natura 2000 as a conservation network and the compatibility of human activities with conservation objectives
