THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATURA 2000 PROGRAMME: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SLOVENIA AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The implementation of Natura 2000 in the countries of Southeast Europe came at the time of negotiations for entry into the European Union. Representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations were involved in the implementation process. The roles of different actors in the implementation process of Natura 2000 were investigated across Europe. Such research is very important for the further process of managing Natura 2000. The role of the European Union in the implementation of Natura 2000 in Slovenia and BiH and their differences have not yet been investigated. The aim of the research is to study the role of the European Union in the territory of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to compare it between the two countries, and to find similarities and differences between other European Union countries. For this purpose, scientific literature is used to describe the role of the European Union in the implementation of Natura 2000 throughout the European Union, as well as interviews with participants in the implementation of Natura 2000 in both countries. The discussion mentions the role of the EU in the implementation process of Natura 2000, such as financing the implementation of international legislation into national legislation and their contribution, financing the strengthening of institutions for nature protection, the inclusion of all actors or interested parties in the national system of nature protection. The conclusions state the EU’s positive contributions in both countries, such as the strengthening of national legislation, the profession, and institutions. The EU did not contribute to the development of the nongovernmental sector in the entire territory of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.