Uniting People through Nature in Southeast Europe: The Role (and Limits) of Nongovernmental Organizations in the Transboundary Prespa Park

Author： Christopoulou Ioli Roumeliotou Vivi

Publisher： Routledge Ltd

ISSN： 1468-3857

Source： Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, Vol.6, Iss.3, 2006-09, pp. : 335-354

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Abstract

Using the example of the Prespa Park, the first transboundary conservation cooperation initiative of its kind in South Eastern Europe, this article demonstrates that cross‐border cooperation regimes organized around environmental and development objectives can be built despite political tension. The article emphasizes the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in creating the momentum for the establishment of such initiatives, catalyzing joint efforts and bringing about concrete results, while taking particular note of the role of the donor community. The article concludes that despite their significant contribution, NGOs cannot fully substitute for other actors—especially for the responsibilities that lie with states and governments.