Project name: Strengthening cooperation to address socio-environmental challenges of EUSAIR flagship PET HAB ECO – 4PETHABECO (IPA-ADRION00367)
Client: Interreg VI-B Interreg IPA Adriatic Ionian Programme (IPA ADRION)
Project partners: University of Udine (Italy); University of Belgrade (Serbia); Oikon Ltd. (Croatia); Arcturos (Greece); Scientific Research Center of Koper (Slovenia); The Venetian Cluster (Italy); Center for Bird Protection and Research of Montenegro; Igea Mak Ltd. (North Macedonia); Protection and conservation of the natural environment of Albania; Slovenian Hunters Association
Period: 09/2024 – 09/2027
Location: Adriatic-Ionian area (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, Albania)

The 4PETHABECO project is a transnational initiative aimed at protecting and restoring terrestrial habitats and populations of large carnivores, such as bears, wolves, and lynx while enhancing ecological connectivity through the use of green infrastructure. Aligned with the ADRION program’s thematic focus on biodiversity protection and preservation, the project emphasizes the recovery and resilience of these keystone species and their habitats.
Key Objectives:
1. Collaboration and Data Harmonization:
- Strengthen cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian Region (AIR) to align monitoring techniques for large carnivores.
- Increase transparency in data collection and interpretation to reduce uncertainties in conservation efforts.
- Support measures under the Habitats Directive for the recovery of large carnivores.
2. Conflict Management and Participatory Conservation:
- Address social and cultural conflicts related to human-large carnivore coexistence.
- Develop innovative, participatory management practices for large carnivore habitats, integrating cultural and environmental considerations.
3. Local Community Engagement and Knowledge Sharing:
- Create opportunities for local communities through the establishment of a network of “Living Labs.”
- Provide knowledge bases to address coexistence challenges, restore green infrastructure, and enhance eco-corridors.
The strategic aim of 4PETHABECO is to co-develop common strategies and action plans to protect the terrestrial habitats of large carnivores and enhance their resilience. This contributes to the broader EUSAIR flagship initiative PET HAB ECO, which focuses on improving large carnivore populations’ resilience in human-dominated or fragmented ecosystems, especially in the context of climate change impacts.
Oikon’s role in the project
Oikon with its Laboratory for Monitoring and Research of Large Carnivores and Vertebrate Ecology conducts various activities to determine anthropogenic impacts on the populations of large carnivores, bears, wolves and lynxes. As part of the project, Oikon is responsible for the implementation of work package 3 “Eco-corridors and green infrastructure network”, which will include a technical report with analyses and maps of habitat connectivity for large carnivores, Manual for spatial planners when planning and building infrastructures, Analyzes and recommendations associated with threats from hunting, deforestation and habitat fragmentation. It will also work to encourage the involvement of local communities and stakeholders, such as farmers, breeders and hunters, in experimental activities to encourage coexistence and land management. We will also participate in the creation of a plan to encourage dialogue and improve information and awareness.
The 4PETHABECO project is supported by the Interreg IPA ADRION programme under the Interreg Funds (European Regional Development Fund and IPA). The project’s total budget is EUR 1,672,774.36, with Interreg funds contributing EUR 1,421,858.19.
Project website: 4pethabeco.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu


