Fifth meeting of the local stakeholder platform in Slovenia

The fifth meeting of the local stakeholder platform took place at the DINA Pivka Centre on 21 October 2025. The meeting was opened by Robert Smrdelj, mayor of the municipality of Pivka, who underlined the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in developing joint solutions for sustainable coexistence between people and large carnivores.

The Slovenian Forest Service presented an overview of 15 years of experience in implementing damage prevention measures aimed at reducing conflicts between large carnivores, livestock breeders, and beekeepers. The analysis showed that high electric fencing (at least 145 cm) remains one of the most effective tools, significantly reducing the number of livestock depredation incidents.
A representative of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Nova Gorica outlined the implementation of preventive measures in the Municipality of Pivka and discussed the participation of farms in agri-environment-climate schemes (AECS). Participation, however, remains limited — mainly due to stringent eligibility criteria and administrative challenges.

During the discussion, participants raised several questions about the effectiveness of protective measures, the compensation system, and the future of farming in areas with the presence of large carnivores. They noted that large carnivores influence the use of space and landscape structure, but that the decline in livestock farming is also linked to a lack of generational renewal and decreasing interest among young people to continue farming, particularly sheep breeding.
Participants agreed that successful coexistence requires a holistic approach to land management, balancing nature conservation goals with the socio-economic realities of rural life.

The meeting concluded with a workshop on the draft informational poster “Wolf Behaviour – How to Act in Wolf Areas”, where participants contributed valuable suggestions to make the messages clearer and more practical for both local residents and visitors to nature areas.

Regular stakeholder meetings and consultations play a vital role in ensuring that the voice of local communities is heard. Through this process, the Municipality of Pivka and its partners in the LIFE WILD WOLF project aim to strengthen cooperation, knowledge exchange, and mutual understanding between local residents and expert institutions – all in support of a balanced and sustainable coexistence between people and large carnivores.