From 28 to 30 September 2026, DANUBEPARKS members and LIFE WILDisland project partners gathered in Apatin, Serbia, for three days of meetings, celebrations and field activities, hosted by Vojvodinašume in the Special Nature Reserve Gornje Podunavlje. The programme brought together the 25th anniversary of the Special Nature Reserve Gornje Podunavlje, the 11th DANUBEPARKS General Assembly, the annual LIFE WILDisland partner meeting, and a joint field visit to ongoing restoration works, offering valuable opportunities to celebrate achievements, exchange experience and strengthen cooperation along the Danube.
The programme began on 28 September with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Special Nature Reserve Gornje Podunavlje, protecting almost 20,000 hectares of valuable floodplain forests and wetlands along the Danube. During the ceremony, DANUBEPARKS received a certificate of appreciation recognising the network's contribution to mobilising funding and support for nature conservation and restoration in the Reserve.
Later that day, the 11th DANUBEPARKS General Assembly brought together representatives of protected areas from across the Danube River Basin. Members reviewed and approved the Activity and Financial Reports for 2025, including the progress of major joint projects as LIFE Danube Free Sky, LIFE WILDisland, DANUBE4all, DANUBEdragonCONSERVATION, Lost "Paradeis, EURENI and Persina4Danube. Discussions also addressed ongoing restoration and conservation activities, international cooperation, future funding opportunities and the network's priorities for the coming years. The Assembly approved the Activity Plan and Budget Plan for 2027 and welcomed the organisation representing Kraljevac Special Nature Reserve, Serbia, as a new Observer.
A key outcome was the election of the Management Board for 2026-2029. Daniela Mihova (Persina Nature Park Directorate, Bulgaria) and Gyula Kiss (Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate, Hungary) joined the Board as new members, succeeding Stela Bozhinova and Anna Pfahler. DANUBEPARKS expressed its sincere appreciation to both outgoing members for their years of dedication and valuable contributions to the network.
The newly elected Board will continue under the presidency of Vlatko Rožac, with Radmila Šakić Peurača, Liliana Ivancenco and Daniela Mihova serving as Vice-Presidents, Tomáš Kušík as Secretary and Gyula Kiss as Treasurer.
The General Assembly once again highlighted the importance of the DANUBEPARKS network in connecting protected areas, developing joint projects and advancing cross-border conservation. The Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, coordinated by DANUBEPARKS, remains an important part of this cooperation, strengthening partnerships and supporting practical wetland conservation and restoration across the Danube region.
On 29 September, representatives of 11 of the 14 LIFE WILDisland project partners gathered for their annual meeting to review restoration progress, discuss remaining activities and milestones, and coordinate the next steps towards completing the project.
The programme concluded on 30 September with a field visit to ongoing LIFE WILDisland restoration works in Gornje Podunavlje. Vojvodinašume presented measures to restore a former watercourse and re-establish the natural separation of a Danube island, complemented by the restoration of native floodplain forests.
Throughout the three-day programme, participants had the opportunity to explore a travelling exhibition presenting the natural values of Gornje Podunavlje, displayed in the main event hall. The exhibition was supported by the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, through the project “Establishing the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative” (EURENI_24_A_038), implemented by DANUBEPARKS with funding from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) under the European Environmental Initiative (EURENI). The exhibition highlighted the Initiative's role in supporting awareness-raising, cooperation and the conservation of valuable wetlands across the Danube region.
The three-day gathering demonstrated how long-standing partnerships within DANUBEPARKS, supported by joint projects and regional initiatives, translate shared conservation objectives into concrete action along the Danube.
Our sincere thanks go to Vojvodinašume and the Gornje Podunavlje team for their warm hospitality, excellent organisation and continued commitment to protecting and restoring the Danube's natural heritage.