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Work with communities

One of the priorities of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is sustainability and the long-term preservation of natural habitats.
To ensure that the work of protected area institutions has lasting, high-quality impact, it is crucial to build understanding and support among local communities. That is why one of FZS’s key focus areas is fostering cooperation between protected areas and the communities located within or adjacent to them.

Historically, the land that now forms protected areas was once part of community territory.
People were accustomed to using natural resources, and unfortunately, they do not always perceive protected areas as offering new opportunities. Instead, these territories are often viewed solely through the lens of restrictions. In fact, protected areas can bring substantial benefits to local communities, including economic ones, and support long-term nature conservation.

FZS supports the following areas of community engagement:

  • Involving stakeholders in the development of territory management plans

  • Supporting local, nature-friendly entrepreneurs

  • Facilitating the creation and active work of Coordination Councils by national parks — involving local residents, businesses, youth, and communities in joint initiatives and improved communication

  • Identifying opportunities to mobilize resources (financial, material, and other) to support community development initiatives, including assistance with grant applications and project implementation

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The Frankfurt Zoological Society supports business initiatives implemented in communities adjacent to national parks in the Carpathian region of Ukraine.

The goal of the project is not only to provide support for launching and developing nature-friendly businesses but also to create new revenue streams for the budgets of national parks where these initiatives are implemented.
Funds directed to the parks’ budgets will be used to support conservation efforts, improve tourism infrastructure, clean up waste, and conduct scientific research.

The following nature-friendly business initiatives — supported and helped to launch by the Frankfurt Zoological Society — are currently in active implementation:

Hutsulshchyna National Nature Park – Establishment of a Hutsul Horse Center.
This project aims to create a center within the park focused on the conservation and breeding of the endangered Hutsul horse, while also offering tourism services. Currently, the park keeps 11 horses. The center will promote the preservation and multiplication of the breed, along with horse-related tourist experiences.

Boikivshchyna National Nature Park – Processing of wild herbs and plants under the brand “Boikiv Dar.”

Cheremskyi National Nature Park – “Gifts of Hutsulshchyna” wild plant processing initiative.
FZS supports the organization of a continuous processing cycle for wild plants (mushrooms, berries, forest herbs) gathered in the Cheremskyi region. The goal is to produce high-quality, certified products. Harvesting is done safely and traditionally by local residents, with no negative impact on biodiversity. It is also carried out in compliance with legal quotas, including those within the boundaries of the Cheremskyi park.

Zacharovanyi Krai National Nature Park – Launch of a bicycle rental service.

Skolivski Beskydy National Nature Park – Production of herbal teas under the “Pralisy” brand.
Operating since 2015, the business now offers 12 core products, including herbal and fruit teas made from plants collected or grown within the park, as well as dried berries and spices.

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In 2024–2025, Coordination Councils were established in six national parks of the Carpathian region of Ukraine. Two more parks had formed such councils earlier, and the process of creating these advisory bodies is ongoing. The very existence of these councils not only serves as a unifying platform between national parks and local communities, but also stands as an important indicator of the park administration’s transparency and the engagement of local stakeholders in shaping the future development of the territory.

The Coordination Council may provide recommendations or proposals to the Park Director on the following matters:

    • Conservation, protection, management, and use of land, forest, and water resources;

    • Preservation of biological diversity;

    • Development of nature-friendly tourism;

    • Public relations and awareness-raising;

    • Sustainable use and conservation of natural resources;

    • Visitor safety and service provision in the Park;

    • Development, management, and use of park infrastructure;

    • Joint projects aimed at park development.

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    What do we do

    By combining international experience with local knowledge and expertise, we support the preservation of the large areas of pristine and near-pristine nature in Ukraine. We mainly do this by supporting projects in major protected areas such as national parks, biosphere reserves, and large nature reserves.

    01 Biodiversity monitoring
    01 Biodiversity monitoring
    02 Building sustainable protected areas’ infrastructure
    02 Building sustainable protected areas’ infrastructure
    03 Environmental education
    03 Environmental education
    04 Expansion and consolidation
    04 Expansion and consolidation
    05 Strategizing for better conservation: management planning
    05 Strategizing for better conservation: management planning
    06 Supporting day-to-day operations
    06 Supporting day-to-day operations
    07 Оpen parks to the world: upgrading parks’ communication
    07 Оpen parks to the world: upgrading parks’ communication
    08 Support for sustainable tourism development
    08 Support for sustainable tourism development
    09 Work with local communities
    09 Work with local communities
    010 Wetlands restoration
    010 Wetlands restoration