Hrvatski
Zagreb, 26 April – The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nature for Water Facility (N4W), led by The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Watersheds Strategy, and Croatian Forests Ltd (Hrvatske šume d.o.o.) marks the official launch of a new effort to protect Croatia’s water resources and strengthen the resilience of its most valuable natural landscapes.
The collaboration will focus on the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park and the Spačva Forest, two ecosystems that play a critical role in regulating water, supporting biodiversity and sustaining local economies. As climate change brings more frequent floods and droughts, these landscapes are increasingly under pressure, highlighting the need for solutions that can protect both nature and people.
Over the next year, experts and local partners will work together to assess how nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands, improving forest and soil health and reconnecting rivers with their natural floodplains, can help manage water more effectively. By working with natural processes, these approaches can reduce flood risks, improve water availability during dry periods and support long-term climate resilience.
The work will focus on delivering a detailed feasibility assessment, combining scientific modelling with local knowledge to identify the most effective and economically viable solutions. The results will provide Croatian institutions with practical guidance on where to act, what measures to prioritise and how to mobilise funding for implementation.
“The signing of this MoU marks an important step in strengthening the integration of nature-based solutions into forest and water management in Croatia. Through this cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and the Nature for Water initiative, Croatian Forests Ltd will contribute to the development of a comprehensive feasibility assessment focused on improving the hydrological resilience of the Spačva forest ecosystem and the wider Sava basin. This collaboration will support evidence-based decision-making and help identify sustainable, long-term solutions that balance water management, biodiversity conservation, and the needs of the forestry sector,” said Joško Radanović, President of the Management Board, Croatian Forests Ltd.
“This collaboration marks an important step in bringing proven, nature-based solutions to new landscapes in Europe. Building on our experience with Nature for Water in England and around the globe, we have seen how working with nature can deliver real benefits for water security, communities and ecosystems. We are excited to support Croatian partners in applying these approaches to protect some of the country’s most valuable forests and wetlands for the long-term, “said Irma Popović Dujmović, Freshwater Program Director – Croatia, The Nature Conservancy
The collaboration is designed as a hands-on, joint effort. Through close coordination, field visits and continuous knowledge exchange, all stakeholders will ensure that the proposed solutions are grounded in real conditions and aligned with national priorities.
By the end of the project (December 2026), the findings will support informed decision-making and help unlock future investments in nature-based solutions, positioning Croatia at the forefront of sustainable water management in Europe.
Nature for Water (N4W)
Nature for Water is a technical assistance facility housed within The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Watersheds strategy that supports local partners to develop and implement Nature-based Solutions at the watershed scale for programs that are seeking to improve water security and deliver co-benefits for people, biodiversity and climate. With an international team of experts in science, finance and governance, Nature for Water works alongside partners to build strong, evidence-based pathways from early-stage exploration through to implementations. Some impactful initiatives that the Facility has supported include the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region NPC in South Africa, the Norfolk Water Strategy Program by Water Resources East in England, and the River Yala Water Fund supported by Women in Water & Natural Resources Conservation Kenya. These projects are designed to restore ecosystems, enhance water security, and mobilize long-term funding.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners.
Featured image: Spačva (Photo: Hrvatske šume)