Purpose: To ensure clear and effective communication among project partners and with the wider public, a project communication strategy will be developed. The main objective of the strategic communication plan is to regularly inform all target groups about the project's progress and results. This task will also include the development of a visual identity for the project.
Status: Task is completed
To ensure a recognisable and consistent presentation of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we developed a comprehensive visual identity, which is used across all project activities and communication materials. Promotional materials, including business cards and stickers for official vehicles, were also produced to increase the project's visibility in the field.
An important project milestone was the development and adoption of the Communication Strategy, which defines the target groups, key messages, communication channels and approaches to stakeholder involvement in project activities. The strategy ensures coordinated communication among all project partners and supports the dissemination of project results to both professional audiences and the general public.
All project partners actively contributed to the development of the communication strategy and the project's visual identity, establishing a unified approach to public communication and the long-term dissemination of project results.
Results:
Project LIFE TRŠCA logo:
Purpose: We will get in contact with European organizations implementing similar LIFE projects and visit their protected areas. Past project experiences of other organizations will help us execute our project activities more effectively. Furthermore, cooperation and exchange of information based on good practices open new opportunities for further international cooperation in the field of nature conservation and ensuring favourable conditions for endangered species. To disseminate our project results, active participation in conferences or other similar events is foreseen in the scope of this task as well.
Status: Task is in progress
The LIFE TRŠCA project actively cooperates with Slovenian and international organisations working in nature conservation, wetland management, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. By August 2026, we had participated in 19 professional meetings, conferences and networking events, where we presented project activities and exchanged experience with other LIFE projects, research institutions and protected area managers.
The project was also presented at numerous professional events in Slovenia and abroad, including a meeting of LIFE projects in Belgium, the Grasslands and Biodiversity conference, the AGRA agricultural fair and international professional meetings dedicated to wetland conservation and the development of agri-environmental measures.
Through participation in international networks, professional exchanges and training activities, we strengthen the knowledge and expertise of project partners and ensure that the experience and results of the LIFE TRŠCA project are shared with other areas and projects in Slovenia and abroad.
Results:
In May 2024, our project team visited the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), an organisation working in the Greek part of Lake Prespa. SPP has been running the LIFE Prespa Waterbirds project (LIFE15 NAT/GR/000936) from 2016 to 2021, and before that they have been running the following LIFE projects: LIFE Prespa Fish & Fisheries, LIFE Mikri Prespa, LIFE Stymfalia and LIFE JunEx. During our visit we were introduced to their current activities, past projects and the machinery they use for their work.
In May 2025, the project team visited the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), Bulgaria's leading nature conservation organization and national partner of BirdLife International. It has extensive experience in implementing European LIFE projects, particularly in the field of endangered species protection, habitat management, and reducing the negative impact of infrastructure on birds. The purpose of our visit was to exchange information and experiences, particularly on the habitat requirements of the project's target species – mainly the ferruginous duck, but also the red-necked grebe. We visited several different locations in Bulgaria where both species successfully nest.
Purpose: We will produce two short presentation films presenting project LIFE TRŠCA, since video materials are one of the key tools used in online communication.
Status: Task is in progress
As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, two short promotional films are being produced to showcase the natural values of Lake Cerknica, project activities and cooperation with local stakeholders. Following a public procurement procedure, Aleš Žemlja was selected to produce the films.
To date, extensive filming has taken place in the project area, including interviews with project partners and stakeholders, as well as footage of habitats, nature conservation measures and field activities.
The first film will present the exceptional natural heritage of Lake Cerknica, its habitats and biodiversity, highlighting the importance of wetland conservation. The second film will focus on cooperation between the LIFE TRŠCA project and local stakeholders, particularly farmers, fishers and hunters, who play an important role in the conservation and management of the area.
The films will make an important contribution to public awareness-raising, the presentation of project results and the promotion of joint efforts to conserve nature at Lake Cerknica.
Results:
Purpose: We will publish a project website, which will be an upgrade of the already existing page by NRP. We will update it regularly with news, activities, and results of the project. The online presence of the project will also be ensured by having a presence on various platforms of social media. Project Facebook presence will be achieved through the NRP Facebook page since it already has a wide reach and a large audience.
Status: Task is in progress
During the first months of the project, a dedicated LIFE TRŠCA project webpage was established on the Notranjska Park website. It serves as the central platform for publishing information about project activities, achievements and results. The webpage follows the project's visual identity and is regularly updated with current content.
Weekly news items and articles about the project are published on the webpage, with all project partners actively contributing to the preparation of content.
Social media also plays an important role in communication activities. Project partners regularly publish news, interesting facts and project results, while numerous other organisations and stakeholders also contribute to disseminating information.
Communication activities have significantly increased the visibility of the LIFE TRŠCA project, raised public awareness of the importance of wetland conservation and encouraged the involvement of different target groups in project activities. The webpage and social media therefore serve as key tools for disseminating project results and sharing good practices beyond the project partnership.
Results:
Dedicated project pages on Beneficiaries´ websites:
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food
DOPPS – Birdlife Slovenia
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation
University of Ljubljana - Biotechnical Faculty
Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Purpose: To ensure project results and various activities are known to the public, we will maintain regular communication with journalists and media houses. We will cooperate with local, as well as national media outlets. All media communication will be carried out in accordance with the communication plan prepared under task T.8.1.
Status: Task is in progress
The LIFE TRŠCA project is regularly featured in local, regional and national media, making an important contribution to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving wetlands and the natural values of Lake Cerknica.
Cooperation with local media has been particularly successful. To date, 30 articles about the project have been published in the magazine Slivniški pogledi. In addition, project activities and results have been regularly presented on Radio 94, which has broadcast as many as 35 features and interviews. The project has also been featured in the regional newspaper Notranjsko-primorske novice.
The project has also attracted considerable media attention at the national level. Numerous Slovenian media outlets have reported on it, including RTV Slovenija, Val 202, Dnevnik, Kmečki glas and Radio Ognjišče. Project-related content has also been regularly published in online news outlets, professional newsletters and publications focusing on nature conservation and the LIFE programme.
Project partners have also presented the results to professional and scientific audiences. Project-related contributions have been published in specialist publications covering nature conservation and ornithology, including Digitalne vezi, Varstvo narave, Journal of Hydrology and Ecological Indicators.
Through a combination of media coverage, professional contributions and scientific publications, the LIFE TRŠCA project successfully reaches a broad range of stakeholders, from local residents and land managers to decision-makers, nature conservation professionals and researchers.
Results:
Purpose: We will organise art exhibitions and cinema events to reach out, especially to young people who have moved to the Notranjska Park area or who are not yet closely connected to lakeside life. Such events aim to arouse their interest in the project activities and to inform them about the project's contents and nature protection.
Status: Task is in progress
As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we organised a range of cultural and awareness-raising events to bring nature conservation topics closer to local residents and encourage interest in conserving Lake Cerknica and its habitats.
In 2024, 2025 and 2026, we organised three photography exhibitions featuring photographs by local photographers. The exhibitions introduced visitors to the rich natural heritage, biodiversity and distinctive landscape of Lake Cerknica, while highlighting the importance of wetland conservation.
We also organised two “Cinema under the Stars” events, bringing together film, art and discussions on environmental issues. Alongside the film screenings, exhibitions of works created as part of the project's creative competitions were presented. Visitors could also take part in discussions on nature conservation, sustainable land management and climate challenges.
By combining photography, film, art and nature conservation, we reached a wider audience and strengthened the visibility of the LIFE TRŠCA project. These events offer new approaches to raising awareness and successfully engage visitors who are less likely to participate in traditional nature conservation activities.
Results:
Photo Exhibition "LIFE TRŠCA" 2024
Open-air cinema 2024
Photo Exhibition "Zrcalo narave: Divji svet živali Cerkniškega jezera" 2025
Open-air cinema 2025
Photo Exhibition "Podobe Cerkniškega jezera: Kjer voda piše zgodbe" 2025
Purpose: To establish a model of co-management of the park by locals by incorporating their opinions into our work, we will, together with key Agrarian societies connected to the project area, organize social meetings with the locals. Six meetings will be organized covering all villages around the Lake Cerknica.
Status: Task in progress
As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we are organising a series of meetings with local communities living around Lake Cerknica. The meetings are organised in cooperation with agrarian communities, which are important stakeholders in nature conservation and the sustainable management of the area. A total of six meetings are planned in villages around the lake.
The purpose of these meetings is to present project activities, results and planned nature conservation measures, while also listening to the opinions, suggestions and experiences of local residents. Particular emphasis is placed on open dialogue about land management, agricultural land use and the conservation of the natural values of Lake Cerknica.
The first meeting took place in Lipsenj and was organised in cooperation with the LIFE FOR SEEDS and LIFE OrnamentalIAS projects. In addition to presentations, practical nature conservation activities were carried out, including a clean-up campaign and the removal of invasive alien plant species.
The meetings will help strengthen cooperation between the project and local communities and support the joint development of solutions for the long-term conservation of nature and sustainable development of the Lake Cerknica area.
Results:
Purpose: We will generate a virtual reality experience of the Red-necked Grebe in its natural habitat to allow visitors of the park to see the project's target species. The VR experience will be placed in our Visitor center Lake Cerknica at the entrance of Lake Cerknica.
Status: Task in progress
We prepared a detailed content concept for a virtual reality (VR) experience, defining the key characteristics of the species, its habitat requirements, conservation challenges and the objectives of the LIFE TRŠCA project. Particular attention was paid to presenting the ideal breeding habitat so that visitors can better understand the importance of preserving reedbeds, open water areas and undisturbed zones for successful bird breeding.
To prepare for this activity, we also held initial discussions with potential contractors and explored various technical options for its implementation. The experience gained will serve as a basis for preparing the tender documentation and further developing the content.
The activity is currently in the preparatory phase, as priority was given to other communication and awareness-raising activities during the preceding period. Nevertheless, the timetable remains unchanged, and the work completed so far provides a solid foundation for the successful development and installation of the VR experience at the Visitor Center Lake Cerknica in the next phases of the project.
Results:
Purpose: For the promotion of project visibility and the work of the project’s key stakeholders, we will produce different promotional materials and other project small give-away materials. Promotional material will be used to support local events and raffles.
Status: Task is in progress
To increase the visibility of the LIFE TRŠCA project and ensure effective communication with the local community, visitors and other stakeholders, we prepared a wide range of promotional materials designed in accordance with the project's visual identity.
By the end of the reporting period, more than 3,400 promotional items had been produced, exceeding the project's original target. These included T-shirts, multifunctional neck gaiters, notebooks, bookmarks, colouring books and coloured pencils, primarily intended for children participating in educational and awareness-raising activities. A promotional display stand (roll-up banner) was also produced for presenting the project at events, workshops and exhibitions.
The promotional materials are used at project events, workshops, training sessions, volunteer activities and other events. They help disseminate information about the project, its objectives and the importance of conserving wetlands at Lake Cerknica.
As this form of communication has proven highly effective, additional promotional materials will be produced during the remainder of the project to support public awareness-raising and maintain the visibility of the LIFE TRŠCA project until its completion.
Results:
Purpose: We believe that a key demographic we need to educate and inform about our activities is young children. We will therefore create a puppet show based on the legend of the creation of Lake Cerknica.
Status: Task is in progress
In collaboration with the production company Kanal 13, we created an original puppet theatre performance that presents one of the most well-known legends from our very special piece of the world – the legend of the creation of Lake Cerknica – in a playful and interactive way.
The performance is intended for children aged 5 to 9 and lasts approximately 35 minutes. At the heart of the story are two travellers, explorers and storytellers, each bringing their own version of how the lake came to be. One believes witches were responsible, while the other insists it was sheep. Their stories initially clash and intertwine through playful rivalry, but with the help of the audience, puppets and simple musical instruments, they eventually create a brand-new story together about who really created Lake Cerknica.
The performance encourages children's imagination, cooperation and active participation, while introducing them to the natural and cultural heritage of the Cerknica Polje in an engaging and entertaining way.
The performance is presented by Miha Razdrih and Tines Špik, who also wrote the script and are responsible for the direction and dramaturgy. The set design, costumes and puppets were created by Lorena Bukovec.
Results:
Performances:
Purpose: Young people are the future biologists and ecologists who will someday take care of our environment, which is why it is so important to educate them now. We will perform various pedagogical activities: Creative competitions, Nature field trips for local Primary schools, and Youth nature conservation camps.
Purpose: NRP, within the framework of the project, will organize four creative contests for children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. The contests will take place in three age categories: preschool children and 1st triad (visual arts contest), 2nd triad (literary contest), 3rd triad and high school students (photographic contest). The winning works will be published online and exhibited in a local gallery.
Status: Task in progress
To encourage interest in wetlands, waterbirds and nature conservation, we organised creative competitions every year as part of the LIFE TRŠCA project for kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. Through artistic, literary and photographic activities, young people were encouraged to explore the natural environment of Lake Cerknica and learn about its plant and animal species.
In the 2023/2024 school year, the competition “Pictures and Stories from the Reedbeds” was held, followed by “If I Were a Bird” in 2024/2025 and “A Frog’s Day in the Reedbed” in 2025/2026. Interest in the competitions grew each year, and a total of 497 artistic, literary and photographic entries were received.
Selected works were displayed at exhibitions held as part of the Cinema under the Stars events, where they could be viewed by visitors and the wider public. In this way, the young participants made an important contribution to raising awareness of the importance of conserving wetlands, reedbeds and the species that depend on them.
The creative competitions proved to be an excellent way to bring together nature conservation, art and education, making a significant contribution to involving young people in LIFE TRŠCA project activities.
Results:
School year 2025/2026: Creative competition "Žabji dan v tršci"
School year 2024/2025: Creative competition "Če bi bil ptica"
School year 2023/2024: Creative competition "Slike in zgodbe iz tršce"
Purpose: NRP, within the framework of the project, will organize at least 60 free natural science field trips for Primary school students in the park area. For each of the three triads of the nine-year primary school, NRP will prepare teaching sheets. Each trip will be pedagogically supported by the use of didactic aids.
Status: Task in progress
One of the key educational activities of the LIFE TRŠCA project is the organisation of nature study days for primary school pupils, during which they learn about wetlands, waterbirds and the natural processes characteristic of Lake Cerknica. The programmes are tailored to different age groups and linked to the curriculum content of primary education.
During the 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 school years, we organised a total of 54 nature study days, attended by 1,431 pupils from various primary schools. This means that we have already achieved 90% of the project target.
To support these educational activities, we revised and updated worksheets for all three educational stages of primary school and maintained regular cooperation with local schools and kindergartens. Through nature observation, fieldwork and practical activities, pupils learned about the importance of wetlands, biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species.
Nature study days have proven to be a very popular form of outdoor learning among both teachers and pupils, and we will therefore continue to organise them in the future. The educational materials and programmes developed will remain in use after the project ends, continuing to raise young people's awareness of the importance of conserving Lake Cerknica and its habitats.
Results:
Purpose: NRP will within the project organize three thematic natural science camps, which will cover habitat types and birds related to the project: a conservation camp for pupils in grades 1–3, an ecological research camp for pupils in grades 6–9, and a student research camp.
Status: Task in progress
As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we organised nature conservation camps to provide young people with direct experience of nature and help them discover the exceptional biodiversity of Lake Cerknica and the wider Notranjska region.
In August 2024, we held a five-day nature conservation camp for children in the first three years of primary school, attended by 21 children. Through exploring Lake Cerknica, Rakov Škocjan, Menišija and Križna Cave, participants learned about natural processes, plant and animal species, and the importance of nature conservation.
In July 2026, in cooperation with the Slovenian Student Biology Society, we organised a ten-day research camp for biology students. The camp brought together 64 participants, including students, mentors and organisers. Research groups investigated various groups of organisms and nature conservation topics, including birds, bats, dragonflies, large carnivores, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, fungi and subterranean organisms.
An important part of the camp was cooperation with non-governmental nature conservation organisations and the presentation of research findings to the local community. At the end of the camp, participants presented their findings to the public, helping to raise awareness of the area's natural values.
Nature conservation camps make an important contribution to raising young people's awareness, fostering an interest in nature research and helping to develop a new generation of experts and advocates for wetland and biodiversity conservation.
Results:
REPORT_ Summer Nature-Conservation Camp 2024 (SLO)
The implementation of extensive nature conservation projects exceeds the financial capacity of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing by the European Union.
The implementation of large-scale conservation projects exceeds the financial capabilities of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing from the European Union.
