Germany will provide €10 million to create a conservation fund for Ukraine’s protected areas, with an emphasis on safeguarding the country’s internationally important primeval forests during the war and strengthening their long-term management.
The funding, announced by Germany’s Federal Environment Ministry, is intended to support the UNESCO World Heritage property known as the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. Fifteen Ukrainian forest areas form part of that transnational site.
Planned work extends beyond emergency protection. The ministry identified peatland conservation, climate action, nature-sensitive tourism, infrastructure reconstruction, modern protected-area management, staff training and a broader ranger service among the measures the fund could support.
Ukraine’s natural areas have faced added pressure since Russia’s full-scale invasion, while park staff continue working under difficult conditions. Building a dedicated fund is meant to help managers protect ecosystems now while preparing for recovery after hostilities end.
Nature as part of recovery
The announcement treats conservation infrastructure as part of national resilience. Protecting forests, peatlands and park institutions preserves biodiversity, stores carbon and maintains a foundation for responsible tourism and local livelihoods.
Sources: German Federal Environment Ministry and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy and Environment.
Featured image: Klavdiievo forest in Ukraine, by Wikimedia user Аимаина хикари. CC0 1.0 public-domain dedication. License and source.
