On Friday, 3 July 2026, the environmental organization CALLISTO held a participatory workshop in Prespa, within the framework of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project.
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The meeting focused on transferring the experience of Bear Smart Communities to the Prespa area, drawing on lessons learned from the Trikala–Meteora Bear Smart Community and adapting them to the specific needs of the region.
The discussion addressed issues of direct concern to the local community, including damage prevention, the management of bear attractants, agricultural and livestock activities, information for residents and visitors, and the need for better coordination among the relevant stakeholders.
The response from the local community was particularly important, with the participation of members of the Municipal Council, municipal staff, presidents of local councils, representatives of the Forest Services of Florina and Edessa, livestock breeders, the Pelekanos Cooperative, the Hunting Association of Florina, as well as residents and members of the local community.
During the workshop, the experience of the Trikala–Meteora Bear Smart Community was presented, followed by an open discussion on the challenges faced in Prespa, the stakeholders who can contribute, and the small practical interventions that could be piloted in the area. Participants also co-developed proposals for preventive measures in the village Pyli, as a first practical step based on the needs identified by the local community itself.
The Prespa experience confirms that the effective management of human–bear coexistence challenges requires local knowledge, cooperation, trust, and continuity. Small, targeted interventions can serve as a starting point for a more stable process of prevention and coordination in the area.
CALLISTO will continue to support prevention, awareness-raising, and cooperation actions, with the aim of reducing conflicts and strengthening local preparedness in areas where the brown bear is present.
