INNOVATIVE FINANCING - Bear Friendly Products | Croatia and Slovenia

Abstract

Species: Brown bear 

Country: Croatia and Slovenia

Implementation: October 2015 - ongoing

Contact info: almajicgmail [dot] com (Alexsandra Majic)

More information: DINALP Bear-Friendly Products and Bear-Friendly Label

The issue

Conflicts over the presence of brown bears remain one of the main threats to their conservation. Many people living near bears are concerned about the potential negative economic impact they can have. Misconceptions about the frequency of bear attacks lead to reduced tolerance and increased fear of these animals. There is less awareness of the positive socio-economic impacts of brown bears in addition to their ecological importance.

A solution

Demonstrating that the presence of bears can be used to increase profits can increase the positive image of bears locally and support coexistence. Product branding is one way in which profits of producers, who need to take extra steps to avoid damages, can be rewarded for their efforts. 

The Bear Friendly Label is a key initiative of the LIFE DINALP BEAR project. The label has been created to recognise and reward local products and services that promote a better coexistence between bears and humans by giving them a higher market value. The label is awarded to producers whose practices protect livestock, beehives and orchards with bear-proof measures, and promote responsible bear tourism and conservation-oriented handicrafts.

Products with the label include honey and honey products, teddy bears, tableware and spruce tinctures, some of which can be purchased online and at the DINA Pivka large carnivore visitor centre’s shop.

Actions

• Establishing a labelling scheme:
  • Definition of categories and developing of label criteria. Three categories were defined: farming, tourism and active promotion. In order to be awarded with the label, a set of specific criteria needs to be fulfilled for each category. 
  • Formation of a labelling committee made up of experts in various fields including tourism, damage prevention measures, and large carnivore conservation. This committee reviews each application individually, providing feedback and suggestions to help applicants meet the criteria and improve their practices.
• Marketing measures: 
  • Production of stickers with the “Bear-friendly” label. Over time, the information on the stickers has been expanded to include background information on all large carnivores in the region: bear, lynx and wolf. 
  • Production of a leaflet and web pages promoting the products.
  • Awareness raising at travel markets and fairs.
  • Creation of the “Bear friendly map”, an interactive geographical online database that includes “bear-friendly” products and services as well as bear distribution in Croatia and Slovenia
  • Promotion of the label among users with bear friendly ambassadors (volunteers). 

What changed

In the initial months, 15 producers in Slovenia and 13 in Croatia were approved to use the “Bear-friendly” label on their products. By 2019, the label was awarded to over 70 products and services in Croatia and Slovenia.

A satisfaction survey for the users of the label was conducted and over 90% of the respondents reported positive feedback and plan to continue using the label.

The story of the bear friendly label was shared as part of Natura 2000 branding campaign that communicates the benefits of Natura 2000 areas for nature and people.

Financing

The Bear Friendly label was initially funded by the LIFE DINALP BEAR project (LIFE13 NAT/SI/000550). This initiative has since been further promoted through LIFE Lynx (LIFE16 NAT/SI/000634), Interreg Slovenia-Croatia Carnivora Dinarica and LIFE WOLFALPS EU (LIFE18 NAT/IT/000972).

Other examples

Labelling Scheme for "Broutard" from Free-Range Lamb in the Central Pyrenees

The "broutard Pays de l'Ours" label was established to promote sustainable lamb production in the Pyrenees that is compatible with the presence of bears and respects both humans and the environment.

Labelling Scheme for Farm Cheeses Produced in the Haut Béarn

The "Pé Descaous" brand uses a bear's image to market cheese, promoting coexistence between bears and shepherds in the Pyrenees, boosting cheese sales, and encouraging the preservation of traditional pastoral practices and biodiversity.

Bear friendly label of  LIFE ARCPROM

Maiella National Park and WWF Italy launched the Bear Friendly label on May 24th to reward beekeepers and farmers who use practices protecting the Apennine brown bear and its ecosystem, promoting sustainable production and reducing human-bear conflicts.