Pasvik-Inari Transboundary Area in Norway and Finland was successfully re-certified as EUROPARC Transboundary Park

The stunning Pasvik-Inari Transboundary Area, consisting of five protected areas in Norway and Finland, has been successfully working bilaterally between both countries since February 2022. Just recently, the transboundary Protected Areas has passed the audit of the EUROPARC Federation, thereby re-certifying the cooperation between the border parks for the period 2025–2030.

 

Pasvik–Inari at the Fennoscandian Green Belt – where species and cultures meet
The lush Pasvik River valley stretches from Lake Inari to the Barents Sea, forming a vital link in a mosaic of lakes, mires, wetlands, and pristine taiga forests. It’s a unique crossroads where European, Eastern, and Arctic species meet, some reaching the very limits of their range. The area is also an important nesting and resting site for migratory birds.

The Pasvik–Inari region is a long-standing multicultural meeting point. Norwegians, Finns, Kvens, and three Sámi groups—Northern, Inari, and Skolt Sámi—have coexisted here for centuries, each preserving distinct languages, cultures, and traditions. This diversity, together with shared nature and history, enriches today’s cross-border cooperation in conservation.

Cross-border collaboration in action
International cooperation focuses on nature monitoring, environmental education, and sustainable nature-based tourism. Joint efforts include annual bird counts, brown bear monitoring, and school collaborations between Norway and Finland. Local residents are strongly committed to the sustainable management of the Pasvik-Inari cooperation area, and all key stakeholders participate in the cooperation.

Cooperation in Pasvik-Inari Area was first established as a Trilateral Park in 2008 as a result of long-term cooperation between the nature protection authorities in Norway, Russia and Finland dating back to early 1990’s. Since 2022, cooperation has continued bilaterally between Finland and Norway under the name Pasvik–Inari Transboundary Area, following the end of trilateral work with Russia due to the war in Ukraine. Despite challenges, the partnership remains strong and was recently re-certified by the EUROPARC Transboundary Programme, and this with excellency! All 14 criteria have been fully met! The recertifications is an important step in strengthening this key protected area within the European Green Belt!

 

You can find more about the Transboundary Programme of the EUROPARC Federation under this link.

You can also watch a short story about Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park on YouTube.

 

For more information, please contact: KIRSI UKKONEN (kirsi.ukkonen(at)metsa.fi), Senior Specialist, Recreational Amenities (Metsähallitus)

Website: www.metsa.fi