The DIKTAS II project represents the second phase of the regional initiative for the sustainable management of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System. It is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro, with a strong emphasis on cross-border cooperation in protecting karst waters, ecosystems, and the sectors that depend on them—such as water supply, agriculture, and industry.
The project is supported by UNESCO, UNDP, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), building on the results of the first phase, DIKTAS I.
Its main objectives include strengthening national and regional frameworks for groundwater management, developing monitoring systems for karst waters and ecosystems, and protecting vulnerable areas. The project also promotes cooperation among countries in the region to reduce flood risks, preserve biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Ivan Vučković, our colleague and biology expert, actively participates in the work of the project’s international expert team. So far, he has taken part in two joint meetings of experts from all project countries—the first held in Trebinje in July and the second in Sarajevo in November 2025.
At the Trebinje meeting, he delivered a presentation titled:
“The importance of biodiversity in the DIKTAS II project”,
while in Sarajevo he presented the topic:
“Karst waters and their dependent ecosystems - promoting the importance of karst systems and possible monitoring as part of a comprehensive monitoring system in the DIKTAS II region.”
Dr. Vučković’s participation in the DIKTAS II project confirms the professional excellence and contribution of Croatian scientists to international activities focused on the protection and sustainable management of the water resources of the Dinaric Karst.
