Photo: Orsolya HaarbergA park becomes certified following verification which is carried out by a team of independent experts, in accord with PAN Parks Principles, Criteria & Indicators (P&C). The P&C form the core of the PAN Parks project. The five PAN Parks principles ensure high standards of management for both conservation and sustainable development. Principles allow for objective verification and transparency.

 To learn more about PAN Parks verification download the guide to PAN Parks verification.

Verification is carried out by teams of independent experts according to the Verification Manual. The verification procedure includes three elements: verification of the protected area, its Sustainable Tourism Strategy and the local business partners

Steps of verification

Step 1

Verification management of the protected area (natural values, habitat management, visitor management)
Independent verifiers who are experts in the field of conservation evaluate the areas based on desk assessment and field trips against Principles 1-3.
The parks that successfully meet the requirements are expected to start working on setting up Local PAN Parks Groups. It can be an already existing forum, which serves as a meeting place for stakeholders such as local businesses, local governments (municipalities), local NGOs and/or associations.
 

Step 2

Verification of the tourism strategy of the park and the surroundings
The role of the Local PAN Parks Group is to develop and approve the region’s Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy (STDS, Principle 4) within 1-2 years after certification of the protected area against P&C 1-3 and to get local business partners on board (Principle 5). The PAN Parks Foundation will provide a guideline about STDS and financial support for 12 months to verified PAN Parks for setting up the Local PAN Parks Group. Verifiers will evaluate STDS against Principle 4 as part of the monitoring process.
 

Step 3

Verification of local business partners
The co-ordinator of the Local PAN Parks Group will be in charge to verify local business partners (Principle 5). The performance of local PAN Parks business partners will randomly be checked during regular monitoring by international experts.

What is the exact process?

To get a detailed description of the process have a look at the verification procedure charts for:

1. Protected areas
2. STDS
3. Local business partners