Where peace is a presence
Carpathian Peace Parks are more than a network of protected areas. They are a living sanctuary where nature and people live and move as one, across borders and through generations.
Europe’s first transboundary sanctuary for peace and nature
Spanning the border between Romania and Ukraine, Carpathian Peace Parks aim to become Europe’s largest network of interconnected protected areas. But this is more than a park system. It’s a model for cross-border cooperation, biodiversity preservation, and ecological diplomacy—a place where nature, culture, and history are protected together. It starts by uniting Ukraine and Romania around the Suceava springs and aims to connect several protected areas in the Carpathian Mountains.
Born from crisis.
Built for the future.
Shaped by history.
A promise for generations.
The idea of the Carpathian Peace Parks was born in a moment of despair and shaped by a glimpse of hope that we can do better. On the first day of the war in Ukraine, Gabriel Păun, UN Champion of the Earth and founder of Agent Green NGO, stood witness to a world preparing for increasing insecurity. Instead, he chose to start planting the seeds of peace.
From that choice came a movement. A vision of mountains without borders, communities without fear, and a forested sanctuary where peace is not just remembered—it is lived.
“What can people want when a war starts? I suppose peace, as soon as possible. So I chose to focus on creating something beautiful, instead of disarray. A safe and well-prepared place for tourists, which can be visited once peace returns to Ukraine. And with every visit, every local producer or supplier will benefit. Because this park is not just about nature and biodiversity conservation. It is also about the people who have lived here for millennia, about their traditions and about the future that we want to develop together.”
Gabriel Păun,
Founder of Agent Green & UN Champion of the Earth
A park that lives with the land
We aim to live with nature—as one.
Carpathian Peace Parks are shaped by the forests, rivers, and the people who call this land home. We believe in cooperation, not control; shared responsibility, not isolation; and peace as a living energy—not a moment of stillness.
🌱 Regeneration
💪 Resilience
🤲🏻 Cooperation
🌍 Shared Responsibility
🎨 Cultural Diversity
🌳 Guardianship
📚 Continuous Learning
🕊 Peace as a living energy
From cold war border to shared sanctuary
This land was once divided by barbed wire. It still is. We want the bear, the wolf, the lynx and all the other animals to roam freely again. And also the Hutsul shepherds, Romanian villagers, and Ukrainian artisans to reconnect through shared trails and timeless traditions. This isn’t just a park. It’s a homecoming.
United by Purpose
Carpathian Peace Parks is an initiative by Agent Green and supported by many other NGOs, scientists, community leaders, forward thinking politicians, members of royal families, artists and other celebrities from all around the World. Together, we are shaping a model of permanent peace that the world can walk through, breathe in, and believe in.
Founder of Agent Green & UN Champion of the Earth
Alexandra brings her expertise in environmental management and community engagement to lead conservation initiatives within Carpathian Peace Parks.
Romanian-born actress Oana Pellea has won numerous accolades for her theatre and film work.
Principal orchestra conductor at George Enescu philarmonica and artistic director at Musica Ricercata
Memorandum of Cooperation
Defines shared goals, science-based governance, and willingness of stakeholders to cooperate to establish the future network of Carpathian Peace Parks. It involves both, state and non-state actors.
Significant milestones in building the parks
Explore the key moments that will shape the Carpathian Peace Park. Each milestone reflects our commitment to harmony and conservation.
March 2022
First field trip.
Gabriel Paun liaison with Marcel Mindrescu, nature sciences professor at Suceava University and founder of Geoconcept NGO. Together they have selected the Suceava springs area as the best candidate natural area to become the future peace park after a careful check of existent materials and a field trip.
November 2022
First Meeting with Ukrainian Partners
Presentation of the initiative at the CECCEE conference. Scientists from Chernivtsi and Suceava Universities and park directors from both countries sign the first collaboration agreement.
March 2023
Local community consultations begin with help of Geoconcept
Field research and meetings in Putna, Vicovu de Sus, and Frătăuții Noi. Local officials express initial support for being included in the initiative.
July 2023
Delegation from Ukraine
Delegation from Ukraine (protected areas administration and university representatives) goes to Romanian side of Carpathians and visit various objectives, producers and suppliers.
October 2023
Exploring options of cooperation
A delegation from Romania goes to Ukraine and visits neighboring parks and their potential expansion to merge with plans for a new park in Romania at Suceava springs. Visit at Chernivtsi university and meeting with the nature sciences dean to explore options of cooperation in twining projects.
May 2024
Balkans Security Forum
Presenting and promoting our initiative at the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum 2024 , Panel VIIC: Environmental Diplomacy - a tool for cross-border ecological security and peace.
October 2024
Meetings with mayors
Meetings with the freshly elected Romanian mayors in the communities along Suceava springs. Visiting most prominent local producers and suppliers in the area. Meeting the new rector of the Chernivtsi University.
November 2024
Carpathian Convention Implementation Committee
Presenting and promoting the Memorandum of Cooperation at the 15th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Implementation Committee (CCIC)
January 2025
Memorandum of Cooperation with Carpathian Convention was signed
April 2025
Carpathian Convention Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management
Presenting and promoting our initiative at the 10th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management 28-29 April 2025, Bratislava, Slovakia.
May 2025
Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity
Presenting and promoting our initiative at the 16th Meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Biodiversity in Veselí nad Moravou, Czech Republic.
June 2025
OSCE Conference on Climate and Security
Presenting and promoting our initiative at the OSCE Conference on Climate and Security in Espoo, Finland.
July 2025
The International Peace Bureau (IPB)
Gabriel Paun and Agent Green became member of The International Peace Bureau (IPB), an organization with a rich history dating back over a century that stands as a testament to the enduring pursuit of global harmony. As a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the IPB’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the recognition of its tireless efforts to promote peace and foster understanding across the world.
You make this possible
Your donation is more than financial support. It’s a statement that peace, biodiversity, and culture are worth investing in. Together, we can transform the Carpathians into a sanctuary the world can learn from—and future generations can inherit.
