PAN Parks is the world's first operational, third-party certification system under WCPA (World Commission on Protected Araes) Framework for Management Effectiveness.  PAN Parks sets an important benchmark for high standards of management in protected area management.
It also engages directly with the tourism industry which is a sector that constitutes not only a key threat to conservation in many areas, but also potentially is an opportunity for protected areas.

A 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. There are five PAN Parks principles; covering relevant environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects. They ensure high standards of management for both conservation and sustainable development. Principles allow for objective verification and transparency.


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


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