Based on the European Programme Goal to save biodiversity, IUCN-SEE applies the “Conservation without frontiers”-Strategy based on trans-boundary cooperation and integrated biodiversity conservation. Organic agriculture, sustainable forestry management and eco-tourism are some of the project foci at IUCN-SEE. Binding natural elements such as rivers and mountain ridges are utilised to bring communities together and to overcome political barriers after disintegration of former Iron Curtain. In the frame of Countdown 2010, the European Greenbelt, an ecological backbone along the former Iron Curtain throughout Europe is another important tool of IUCN for integrating local stakeholders into nature conservation, which is managed by IUCN-SEE. Based on joint project development and implementation IUCN-SEE cooperates with local authorities and civil societies as well as with international organisations such as FAO, REC, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, WWF and others.