The project is planned to last five years, supported by other funding, or potentially through all Rufford levels of Grants. In the first year, we will focus on defining the „zero state“ of bat fauna within the area/territory of National Park Kozara. We will provide a first assessing database, list of species, the size of the population and roosting and nursery sites. Reason for this is that there was no official research of bat fauna in this area. During following years, plan is to establish planned and systematic monitoring of bat species within National Park. In the last year, plan is to make final analysis of the work and to create management plan for each species which will be registered during the research. Management plan will be presented to the employees of National Park Kozara, for proper, sustainable management of bat species within the park. In the first year (from June 2016 till June 2017), we plan to focus on the 1st zone of National Park Kozara within the strictest protection level, but also in the areas which we found suitable for bat exploration (caves, rivers, etc.). Research of bats can be done during the whole year, from beginning of the spring until the end of autumn when we consider that bats are active. Also during the winter it is possible to research by finding important hibernation sites. In total, at least 45 days will be spent on the field during the first year. As a long term objective, we would like to achieve:

- Better use of the habitat and creation of management plans for different bat species;

- With conduction of the research, through administration of National Park and local government we will promote and advocate for signing of the “Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe” (EUROBATS);

- Raise awareness of local population, youth, government and including scientific community on the ecological importance of bats and need for their protection.