POSSIBILITIES OF IMPROVING COOPERATION OF MANAGERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS ĐERDAP AND KOPAONIK

: In accordance with the Law on National Parks (NP) from 2015, the manager is obliged to cooperate with the stakeholders in the area of NP. The aim of the paper is to determine the attitudes of the representatives of the Public Enterprise “NP Đerdap” and Public Enterprise “NP Kopaonik” and stakeholders in the area of these two NPs, towards the existing cooperation, as well as the possibilities for its improvement. Primary data were collected in two phases. In the first phase, 52 stakeholders' representatives from the public, private and civil sectors from the areas of both NPs were surveyed and 9 representatives of the NP managers were interviewed. In the second phase, interviews were conducted with 16 stakeholders' representatives, 2 rep resentatives of NP managers and 2 experts (representatives of institutions and organizations, whose business activities are directly or indirectly related to the management of protected areas). Representatives of NP managers emphasize that they have cooperation with stakehold ers from the public, private and civil sectors. They are satisfied with this cooperation, but also have the interest to improve it. Most stakeholders’ representatives from the area of NP Đer dap (92.6%) and NP Kopaonik (76.0%) noted that they are satisfied with the managers’ work. They also have cooperation with other stakeholders in the NP area, but they are interested in improvement. Proposals refer to sharing more information and education of stakeholders, establishing of their association and joint work on projects.

Напомена: Истраживање је реализовано у оквиру пројекта "Одрживо газдовање укупним потенцијалима шума у Републици Србији" (ев. бр. 37008-ТР), финансираног од стране Министарства просвете, науке и технолошког развоја Републике Србије. Abstract: In accordance with the Law on National Parks (NP) from 2015, the manager is obliged to cooperate with the stakeholders in the area of NP. The aim of the paper is to determine the attitudes of the representatives of the Public Enterprise "NP Đerdap" and Public Enterprise "NP Kopaonik" and stakeholders in the area of these two NPs, towards the existing cooperation, as well as the possibilities for its improvement. Primary data were collected in two phases. In the first phase, 52 stakeholders' representatives from the public, private and civil sectors from the areas of both NPs were surveyed and 9 representatives of the NP managers were interviewed. In the second phase, interviews were conducted with 16 stakeholders' representatives, 2 representatives of NP managers and 2 experts (representatives of institutions and organizations, whose business activities are directly or indirectly related to the management of protected areas). Representatives of NP managers emphasize that they have cooperation with stakeholders from the public, private and civil sectors. They are satisfied with this cooperation, but also have the interest to improve it. Most stakeholders' representatives from the area of NP Đerdap (92.6%) and NP Kopaonik (76.0%) noted that they are satisfied with the managers' work. They also have cooperation with other stakeholders in the NP area, but they are interested in improvement. Proposals refer to sharing more information and education of stakeholders, establishing of their association and joint work on projects.

INTRODUCTION
Sustainable management of natural resources "…in modern conditions imposes itself as a necessary activity…" and refers to "…a set of measures, methods and activities that would reconcile economic growth and development with the scale of available resources" (M i l an ov, 2013). One of the key activities related to the sustainable management of natural resources is "…putting protected areas under protection, by adopting an act of the competent authority, based on the proposal of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia" (Aleks i ć , J a n č i ć , 2009). Protected areas (PAs) are primarily established for the purpose of "…the protection of biodiversity" (Ioniţă, Stanciu, 2016). However, these areas also "…provide numerous benefits to people, enabling the sustainable development of local communities" (Ioniţă, Stanciu, 2016). In this regard, the planning and management of the PA "…today presents a great challenge, both in the international professional public and in the everyday practice of PA management" (NKD, 2017). PAs require organized management, which represents "…interaction between the manager, i.e. the organization entrusted with the management and the environments in which they are located" (Đ o rđevi ć, 2017).
Participants involved in the management of the PAs can be (E merto n et al., 2006;Đo rđevi ć et al., 2014;Dovers et al., 2015): -managers, which include all actors who have legal or customary rights in relation to the PA; -stakeholders 1 , which include all other actors who are directly or indirectly connected with the ZP, but do not have legal or socially recognized rights to them. According to the Law on National Parks (NPs) from 1993 2 , in Serbia, the NPs are managed by public enterprises (PEs). These enterprises "…implement a protection regime in the NP and manage natural values, construction land that is transferred to manager's use and management, facilities that serve the management of natural values, as well as other immovable entrusted to management, unless otherwise specified by law" 1 Stakeholders are all organizations, communities, groups or individuals who have (direct or indirect) interest in a particular "case" (project, program, business, etc.), and which, positively or negatively, affect or are affected by someone's decision, results of a particular situation or activity (F re eman, 1984; Emerton et al., 2006;Wa l to n et al., 2013). 2 The Law on NPs from 1993 was in force until 2015, i.e. until the adoption of the new Law on NPs. However, the provisions of the Law on NPs from 1993, which refer to the establishment of public enterprises, as NP's managers, are valid even after the adoption of the new law, in accordance with Art. 26 of the Law on NPs from 2015. (1993). NPs are a challenge to manage, in order to achieve conservation, improvement, sustainable use, regulation and presentation of natural and other value areas.
This requires the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders in the process of managing the NP, starting from the state level, through the NP manager to individuals and companies located in the NP area (NKD, 2017). The term cooperation includes all activities that are undertaken in order to achieve common goals and interests (N o n i ć , 2015). In terms of managing NP, cooperation refers to the involvement of one part or all stakeholders in the PA in management activities (B o rri n i -Feye ra b e n d , 1996). In addition, responsibility for management, most often, belongs to an organization (manager), which, by law, is obliged to inform or consult other stakeholders (Wo r b o ys , Tr zyn a, 2015).
According to Art. 23 of the Law on NPs (2015), the NP manager is obliged to "…cooperate with the local community, local organizations, citizens' associations and citizens in all program and investment activities in the NP area, gives consent and opinions and coordinates activities". Likewise, stakeholders. i.e. "…legal persons, entrepreneurs and physical persons who perform activities and work in the NP, are obliged to do so in accordance with the Management Plan and prohibitions and restrictions" ( 2015).
The Law on NPs foresees the establishment of the Stakeholder Council, which consists of "…representatives of local governments, organizations and associations that implement their activity in the area of NP or in the protection zone" (2015) 3 . The aim of the establishment of the Stakeholder council is to make the most important stakeholders involved in the decision-making process so that they can express their opinions on NP management. The Law also stipulates that local government, local communities, citizens' associations and other stakeholders should play an active role in the process of adopting the Management Plan and the Management Program (2015). This clearly emphasizes the need for more active participation of the local community and other stakeholders in the NP management.
The task of the manager, "…in modern models of PAs management is to develop all forms of partnership with the local community. Local communities should be encouraged to recognize, preserve and improve the natural and cultural values of the area" (J e l i ć , 2016). The most common forms of stakeholders' involvement in the NP management are (Borrini-Feyerabend et al., 2007): -information exchange; -consultations; -functional participation (joint work); -cooperation (cooperative management); -delegation.
In different phases of the PAs management process (planning, decision-making, performance evaluation, etc.), a large number of stakeholders is involved. In order to fulfil the goals of establishing the PA, they should all work in harmony, which requires a high level of cooperation.
The results of previous research show that stakeholders can be divided into three groups (2011): 1. public sector (PubS) 4 ; 2. private sector (PrivS) 5 ; 3. civil sector (CS) 6 . 4 In terms of this research, representatives of PubS in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik are officials of tourist organizations and public enterprises at the local level, as well as other public institutions, whose activity is protection and improvement of the PA, improvement of local economic development and meeting the needs of citizens, and tourism and cultural development. 5 In terms of this research, representatives of PrivS in the area of NP Đerdap are the owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), whose activity (harvesting and transporting wood assortments, construction of roads, charcoal production, processing of logs, materials and elements from wood, providing services (elaboration of planning documents in forestry, hospitality industry and tourism) in the area of NP Đerdap, as well as private forest owners (PFOs) from that area. In the area of NP Kopaonik, PrivS representatives are owners of SMEs (processing of logs, production of sawn timber) and PFOs from the area of NP. 6 In terms of this research, representatives of CS, are: non-governmental organizations, hunting and fishing associations, associations mushroom collectors and beekeepers, as well as all other organizations whose activities (e.g. nature conservation and environment protection, volunteerism, activism, organization of public events aimed at educating the population, maintaining cultural heritage and improving the area itself) are being implemented in the area of NP.
In addition, previous research in Serbia has shown that the lack of cooperation and communication between the PA managers and stakeholders can be one of the main reasons for numerous and frequent conflicts in that area (G r u j u č i ć et al., 2008). Therefore, it was necessary to conduct research to examine the attitudes of the stakeholders, as well as the representatives of the managers in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik 7 , in order to determine their cooperation.
In this regard, the paper analyzes the views of the representatives of the NP managers and stakeholders in order to determine the current situation and define the proposals for the development and improvement of cooperation in the area of NPs. The research aims to determine the attitudes of the representatives of NP managers (PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik" and stakeholders in the area of these two NPs, towards the existing cooperation, as well as the possibilities for its improvement. The purpose of the research is to formulate proposals for improving cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders as well as between stakeholders. The subject of the research is the views of the representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik", as well as stakeholders in the area of selected NPs, on the investigated problem.

METHODS
General, basic and special scientific methods are applied research in the research. From general methods, a statistical method was used, and it was applied in the processing of primary data. As a basic scientific method, a comparative method was used to determine the similarity and difference of the respondents' attitudes. From special scientific methods, analysis and synthesis were applied. The method of analysis was used when analyzing the primary data. In addition, a synthesis method was used for formulating conclusions.
Primary data collection was done in two phases, by applying a door-to-door survey (Malhotra, 2007) and structured face-to-face interviews (M ih aj l ovi ć, 2012), as research techniques.
In the first phase of data collection (in the period July-August 2017), in the area of NP Đerdap, a survey was conducted with 27 stakeholders' representatives. Interviews were conducted with five representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" (Table 1).
In the area of NP Kopaonik, the data collection was conducted in the period May-June 2018, when 25 representatives of stakeholders were interviewed and four representatives of PE "NP Kopaonik" were interviewed (Table 1).  l h o t ra , 2007). The representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik" obtained a preliminary list of stakeholders. Then, the firstly selected respondents submitted further proposals.
Two questionnaires were used, one for representatives of stakeholders and the other for the representatives NP managers. The questionnaires were a combination of open-, close-ended and questions with Likert's scale 8 .
The questionnaire for representatives of NP managers contained 17 questions, which included the following topics: 1. general information and activities of the NP managers (questions 1-6); 2. cooperation with stakeholders (questions 7-17).
In the second phase of data collection, respondents (Table 2) were selected based on the criteria 9 for selecting representatives of PubS, PrivS, and CS. The criteria for the selection of respondents were defined based on the results collected in the first phase and included representatives of: 1. NP managers; 2. stakeholders, which perform activities in the area of NP; 3. stakeholders, which perform activities related to forestry, environmental protection and promotion of NP; 4. stakeholders, whose average rate of interest from economic, environmental, cultural, social and educational aspects between 3.51 and 5.00 ("high" or "very high" interest).
8 5-point Likert scale was used: 1 -very low interest/very bad cooperation/very ill-informed; 2 -low interest/bad cooperation/ill-informed; 3 -neither low nor high interest/ neither bad nor good cooperation/neither ill-informed nor well informed; 4 -high interest/good cooperation/well informed; 5 -very high interest/very good cooperation/very well informed. 9 The criteria were related to respondents' answers, which were obtained in the first phase of data collection.
The objective of collecting data in the second phase was to determine the attitudes of the representatives of the NP managers and selected stakeholders, towards the proposals for improvement and further development of business activities and cooperation. Proposals are defined based on the analysis of respondents' responses collected in the first phase.
In the second phase of data collection the area of NP Đerdap, one representative of PE "NP Đerdap", four respondents from PubS, three from PrivS and two from CS were interviewed in December 2018. In the area of NP Kopaonik, during November 2018, interviews were conducted with one representative of PE "NP Kopaonik", three respondents from PubS, two from PrviS and two from CS.
Four questionnaires developed after the analysis of the results obtained in the first phase of data collection were used 10 in the second phase.
The questionnaire for stakeholders consisted of six questions, divided into four groups: 1. general information about the organization/ institution/company/property (question 1); 2. governance framework (question 2); 3. stakeholders' activities in the area of NP (question 3); 4. cooperation with the NP manager and other stakeholders (questions 4-6).
Experts' attitudes towards the possibilities of improvement and further development of business activities and cooperation between the NP managers and stakeholders were determined by using the structured, face-to-face interviews (M a l h o t ra , 2007; M i h a i l o v i ć , 2012). For this research, judgmental sampling was used (Malhot ra , 2007). This type of sampling was necessary due to the nature of the research itself, which was focused on representatives of institutions and organizations (experts), whose business activities are directly or indirectly related to the management of PAs (Table 3).
The expert questionnaire consisted of seven open questions, divided into five groups: 1. general information about the respondent and the institution/organization (questions 1-2); 2. improvement of the legislative framework for managing the NP, in the part related to the cooperation between the NP managers and stakeholders (question 3); 3. improvement of the institutional frameworks for managing the PA, in the part relating to cooperation with stakeholders (question 4); 4. improving existing cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders (questions 5-6); 5. improvement of existing cooperation between stakeholders in the area of NP (question 7). For the purpose of this paper, the answers of the respondents concerning the method and the evaluation of the success rate of cooperation, as well as the interest for its improvement were analyzed.
The processing and analysis of data collected in the first phase were carried out in two ways: 1. statistical processing of data obtained from stakeholders in the program SPSS ver. 20 (frequency analysis and descriptive statistics), for close-ended questions; 2. Content analysis, for open-ended questions.

Source: authors
The data collected in the second phase were processed using content analysis, and the "advocate-opponent" matrix table (Glück et al., 2011) was used to present the responses (overview 1).

RESULTS
Within this chapter, the attitudes of the representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik", stakeholders in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik, as well as the experts towards the existing cooperation and possibilities for its improvement are presented and analyzed.

Attitudes of NP managers and stakeholders towards existing cooperation
Within this sub-chapter, an analysis of the attitudes of the NP managers and stakeholders towards the existence of cooperation, the way and the assessment of its successfulness was carried out. In addition, the need and preconditions for improving cooperation have also been analyzed.

Attitudes of the NP managers' representatives towards cooperation with stakeholders
Based on interviews with the representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik", it was determined that there is cooperation with PubS, PrivS and CS in the area of NPs.
Cooperation with PubS is in the form of consultations and participation in decision-making, with regard to the management of the NP and joint appearances to third parties.
Within PrivS, they cooperate with SMEs in relation with the sale of wood assortments (NP Đerdap, NP Kopaonik), as well as in relation to the harvesting of trees and procurement of mobiliaries (wood houses and bridges) (NP Kopaonik). Cooperation with the PFOs relates to the carrying out of professional and advisory activities (NP Đerdap, NP Kopaonik), as well as activities for the protection of forests and hunting fauna (NP Đerdap).
NP managers cooperate with CS in terms of providing tourist offer and organizing events (NP Đerdap, NP Kopaonik), protection of game and fish fund and promotion of hunting and fishing tourism (NP Đerdap). Most of the respondents (4) from the area of NP Đerdap highlighted the cooperation with the local NGO "I want! I can!", Hunting association "Đerdap" and sport and fishing association "Štuka", located in Donji Milanovac. In the area of the NP Kopaonik, cooperation with the association of mushroom collectors and the NGO "Zeleni putokaz" is highlighted in connection with the development of summer tourism, protection of mushrooms and education of the population. Table 4 shows the assessment of cooperation with stakeholders.
Based on the data presented, it can be concluded that the representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" give the highest grade to the cooperation with SMEs in forestry (4.7). On the other hand, the cooperation with the Forest management unit Donji Milanovac (3.8) and tourism and cultural organizations (3.8) was the lowest. Representatives of PE "NP Kopaonik", the lowest rate is given to cooperating with NGOs and associations (2.3). On the other hand, they consider the best cooperation with local government (3.7) and tourism and cultural organizations (3.7).
Based on the answers received from the representatives of both NP managers, it can be concluded that they have cooperation with stakeholders from all sectors. However, based on the cooperation in the area of NP Đerdap is better assessed.
All representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik" emphasized that there is an interest in improving cooperation. Representatives of the managers of both NP have listed similar ways of improving cooperation: -participation in joint projects (PENPĐ1, PEN-PĐ2, PENPĐ3, PENPK3); -improving the quality and frequency of communication (PENP4, PENP5); -improvement of "…protection of wildlife game…" (PENPÐ5) and "…communication with other hunting associations, the establishment of contracts, holding lectures, organization of pedestrian tours in terms of game feeding and promotion of hunting in NP" (PENPK4); -establishment of the Stakeholder Council (PENPK1, PENPK2). According to NP managers, the main preconditions for establishing and improving cooperation with stakeholders are: -it is necessary to "…organize and institutionalize associations for the purpose of jointly planned activities" (PENPĐ1); -"…getting to know legal possibilities and limitations" (PENPĐ2); -"…improved information sharing" (PENPD3); -"…all members of the hunting association carry out activities in the hunting ground" (PENPĐ5). -"…the establishment of the Stakeholders Council, to pay more attention to the protection, conservation and rational use of natural resources" (PENPK2); -"…a different approach from the non-governmental sector, as well as a better way of transparency and familiarity with all the rules of the law" (PENPK3). In addition to the above, the key precondition is to identify stakeholders who are willing to take a part in the decision-making process, as well as the establishment of the association, which will improve the cooperation of all stakeholders (PEN-PĐ1, PENPĐ2, PENPK1, PENPK2).
Asked, "whether they participated in the exchange of information, consultations with stakeholders, regarding issues of common interest (protection and use of resources, method of cooperation, call for proposals and similar activities)", all representatives of NP managers gave a positive answer. The respondent PENPĐ1 points out that there was cooperation and that "…on the basis of legal obligations, information was exchanged regarding the adoption of the most important act, the Management Plan of NP Đerdap" (PENPĐ1). The representative of PE "NP Đerdap" (PENPĐ2) stated that they provided information through "…meetings and presentations of plans and programs, and legal provisions" (PENPĐ2).
The average assessment of the amount information stakeholders receive about the work of the PE "NP Đerdap" is 3.6, which indicates that they are "well-informed". The assessment of the number of information stakeholders receive about the work of PE "NP Kopaonik" is 3.3, which indicates that they are "neither ill-nor well-informed" (Graph 1). All respondents agree that providing information about their work is done exclusively through direct contact with employees of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik", which is very common, as well as using the NP managers' website. Information can also be obtained through local television or local radio stations, where they are advertised monthly or more often, depending on the event, as well as via social networks (for example, Facebook).
The provision of information in both NPs is done in a similar manner and has an approximate rate. Certainly, the provision of information could be increased and conducted in other ways (e.g. printing brochures, posters, local internet portals, daily newspapers, etc.). In this way, stakeholders could better understand activities carried out by the managers in the area of these NPs.
All respondents from PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik" believe that stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process through public debates. In addition, representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" add that stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process through the availability of planning documents and information exchange with local governments and other stakeholders. The respondent PENPĐ1 points out that "…based on legal obligations, after the formation of the Stakeholders Council and the Expert Council, stakeholders will be more seriously involved in the decision-making process" (PENPĐ1). The respondent PENPĐ4 adds "…every planning document goes to the stakeholders' insight and they have the right to make remarks on every plan" (PENPĐ4).
Also, all representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and most representatives (3) of PE "NP Kopaonik" consider that the most important stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process, because "…demonstrating the needs of the stakeholders enables the harmonization of interests, and joint action on certain activities" (PENPĐ3). In addition, it would be "…easier to carry out activities and activities with stakeholders or local population" (PENPK1). The respondent PENPĐ2 adds that with "…timely reported information about the needs of the stakeholders and their harmonization with the prescribed legal norms, it is possible to elaborate documents on which the government will not have any major objections when granting consent" (PENPĐ2). Respondent PENPĐ5 believes that it is important to include stakeholders in order to "…provide better protection, thereby increasing the number of game status". In contrast, the respondent PENPK2 disagrees that The involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process is organized in a similar manner in both NPs, most often in the form of public debates. Nevertheless, representatives of both NPs believe that, by establishing Stakeholders council, they will be more seriously involved in the decision-making process.

Attitudes of stakeholders' representatives towards cooperation in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik
Within this sub-chapter, the results of the research related to the attitudes of the stakeholders in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik towards the cooperation with the NP managers, as well as between the stakeholders themselves, were analyzed.

Cooperation of stakeholders with NP managers
All respondents from the area of NP Đerdap, as well as the majority of respondents (82.6%) from the area of NP Kopaonik, stated that they had cooperation with NP managers. In addition, most stakeholders' representatives (except CS representatives in the area of NP Kopaonik) are satisfied with the cooperation with the NP managers (Graph 2).
Most of the representatives of PubS (88.9%), PrivS (100%) and CS (100%) in the area of NP Đerdap and all stakeholders in the area of NP Kopaonik believe that there is interest to improve cooperation with the manager (Graph 2).
In the area of both NPs, stakeholders' representatives are mostly not involved in the decision-making process of PE, through consultation, exchange of opinions, public debates, etc. (Graph 2).
Stakeholders from both NPs have similar answers regarding cooperation with NP managers: most of them cooperate with managers, they are satisfied with the cooperation, and they have an interest in improving cooperation. In addition, the results indicate that the "large" number of respondents is not involved in the decision-making process.
Regarding membership in an association in the area of NP Đerdap -only 30.8% of respondents (representatives of PubS and PrivS) are members of All respondents, except one (PSĐ9), who are members of an association in the area of NP Đerdap (for example, Hunting association "Đerdap", NGO "I want! I can!"), emphasize that the association participated in the exchange of information about the work of PE "NP Đerdap", at public debates.
More than half (53.8%) respondents believe that they are "well informed" about the work of PE "NP Đerdap". Nevertheless, in the area of the NP Kopaonik, only 39.1% of the respondents consider themselves "well" and "very well" informed about the work of NP manager (Graph 4).  All representatives of stakeholders in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik stated that they receive the information in direct contact with the employees of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik".

Cooperation among stakeholders in the NP area
In addition to the cooperation with managers, most stakeholders' representatives from the area of both NP cooperate with other organizations (Graph 5).
Most respondents from PubS (88.9% NP Đerdap and 90% of NP Kopaonik) and representatives of SMEs (100% of NP Đerdap and 66.7% of NP Kopaonik) emphasize that they have cooperation with other organizations (Graph 5). PFOs from the area of NP Đerdap are more active in cooperation with other stakeholders than PFOs in NP Kopaonik area (80% NP Đerdap and 50% NP Kopaonik). In addition, there is a difference in the cooperation of CS representatives with other stakeholders between NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik (100% NP Đerdap and 42.2% NP Kopaonik). Most of the respondents from the area of NP Đerdap (80%) are satisfied with the cooperation, but in spite of that, 80.8% of the respondents stated that there is an interest in further cooperation. In NP Kopaonik, all respondents are satisfied with the cooperation, but they also pointed out that there is an interest in improving it.
Based on these results, it can be argued that there is good cooperation between stakeholders in the territory of both NPs, but also that there is an interest in its improvement.
About one-third of respondents (28.6%) in the area of NP Đerdap and slightly less than ½ respondents (46.2%) in the area of NP Kopaonik believes that establishing stakeholders' associations is a precondition for both establishment and promotion of cooperation (Table 5). The respondents from both NPs have similar answers and believe that better communication, information sharing and establishment of associations are necessary to improve the cooperation between stakeholders in both NPs.

Attitudes of the respondents towards the possibilities of improving cooperation
Proposals 11 for improving cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders in the area of both NP are: -improve the knowledge of stakeholders about legislative frameworks and management plans that regulate the work of managers and better informing the general public about the work of NP managers (more intensive promotion of PE activities); -lectures, workshops and meetings between NP managers and stakeholders; -work on projects in the field of nature conservation, promotion of sustainable and eco-tourism, improvement of NP infrastructure, independently and/or in cooperation with relevant institutions, foreign development agencies (e.g. USAID, GIZ, etc.) or international NGOs in the field of nature conservation (e.g. WWF, IUCN, etc.); -study field tours for NP managers and representatives of stakeholders, to learn about sustainable tourism with participation of stakeholders (e.g. WWF Adria, in cooperation with PE "NP Tara"); -information sharing and active participation of stakeholders in creating a strategy for the development of NPs and planning documents; -involvement of NP managers' representatives in the process of drafting local strategic documents and plans (e.g. LEAP, i.e. local environmental action plan, local sustainable development strategy, local action plan for employment, etc.). In order to improve cooperation between stakeholders in the area of both NPs, the following proposals have been defined: 11 The description of defining the proposal is given in Methods -educational lectures on possible ways of cooperation; -establishment of stakeholders' associations, especially from PrivS (PFOs and SMEs in forestry); -joint work on projects in the field of environmental protection, sustainable and eco-tourism, promotion of local products and old crafts, etc. The possibilities of implementation of these proposals were tested in the second phase of data collection, through interviews with representatives of NP managers and stakeholders in both NPs.
Overview 1 shows the matrix of the analysis of the respondents' attitudes towards the proposals for the improvement of cooperation.
The matrix analyzes views related to selected thematic issues ("advocate", "opponent", "indifferent", "not competent"). There are no significant differences in respondents' answers from the NP Kopaonik and NP Đerdap, as well as between the representatives of NP managers and stakeholders.
To enhance cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders, one of the proposals refers to greater transparency in the work of the NP manager, so that the local population and all other stakeholders are familiar with their activities. In addition, it is necessary to organize lectures and meetings between NP managers and stakeholders and to educate NP users and the local community about the legislative frameworks and management plans that regulate the work of PEs, specifically on their rights and obligations, as well as on the rights and obligations of the NP manager. As well, joint work on projects in the field of nature conservation, promotion of sustainable and eco-tourism and improvement of NP infrastructure.
All respondents agreed that the proposals for improving the cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders are good and can be implemented.
In that sense, it can be noted that, regardless of the fact that there is a cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders in the territory of both NPs, the respondents show interest to improve and willingness to implement these proposals. Stakeholders' representatives and managers of both NPs agree that, above all, greater awareness of stakeholders is required, as well as the establishment of the Stakeholders Council. 12 Respondents answered only those questions that were in accordance with their competencies. Thus, the representatives of the NP managers responded to questions related to the improvement of regulatory and institutional frameworks and the improvement of cooperation with the stakeholders. On the other hand, stakeholders' representatives answered questions related to the improvement of regulatory frameworks and cooperation of NP managers and other stakeholders.

Source: authors
In both NPs, there is cooperation between stakeholders, but the number of associations is relatively small. In this sense, it is a common opinion that, first, it is necessary to establish stakeholders' associations. The views of stakeholders' representatives in both NPs indicate an interest in improving cooperation between them. It can also be noted that higher education and awareness of stakeholders on possibilities to improve cooperation is needed.
All stakeholders' representatives from both NPs consider that the proposals for improving the cooperation between stakeholders are good and can be implemented.

Attitudes of experts towards the possibility of implementation of proposals for improving cooperation
Within this sub-chapter, the attitudes of experts ("advocate", "opponent", "indifferent") toward the possibilities of implementing the proposals for improving the cooperation between stakeholders and NP managers were analyzed (Overview 2).
Experts agree that proposals for improving cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders are good and can be implemented in the period of 1-2 years.

Cooperation of the manager with stakeholders in NP
Improve the knowledge of stakeholders about legislative frameworks and management plans that regulate the work of managers and better informing the general public about the work of NP managers (more intensive promotion of PE activities) Lectures, workshops and meetings between NP managers and stakeholders + 1 + 1 Work on projects in the field of nature conservation, promotion of sustainable and eco-tourism, improvement of NP infrastructure, independently and/or in cooperation with relevant institutions, foreign development agencies (e.g. USAID, GIZ, etc.) or international NGOs in the field of nature conservation (e.g. WWF, IUCN, etc.) Study field tours for NP managers and representatives of stakeholders, to learn about sustainable tourism with participation of stakeholders (e.g. WWF Adria, in cooperation with PE "NP Tara") Information sharing and active participation of stakeholders in creating a strategy for the development of NPs and planning documents Involvement of NP managers' representatives in the process of drafting local strategic documents and plans (e.g. LEAP, i.e. local environmental action plan, local sustainable development strategy, local action plan for employment, etc.)

Cooperation of stakeholders in the NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik
Educational lectures on possible ways of cooperation + 1-10 + 1 Establishment of stakeholders' associations, especially from PrivS (PFOs and SMEs in forestry) + 1-10 + 1-3 Joint work on projects in the field of environmental Protection, sustainable and eco-tourism, promotion of local products and old crafts, etc.
Legend: + advocate -opponent +/-indifferent Source: authors They also believe that it is necessary that "…NP managers conduct stakeholders mapping in the area of NP, by applying a methodological procedure, in order to determine the impacts of stakeholders' interest and willingness to be involved in the decision-making process. These conclusions, then, should be used to enhance cooperation" (EIF).
Respondents have different attitudes towards the implementation of proposals for improving cooperation between stakeholders. Respondent EDF believes that they can be implemented in the long-term period (1-10 years), while the EIF expert states that they need to be implemented in a very short time (1-3 years).
The main precondition for the implementation of these proposals is to determine all stakeholders, as well as associations that perform activities in the area of NP. In addition, more communication and cooperation of stakeholders with local governments is needed, where, together with the NP managers, they will organize lectures on improving cooperation and their activities (EDF, EIF). As well, there is a need for financial support from the relevant ministries to implement these proposals through different projects (EDF, EIF).

DISCUSSION
The success of conservation and management of the PA depends on numerous stakeholders, whose activities are related to nature (Tomićević et al., 2005;Nastran, Pirnat, 2012;Jelić, 2016). For this reason, "…the attitude of different stakeholders towards the protected natural asset, as well as toward the protection policy implemented in the PA, is an important element for the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources" (Tomićević et al., 2005) The managers of the NP have to cooperate closely "…with landowners, but also with other stakeholders, and especially with public services (e.g. inspections in agriculture, water management, forestry, fisheries and hunting, environmental protection, utilities, etc.), local, regional or national ecological organizations. Cooperation should be based on a partnership agreement that determines the role and responsibility of each involved partner" (J el i ć, 2016).
In the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik, there is positively assessed cooperation between the management and stakeholders, as well as between stakeholders. Similar results were achieved in previous research in NP Tara (Tomićević et al., 2010; C a n i ć , 2018), and NP Kopaonik (C a n i ć , 2018).
PEs that manage NPs have a specific mode of operation, which is prescribed by the Law on NP (2015), where it is stated that the management plan for the protection of natural assets, as well as the improvement of the environment, must respect the needs of the local communities. Consequently, "…the successful implementation of active and passive measures for the protection of natural assets, the program of its improvement and the development of its functioning depends to a large extent on the support of the local communities in these activities" (Pa n i ć , 2009). Due to the increased public interest in nature conservation issues, "…a need for participative public involvement in managing nature conservation areas grows stronger. The participation of key stakeholders in the planning of natural areas is of vital importance since their interests concerning these areas as well as their ideas of how and why natural values are worth preserving can differ considerably" (N a stran , Pi rn at, 2012).
Previous research has found that PA managers who have "…cooperation with the local community in developing a model of sustainable resource utilization and involving citizens in the management of protected natural assets, have citizens in allies and are in a position to implement a variety of solutions more easily". On the contrary, managers who do not fully respect "…tradition and social and economic needs of the local population will be in constant conflict with the local community, and their results will, accordingly, be much weaker" (NKD, 2017).
The results also indicate that NP managers and stakeholders believe that cooperation should be improved. In this regard, NPs in Croatia can be taken as an example, where stakeholders' councils have been established and where different types of cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders exist. During the development of the management plan, the Public institution "NP Brijuni" carried out the collection of opinions of local communities and all key users, which were taken into account in the preparation of strategic plans and programs. In addition, numerous workshops and meetings with all stakeholders were held (2017/a). In order to find a common interest, improve cooperation and develop sustainable tourism in the area of NP Kornati, NP manager has established a "Council for the development of sustainable tourism", where stakeholders participated in the creation of a Strategy for sustainable tourism. The council consisted of representatives of municipalities, the ministry responsible for tourism, PrivS (local product producers, tourist agencies, shipping companies, diving centres, agricultural cooperatives) and CS (local and regional associations) (2017/b). Workshops and meetings have been held in other NPs in Croatia (the other example is a meeting initiated by the local population, in the presence of representatives of local communities and Public institution "NP Krka". At the meeting, it was agreed that the owners of real estates, gathered in associations, with the help of experts, will elaborate a study on the needs and the way of development of the settlements they live in, which, as an expert basis, can enter the program guidelines for the development of the spatial plan (2017/c).
In the process of managing PAs, "…it is important to have constant communication of managers with all stakeholders. It is extremely important that all NP users are informed about the process of developing a management plan and have the opportunity to express their wishes and opinions. It is equally important that the NP managers regularly inform the public about the progress of the work and the problems of conservation. For important decisions, the public should be informed in advance and participation of local authorities should be encouraged" (J e l i ć , 2016). Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that all respondents from NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik most often come to information about the work of managers by employees in PE.
The participation of numerous stakeholders in the PAs' management "…has become a widely accepted principle of work in PA management authorities" (M a r t i n i ć , 2010). The need for inclusion of stakeholders was also highlighted by Stanciu and Ioniţă (2014) in their study on the management of PAs in 12 countries of Eastern Europe. For instance, to improve governance by government, "…the need for stakeholder involvement is considered more and more important and beneficial and mechanisms for participatory management are developed, due to its contribution to improving both PA management and governance and to create synergies between different sectors, thus underpinning overall sustainable development" (S tan ci u , Io n i ţă, 2014).
The attitude of the local population towards "…conservation of natural resources can be improved by increasing the benefits, i.e. by obtaining benefits by supporting conservation measures and by involving local communities directly in the decision-making process" (Tomićević et al., 2005). Previous research on this topic shows that "…the lack of participation of all stakeholders in decision-making, and in particular the absence of the landowners, is a real problem in countries in transition" (M i l i j i ć et al., 2009). The possibility of conflict imposes the need for a model that will ensure the harmonization of sustainable management of forests in private ownership with prescribed conservation measures (M i l i j i ć et al., 2009). Therefore, "…increasing the participation of the local population in the management of NP can increase their support and promote sustainability" (Tomićević et al., 2010).
In the previous period in Serbia, "…despite the need for the involvement of the local population in the process of participation and cooperation…" there was "…a centralized approach in planning and management of PAs" (To m i ć e v i ć et al., 2005). However, recent research on this problem indicates positive changes in terms of involving stakeholders, primarily the local population, in the process of managing PAs in Serbia (To mi ćevi ć et al., 2010;Jelić, 2016;Đorđević, 2017). The conducted research indicates that stakeholders are partially involved in the decision-making process through public debates, availability of planning documents and exchange of information. However, the majority of stakeholders' representatives felt that they did not participate in the decision-making process. Besides that, they were satisfied with the cooperation with NP managers. Similar results were achieved in the research carried out in NP Tara, where "…78.5% of the respondents expressed their desire to be involved in the management of the National Park Tara". Despite that, "…the attitude of the local community towards cooperation and participation with the administration of the NP was positive" (Tomićević et al., 2005).
The conducted research indicates that only 30.8% of respondents in the area of NP Đerdap and 16% in the area of NP Kopaonik are members of some association, which indicates that there is a relatively small number of memberships in the different association. Previous research has found that one of the key aspects of cooperation "…between the local population and the PA managers is a partnership, by which different stakeholders agree to share the management function, rights and responsibilities for a given territory or certain natural protected resources" (J e l i ć , 2016). In addition, the creation of networks and associations, civil society and other stakeholders provides access to important information, knowledge and resources (Xu e et al., 2018), i.e. increases their efficiency (S a f f e r, 2019) in decision-making processes. This research found that the establishment of an association is one of the main preconditions for improving the cooperation of NP managers and stakeholders. By forming an organized system of cooperation, i.e. association, stakeholders would be very familiar with the activities, projects, plans of the NP, and they could participate in joint projects.

CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions regarding the representatives of PE "NP Đerdap" and PE "NP Kopaonik" are: -there is a cooperation of NP managers with PubS, PrivS and CS, with which the respondents are satisfied, but there is an interest in improving it; -cooperation with PubS exists in the form of consultations, decision-making, as well as in relation to the management of the NP; -cooperation with the PrivS is realized during the sale of wood (both NP managers), extension services (both NP managers), wood harvesting (PE "NP Kopaonik"), and protection of forests and game (PE "NP Đerdap"); -cooperation with CS is taking place in the form of providing tourist offer, organizing events, protection of game and fish fund and improving hunting and fishing tourism (PE "NP Đerdap"), summer tourism, mushroom protection and education of population (PE "NP Kopaonik"); -the main preconditions for better cooperation are, first of all, acquaintance with legal possibilities and limitations, the establishment of associations in order to implement jointly planned activities, as well as the establishment of the Stakeholders Council, as this would achieve better communication; information on the work of NP managers are provided at meetings, public debates and presentations, and stakeholders believe they are "well" and "very well" informed about this; -NP managers' representatives stressed that stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process through public discussions, exchange of information, and availability of planning documents; -NP managers' representatives consider that the most important stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process; -NP managers' representatives agree that the proposals for improving cooperation with stakeholders are good and can be implemented. Conclusions regarding the representatives of stakeholders in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik are: there is a relatively small number of stakeholders membership in associations in both NPs; -there are differences in the assessment of the information about the work of the NP managers between stakeholders' representative in NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik; all respondents in both NPs receive information about the work of NP managers in direct contact with PEs' employees; all respondents in both NPs have cooperation with the NP manager; most stakeholders' representatives in both NPs are satisfied with the work of NP manager; most stakeholders' representatives in both NPs have an interest in improving cooperation with PE; the involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process is "very low" in both NPs; most stakeholders' representatives in both NPs want to be involved in the decision-making process, as they consider it necessary for the development of the area; -stakeholders' representatives from the area of both NPs are satisfied with the cooperation with other organizations from all sectors, but consider that it can be improved; all stakeholders' representatives from the area of both NP agree that the proposals for improving cooperation are good and can be implemented.
Conclusion regarding the attitudes of experts is that the proposals for improving the cooperation between NP managers and stakeholders, as well as cooperation between stakeholders, are good and can be implemented.
The following recommendations that should be taken into account when improving the cooperation between the NP managers and stakeholders, as well as between stakeholders themselves: participation in joint projects between managers and stakeholders; inclusion of all stakeholders in the decision-making process, and start-up of the work of the Stakeholders' councils, in order to make stakeholders more seriously involved in the decision-making process; to define concrete ways of functioning of the Stakeholders' councils, because the NP manager and stakeholders would have the correct guidelines for the functioning of the Stakeholders' councils; an acquaintance of stakeholders with legal possibilities and limitations, educating the local population, and raising awareness about the possibilities of cooperation with the acquaintance and highlighting the advantages of such cooperation; improvement of the quality and frequency of communication of all sectors, and NP managers; establishment of an association of SMEs, as well as the PFOs, as it would improve their activities, in order to conduct jointly planned activities; at the same time, production and selling of their products would be increased. The joint work of the NP managers' and all stakeholders in the area of NP Đerdap and NP Kopaonik needs to recognize the natural potentials for providing tourist offer, which would enable the increase in the number of tourists, as well as the development of new ideas and innovations for the use of natural resources.
Recommendations for further research are related to conducting similar research in other NPs in Serbia. In addition, it is necessary to examine possibilities for cooperation between NP managers in Serbia, as well as stakeholders in all NPs. It is also necessary to define a system of cooperation of the stakeholders with managers, as well as the cooperation of all NPs in Serbia.