The official launch of the UNESCO IDCK will take place in Postojna, Slovenia under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, and under the patronage of UNESCO, with the support and cooperation of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, Postojnska jama, Škocjanske jame, the municipalities of Postojna and Pivka, and the Slovenian Speleological Association.
MUNDUS SPELAEUS – 18th EuroSpeleo Forum & Meeting of Croatian Speleologists – Pazin 2026 will take place in the Town of Pazin, Istria, Croatia, from 13 to 15 November 2026.
This year, Croatia will host the international EuroSpeleo Forum for the first time. As Europe’s leading speleological event, the Forum is celebrating its 18th edition this year.
The event is organized under the auspices of the European Speleological Federation (FSE) and is supported by the Croatian Speleological Federation (HSS), the Commission for Speleology of the Croatian Mountaineering Association (KS HPS), and the City of Pazin.
The organizer of the Meeting of Croatian Speleologists is the Speleological Society Istra – Pazin. Co-organizers are the Estavela Speleological Association, the Karlovac Speleological Society, and the Ursus spelaeus Speleological Club from Karlovac.
See for the location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j18yFRUvvnCHw4A66
Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula, located in the northeastern Adriatic Sea, and is widely recognized throughout Europe.. The region is a well-known tourist destination, renowned for its karst landscapes and its long tradition of exploration, dating back to the very beginnings of modern European speleology.
The EuroSpeleo Forum and the Meeting of Croatian Speleologists are two events combined into one, attracting numerous cavers, friends of speleology, enthusiasts, and nature lovers from across Croatia and Europe. The aim of the event is to bring together explorers, scientists, and enthusiasts to exchange experiences and present the results of new research, strengthen cooperation among European speleological federations and clubs, promote knowledge sharing and standardization, and support the development of common ethical codes and technical standards for the exploration and protection of caves and karst features.
By attending MUNDUS SPELAEUS, you become part of a unique speleological community where, through lectures, images, words, and films, you can experience the mysterious underground world in which scientific discoveries and adventure merge into an unforgettable experience, creating lifelong passion and friendships. This event is dedicated to all aspects of speleology and is equally valuable to scientists, experienced cavers, beginners, and supporters of speleology, offering interesting lectures and activities for everyone.
More information is to be found on the event website: https://www.speleo.hr/mundus-spelaeus-en/
FSE scholarships to encourage young cavers to attend the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum in Pazin, Croatia from 13-15 November 2026
The annual EuroSpeleo Forum is a unique opportunity to discover karst areas around Europe, exchange knowledge about recent karst research, discoveries and cave protection activities on an international level. But most importantly, it is the place to become part of the European speleological community, where old and new friends as well as different generations of cave enthusiasts meet. It is the place to get connected to Speleology in Europe.
For this reason the FSE supports especially the attendance of young speleologists active in caving, karst research or karst protection to the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum in 2026 in Croatia.
The FSE grants two scholarships to young speleologists for attending the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum in Pazin, Istria, Croatia.
Information on the EuroSpeleo Forum can be found here: https://www.speleo.hr/mundus-spelaeus-en/
The requirements are:
a) Applicants must be affiliated to an organisation being member of FSE (via your local club)
b) Applicants must be 26 years of age or younger. You must be at least 18 years old when signing and sending in the application form.
c) Applicants are required to send an application form and a letter of recommendation to the FSE.
Each scholarship is up to a maximum of EUR 500. Details, including the deadline, will be specified on the application form to be downloaded here:
https://www.eurospeleo.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FSE_Scholarship_2026.pdf
Please send your application by e-mail as soon as possible to contact@eurospeleo.eu
The France HABE Prize is presented annually by the International Union of Speleology (UIS).
To ensure that the absent-minded and those running late don’t end up kicking themselves, the deadline for submitting applications has been extended to 30 June 2026.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
All the relevant information is available here: https://uis-speleo.org/index.php/karst-and-cave-protection-commission/
THANKS TO:
The manufacturers of caving equipment
RESSEG
https://www.instagram.com/resseg
and
BARHAR
https://www.barharrescue.com/collections/bags
who are once again partnering with the UIS to reward the winner even more generously.
Subterranean Myths
The 1st International Arts & Letters Contest | 2026
This contest is a creative call to all cavers, speleologists, and karst explorers at heart who see the underground world not only as a place of exploration but as a source of artistic inspiration. Whether you are a scientist documenting the depths or an explorer shaped by the silence of the cave, we invite you to share your unique perspective.
Theme: “Subterranean Myths” – Artistic Reflections of the Karst World
Tagline: Below the Surface, Beyond Imagination
The Arts and Letters Committee is proud to announce its first international call for entries. This contest is an invitation to explore the world beneath our feet through the lens of creativity.
Concept: What are “Subterranean Myths”?
This theme goes beyond ancient folklore. We invite you to reflect on the deep human connection to the underground environment, blending scientific reality with poetic intuition.
This includes:
Categories & Constraints:
Recognition and Awards
Blind Judging: All entries will be evaluated by an international jury in a blind judging process to ensure complete impartiality.
International Exposure: Winning entries will be featured on official UIS social media channels.
Permanent Archive: Winners will be showcased in a dedicated gallery on the Committee’s website.
Official Certification: Winners will receive a certificate signed by the UIS President and the Committee Chair.
Official Announcement: Results will be announced during the annual UIS meetings, and certificates will be presented in person at the next International Congress.
Submission Rules & Guidelines
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: 15 July, 2026.
Announcement of Results: First half of August 2026.
How to Submit:
For full details and to submit your work, please visit our official portal:
https://forms.gle/tFdY22bogdHUTDmi9
Note: If you encounter any technical issues with the portal or do not wish to use a Google account, please contact us at speleo.artsandletters@gmail.com for an alternative PDF submission form.
The international speleological exploration expedition Grind 2025 took place in the Piatra Craiului Massif over multiple stages, including a preparatory trip in September, a main 19–day expedition (26 September – 14 October), and a follow-up trip (12–17 November). During the expedition, exploration continued in Avenul de sub Vârful Grind, resulting in new discoveries beyond the 2024 terminus and further extending the Romanian national cave depth record, previously increased during previous expeditions in the same cave.
The objective of the project was the continued exploration of Avenul de sub Vârful Grind, a predominantly vertical alpine cave, with a focus on extending the cave in the terminal sector and improving logistical infrastructure for deep exploration.
From the 2024 terminus point at –801 m, teams extended exploration to an estimated depth of –807 m following rock removal and passage enlargement.
In parallel, exploration also continued from the level of the former sump at –775 m, where teams resumed the digging and passage enlargement of a horizontal passage. Beyond this section, a new parallel section was explored (100 m long), leading to a new sump at –815 m, which is the new terminus.
During 12–17 November 2025, a follow-up trip to Avenul de sub Vârful Grind resumed exploration in the terminal area. Survey of the newly discovered passages resulted in a depth of 815 m, confirming a new national depth record for Romania, with 100 m of new passages between the former sump at –775 m and the new sump at –815 m.
Beyond the discovery of new passages and the establishment of a new national depth record, the exploration of Avenul de sub Vârful Grind is also contributing valuable geological and hydrogeological information regarding the internal structure of the Piatra Craiului Massif.
Read the full report.
Announcement: Call for Entries
Through your lens, give a voice to the silent guardians and illuminate the hidden soul of the karst.
Dear colleagues, dear friends,
We are glad to inform you that the first Call for speleological events support in 2026 is open! Granted can be international expeditions or other events focused on the exploration, study, or protection of caves and karst, with an emphasis on educational, technical, and/or scientific cooperation.
UIS Bureau especially encourages young cavers and scientists to submit proposals for their projects, and the Bureau will take these submissions into preference consideration.
All requests should contain a description of the proposed event as detailed as you think is important for understanding the aims of your project, the purpose for which the funds will be used, and show explicitly that the proposed event is in line with the Statutes, Internal Regulations, and Code of Ethics of the UIS. Requests that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.
For speleological expeditions, participants must be from at least 3 different countries, one of which is recommended to be the host country where the project will be conducted.
Detailed conditions and more details about speleological events support can be found in Speleological Events Support Guidelines on https://uis-speleo.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/03/Speleological-Events-Support-Guidelines-Version-2-September-2019.pdf or please, do not hesitate to ask UIS Vice-President of Administration Mario Parise at mario.parise@uniba.it
The deadline for this Call is June 12, 2026.
All requests received till the deadline will be evaluated by the UIS Bureau, and the best projects will be supported. For this Call, the UIS Bureau decided to dedicate a maximum amount of 3000 EUR, meaning that this total amount can be split between all supported projects. All requests received after the deadline will not be accepted, but can be submitted for the next call.
Unlike what is reported in the Speleological Event Support Guidelines, please send all requests to the UIS before the deadline to Adjunct Secretary Marc Mentens at marcbingcacao@gmail.com and Adjunct Secretary Allan Calux at ascalux@gmail.com (in CC).
Before submitting, please ensure that:
1) The proposal and all supporting documents are submitted in a single PDF file.
2) The proposal includes a statement from the applicant(s) that the proposed event meets the Statutes, Internal Regulations, and Code of Ethics of the UIS;
3) The proposal states the amount of funding requested and the purpose for which the funds will be used.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their proposals in mid-July.
Mario Parise
UIS Vice-President of Administration
At the General Assembly of the European Speleological Federation FSE on the 16th April 2026 the Czech Republic was accepted as a new member country. They were unanimously warmly welcomed into the FSE family by the other member countries. The FSE now has 32 members.
The Czech Republic will be represented to the FSE by the Czech Speleological Society (Česká Speleologická Společnost) with the new delegates Michal Hejna and Markéta Jakovenko. The Czech Speleological Society represents 59 clubs with over 1.200 cavers. We thank the board of the Czech Speleological Society to have taken the step to apply for the FSE membership.
We all look forward to a good cooperation with our Czech colleagues and hope that their membership will lead to many mutual speleological activities.
The Karst and Cave Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS) is pleased to announce the opening of the France HABE Prize 2026.
The prize is named in memory and in honor of Dr. France HABE from Slovenia (Yugoslavia), Past President of the Protection Department of the UIS (1973 -1997).
The purpose of this prize endowed with 300€ is to promote the protection of karst and caves. Their natural heritage is an increasingly rich source of proven information on the history of our planet and of humanity, allowing us to act in a more thoughtful, effective and sustainable way for the future of our environment.
This year the prize is supported by RESSEG and BARHAR.
The deadline to submit for the France Habe Prize 2026 is May 20, 2026.
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the events marking the first celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst, to be held in Postojna, Slovenia, from 10 to 13 September 2026.
These events represent the symbolic and official launch of the global observance of the International Day of Caves and Karst, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2025. Please find attached the invitation and the preliminary programme of events, which will be held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, and under the patronage of UNESCO, with the support and cooperation of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, Postojna Cave, Škocjan Caves Park, the Municipality of Postojna, the Municipality of Pivka, and the Speleological Association of Slovenia.
For more information and registration for the scientific conference and the official ceremony in Postojna Cave, please visit:
https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/en/dogodki/international-day-of-caves-and-karst-idck
Information on registration for the accompanying events, along with their detailed programs, will follow.
We look forward to your participation and to celebrating the beginning of this important global initiative together.
Kind regards,
Nadja Zupan Hajna
on behalf of the Organizing Committee
Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU and International Union of Speleology (UIS)
We are glad to share with you Volume 67-2 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded by clicking on the link: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/UIS-Bulletin-67-2-final.pdf
The 117 pages of this issue bring the following topics:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Editorial
• President’s Column
• International Day of Caves and Karst
• 19th International Congress of Speleology 2025
• UIS Bureau 2025–2029
• Minutes of the UIS Bureau Meetings
• “Above and Below”: Barry Lawrence Ruderman Conference
• List of UIS Commissions and Working Groups
• List of Member Countries
We appreciate your comments and suggestions to improve upcoming issues.
The competition was organized by TETIDE APS as a EuroSpeleo project , in collaboration with European Children and Young Cavers (ECYC) , the EuroSpeleoForum CAPOVOLTA , and with the support of the European Speleological Federation (FSE) . The aim is to encourage submissions of images and works that creatively represent underground environments, promoting environmental education and awareness of the importance of underground ecosystems and conservation efforts worldwide.
The competition featured five primary categories:
Cavers from 9 countries participated in the competition with 37 works.
Read the full report.
It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label “EuroSpeleo Protection 2026” from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).
The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.
With what kind of projects can you apply?
The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member of the FSE can apply.
What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?
There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to protection@eurospeleo.eu before 30th of April 2026, in English language.
The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organisation, i.e. a letter of support from the national organisation, member of the FSE.
The reward for the label 2026 is 800.- EUR plus caving gear from our FSE-sponsor Aventure-Verticale.
Please refer to the ESPL-Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at: https://www.eurospeleo.eu/ECPC/espl/
best regards,
Jean-Claude Thies
ECPC President
European Cave Protection Commission
Fédération Spéléologique Européenne asbl
It is with great pleasure that the European Speleological Federation (FSE) publishes the next EuroSpeleo Newsletter of January 2026. This Newsletter will be exclusively available in electronic form and it will be distributed through the FSE mailing lists, website, Facebook and Instagram page. It is edited by the FSE Bureau and will inform member countries and individual speleologists about important events nationally and internationally as well as new developments and the initiatives of the FSE and its member countries. This Newsletter will be released on an occasional basis.
Please spread this newsletter on the broadest way possible among caving clubs and individual speleologists and all those interested.
You can download the English version of the January 2026 newsletter and the French version of the Bulletin d’Information EuroSpeleo janvier 2026.
With cordial regards,
The FSE Bureau, January 2026
First Celebration of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK),
proclaimed by UNESCO
Postojna, Slovenia: 10–13 September 2026
Following the proclamation of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK) by UNESCO, the first official celebration is planned to take place in Postojna, Slovenia, in September 2026.
The central date of the celebration will be 13 September 2026, with a series of scientific and outreach events planned in the days leading up to it.
Preliminary programme outline (subject to confirmation):
Details regarding the conference programme, invited speakers, co-organisers and registration will be announced in due course.
Organisers (preliminary):
We warmly invite all supporters of the International Day of Caves and Karst initiative, as well as the wider scientific, educational and policy communities, to save the date. A formal announcement, registration form and detailed programme will follow.
Nadja Zupan Hajna
For the Organizers
Postojna, 14.1.2026
Further information will be available on the websites: https://uis-speleo.org/; https://www.caveskarstday.org/; https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/en
At the General Conference of UNESCO in Samarkand (12 November 2025), 13 September was officially proclaimed the International Day of Caves and Karst — a global recognition of the significance of the hidden world beneath our feet.
The initiative was proposed to UNESCO by the Republic of Slovenia, following the proposal of the International Union of Speleology (UIS), in close cooperation with the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, the Permanent Delegation of Slovenia to UNESCO, and the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, where the UIS headquarters has been based in Postojna, Slovenia.
Caves and karst cover nearly one quarter of the Earth’s land surface and provide drinking water to over a billion people. They preserve unique subterranean biodiversity, geological archives, and invaluable cultural heritage. Yet, they remain among the least understood and most fragile ecosystems on our planet.
The International Day of Caves and Karst will help raise global awareness, promote research, education, and international cooperation in science, environmental protection, culture, and sustainable tourism.
The UIS warmly thanks all UNESCO Member States that supported the initiative, as well as the UNESCO scientific programmes (IGGP, MAB, IHP) and international partners including the International Science Council (ISC), IUCN, and more than 150 organisations worldwide that endorsed the proposal. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia to UNESCO in Paris for their dedicated diplomatic efforts and continuous support.
From now on, September 13 will unite the global cave and karst community in celebrating and protecting these vital landscapes — for science, for nature, and for humanity.
Don’t forget, in 2026 we will celebrate the first ever International Day of Caves and Karst on 13 September!
Nadja Zupan Hajna, UIS Past President
November, 2025
The international cave diving expedition Punar u Luci 2025 was organized by the Caving Department of CMC St. Michael from Šibenik.
The expedition was held from May till September while the central part was held in the period from August 15th to August 24th. During the main part of the expedition, 77 cavers from five countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Uruguay and Germany, gathered with the aim of transporting heavy diving equipment to the 1st sump. This required technical climbing of several chimneys, searching the surface for new entrances and exploring new found pits.
The expedition was divided in three main parts; a pre-expedition where the cave had to be rigged to a bivouac and searching of the area to discover new entrances. In the main part of the expedition a diving team was formed, together with a transport team and base camp team. The part of the cave between the bivouac and the sump was equipped with ropes and anchor points. The transportation team transported more than 500 kilograms of diving, bivouac and technic equipment and food and also installed a CaveLink communication system. The post-expedition part was for derigging and cleaning the cave of everything that was left.
Despite cave divers not reaching the 2nd sump the caving team surveyed more than 1 km of new passages above chimneys in the Punar u Luci pit and a new cave Paležinka to a depth of -191 m with 345 m length.
This Euro Speleo Project was sponsored by the European Speleological Federation and Aventure Verticale equipment from France.
Read the full report.
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