European Green Belt: Vital Pastures in the Sharr, Korab-Koritnik, Mavrovo Transboundary Region

The project “European Green Belt: Vital Pastures in the Sharr, Korab-Koritnik, Mavrovo Transboundary Region” aims to promote the sustainable management and restoration of vital pastures in the Sharr / Korab-Koritnik / Mavrovo transboundary region. The project will focus on strengthening knowledge, capacities and practices for the sustainable management and restoration of pastures, through the demonstration of effective restoration and management approaches, as well as the promotion of evidence-based recommendations for the replication, implementation and scaling-up of successful practices by relevant stakeholders and decision-makers.

An important component of the project will be assessing the current situation and condition of pastures, reviewing existing management plans and implementing concrete measures to restore 30 ha of mountain pastures. These interventions will contribute to improving pasture management and restoration practices, while strengthening knowledge of the condition, biodiversity values and management needs of these ecosystems.

The project will also focus on strengthening the capacity of farmers for the sustainable cultivation and marketing of endangered plant species. In this context, support will be provided through knowledge transfer, product promotion and targeted grants for the cultivation of endangered plants, with the aim of reducing pressure on wild plant populations and providing alternatives to unsustainable wild collection.

The project approach will also include assessing existing subsidy schemes and strengthening advocacy for pasture protection, as well as promoting the allocation of subsidies towards more nature-friendly practices. In parallel, environmental awareness-raising and educational activities will be carried out to highlight the ecological and cultural importance of pastures, traditional pasture-use practices and the importance of endangered plant species.

The project will further promote cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange through joint activities in the project area and the exchange of knowledge and experience among project partners, local stakeholders and international networks.

To achieve these aims, the project has the following specific objectives:

To improve knowledge of the condition, biodiversity values and management needs of vital pastures in the Sharr / Korab-Koritnik / Mavrovo region;
To improve pasture management and restoration practices, including the implementation of pilot measures to restore 30 ha of mountain pastures;
To strengthen farmers’ capacity for the sustainable cultivation and marketing of endangered plant species through knowledge transfer, support and targeted grants;
To reduce pressure on endangered plant populations by promoting sustainable cultivation as an alternative to unsustainable wild collection;
To strengthen policy, advocacy and subsidy schemes supporting the protection, restoration and nature-friendly management of mountain pastures;
To increase environmental awareness and education among local communities, farmers and relevant stakeholders on the ecological and cultural importance of mountain pastures and endangered plant species;
To strengthen cross-border cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience among Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

Increased knowledge and understanding of the condition, biodiversity values and management needs of vital pastures in the Sharr / Korab-Koritnik / Mavrovo region;
Improved pasture management and restoration practices, including the restoration of 30 ha of mountain pastures;
Increased capacity of farmers for the sustainable cultivation and marketing of endangered plant species through targeted grants and market-oriented approaches;
Reduced threats to the endangered plant species targeted by the project through the improvement of their habitats;
Strengthened policy, advocacy and subsidy frameworks supporting the protection, restoration and nature-friendly management of mountain pastures;
Increased environmental awareness and education among local communities, farmers and relevant stakeholders on the ecological and cultural importance of mountain pastures and endangered plant species;
Strengthened cross-border cooperation and support for the replication and scaling-up of successful approaches in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

PROJECT PARTNERS:

EuroNatur (EN) – Germany, Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) – North Macedonia, and CNVP – Kosovo.

DURATION:

36 months.

PROJECT GOAL:

To promote the sustainable management and restoration of vital pastures in the Sharr, Korab-Koritnik, Mavrovo transboundary region