Tirana, Albania, November 28, 2024 – Forests are essential to life, yet Albania and North Macedonia are grappling with alarming rates of forest degradation. The Northern Forests Initiative: Restoration of Forests in North Macedonia and Albania aims to restore biodiversity-rich areas through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
On November 26-27, 2024, a national workshop was held in Tirana, bringing together experts from IUCN, MES, and PPNEA, central and local government officials, forestry experts, civil society members and community representatives. The event focused, among others, on the project and its next steps for implementation. This initiative, financially supported by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, is being implemented by IUCN’s Regional Office for Southeast Europe and Central Asia, with local partners PPNEA in Albania and MES in North Macedonia.
The project targets the Pashtrik-Morinë area in Albania and the Bukovikj region in North Macedonia, both near critical protected areas, including:
- Korab-Koritnik Nature Park
- Munella Nature Park
- Albanian Alps National Park
- Shar Mountain National Park
- Mavrovo National Park
These regions, renowned for their rich biodiversity, have been severely impacted by forest loss. Over the past two decades, Albania has lost 6.5% of its forest cover, while North Macedonia has seen a 5.5% decline. This degradation threatens highly endangered species, such as the Balkan lynx.
To combat deforestation, the project employs methodologies like Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), with goals such as:
- Strengthening local capacity for forest restoration and management
- Restoring forest landscapes to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Promoting regional cooperation to combat environmental crimes and support sustainable forest practices
The workshop highlighted the critical importance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) as essential strategies for reversing ecosystem degradation. Participants stressed that these approaches are key for the protection of environmental health and supporting the well-being of local communities. Additionally, the need for strengthened regional collaboration to combat environmental crimes and illegal logging was strongly emphasized.
Abdulla Diku, an expert in sustainable forest management (SFM), provided recommendations for improving forest management practices in Albania and the Western Balkans. Key suggestions include:
- Increasing funding and support for the forestry sector
- Adopting Close-to-Nature Forest Management (CNFM), integrating climate change adaptation and carbon management into forest strategies
- Participating in regional SFM initiatives through EU agreements and cooperation mechanisms
- Integrating forest biodiversity assessments into national policies
The workshop also proposed practical steps to improve forest health, including promoting natural regeneration and developing multi-purpose forest management plans that benefit both communities and biodiversity.
Forests play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance and offer numerous benefits, including:
- Retaining 7-20% of rainfall and slowly releasing it into the atmosphere or filtering it into the soil
- Reducing the cost of storm impact by up to 15-20%
- Increasing property value by 1% for each tree grown
- Producing oxygen and mitigating the effects of climate change
- Preventing erosion and improving water quality
- Housing 80% of terrestrial biodiversity
The Northern Forests Initiative represents an important step in restoring and protecting these ecosystems for future generations.
About the Project
The Northern Forests Initiative is a collaborative effort aimed at restoring forest ecosystems in Albania and North Macedonia, to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable forest management practices. The initiative seeks to ensure long-term environmental and social benefits through scientific innovation, local engagement, and regional cooperation.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Lorena Pyze Xhafaj
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Email: [email protected]
