Northern Forests Initiative: Restoration in North Macedonia and Albania

Name of the project:

“Northern Forests Initiative: Restoration in North Macedonia and Albania”

Geographical Area:

The wider focus area of the project will be in the Bukovikj area for Macedonia and the Pashtrik-Morina area for Albania. These areas are at the crossroads between several protected areas in both countries, including the recently established Shar Mountain National Park, Jasen Nature Reserve, Mavrovo National Park, Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, Munella Nature Park, and the Albanian Alps National Park. These surrounding protected areas will be involved in the project as well within stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities to address forest management issues and improve the capacities for adequate protection.

Project Partners:

IUCN will involve two strong national organizations as implementing partners, Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) and the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES).

Project Expected Results:

– Forest landscape restoration solutions for Albania and North Macedonia

– Improved knowledge and capacities for forest restoration and sustainable management

– Increased commitment to forest restoration and sustainable management

Purpose:

The overall objective of the project: is to contribute toward preventing further net loss of forests in Albania and North Macedonia through initiating restoration work in key biodiversity landscapes and strengthening capacities and commitments toward sustainable forest management.