In Pashtrik-Morina, a region of outstanding natural value in northern Albania, a meaningful step is being taken to restore greenery, biodiversity, and the ecological functions of degraded forests and pastures.
As part of the Northern Forest Initiative, two cooperation agreements have been signed with the companies Lurimi Shpk and Nord Invest, selected to implement restoration works in the municipalities of Has and Tropoja respectively.
This marks one of the first concrete steps toward the recovery of natural forests in northern Albania, aiming to strengthen environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the protection of endangered species—such as the Balkan lynx, one of Europe’s rarest mammals.
What do the on-ground interventions involve?
Between June and November 2025, Lurimi Shpk and Nord Invest will implement a series of restoration measures designed to regenerate natural habitats and restore ecological balance in the Pashtrik-Morina area:
- Afforestation of degraded areas, impacted by uncontrolled logging or wildfires
- Creation and improvement of natural pastures, to enhance soil functionality and carrying capacity
- Restoration of existing forests and improvement of forest structure, offering better shelter for local biodiversity
- Involvement of local communities in restoration efforts, reinforcing the link between nature conservation and sustainable development
The Northern Forest Initiative, supported by IUCN ECARO and the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, focuses on restoring degraded forest landscapes in northern Albania and North Macedonia. It addresses multiple interconnected challenges:
- Biodiversity loss
- Soil erosion and environmental degradation
- Impacts of climate change
- The need to strengthen coexistence between communities and nature
Through forest restoration, pasture improvement, and sustainable land management, the project contributes to the protection of ecological corridors, the conservation of endangered species, and the improvement of quality of life for local communities.
Learn more:
Below you can find the awarded service call permits for Lurimi Shpk and Nord Invest, which also outline the specific restoration interventions to be implemented in Has and Tropoja.
The permits for the service call in Has Municipality
PROJECT: CONSTRUCTION OF DOUBLE FENCE FOR LAND PROTECTION.pdf
PROJECT: FOREST IMPROVEMENT.pdf
PROJECT: IMPROVEMENT OR ESTABLISHMENT OF PASTURE.pdf
The permits for the service call in Tropojë Municipality
PROJECT: CONSTRUCTION OF DOUBLE FENCE FOR LAND PROTECTION.pdf
PROJECT: IMPROVEMENT OR ESTABLISHMENT OF PASTURE.pdf
With these first steps on the ground, the roots of restoration are being planted with care and hope in Pashtrik-Morina. We wish both companies great success in carrying out these interventions, which aim to bring back greenery, life, and hope to this precious landscape.
