On November 3rd, 2023, in Mavrovo (North Macedonia), in front of donors, implementors, and beneficiaries, a big event brought together project stakeholders for the “Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shar, and the Albanian Alps" project, implemented by CNVP and funded by PONT. During the event, 13 grantees (local organisations) signed agreements with CNVP to implement a variety of local projects around environmental and biodiversity protection, sustainable use of natural resources, non-timber forest products and nature-based tourism.

The event was addressed by Nehat Ramadani, Director of CNVP, Ms. Hristina Odžaklieska, Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of North Macedonia, and Mirjam De Koning, Executive Director of PONT.

At the start of the event, Nehat Ramadani, director of CNVP North Macedonia, emphasised “PONT, is our strategic donor, and we are working together side by side on a few projects, including this important transnational project that brought us to this event”. He added that through project activities, we are trying to protect nature and use natural resources in a sustainable manner. “The aim is to keep the population in the villages and stop outmigration, to enable inhabitants in mountain villages to live a dignified life, to keep especially the young people in their homes, but to teach them how to live in harmony with nature”

"I am glad that the project "Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shara and the Albanian Alps", financially supported by PONT, will be implemented regionally. I sincerely hope that through the provided support to the local communities, socio-economic development will be initiated in the Polog and Mavrovo regions, and will provide direct support to local non-governmental organizations, protected areas, municipalities, small and medium enterprises and other local communities operating in the region. ", stated the Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Hristina Odzaklieska in the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of the support and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders at the regional level in achieving the sustainable management of the protected areas that we share with neighboring countries.

Mirjam De Koning, Executive Director of PONT, also addressed the audience highlighting "The area hosting us today is so beautiful because of the traditional way of living and agriculture by the local people. To preserve the biodiversity, it is very important to provide incentives to the local communities so that they can continue maintaining this extraordinary landscape. PONT thanks the team of CNVP for all the work done. We know how much work such a process is. PONT congratulates all the winners of this open call for proposals and is looking forward to the results. Good luck to all! “

The subgranting scheme is one of the project components to join efforts with local organisations to achieve the above mentioned project goals. From the first public call by CNVP in North Macedonia, the 13 subgranting beneficiaries (will receive a total of 160,000 euros of direct financial support. In addition to this, co-financing from beneficiaries is assured. Subgranting beneficiaries are local organisations with roots in the protected areas of the National Park Shar Mountains and the National Park Mavrovo. Subgrantees have underwent a highly competitive selection process, during the open call for applications held on July 10, 2023.

Individual agreements were signed with each beneficiary followed by an exhibition of all the 13 subgrantee projects. The exhibition provided each of the grantees with the opportunity to briefly present their project, its main activities, and the expected results. The purpose of the exhibition was to have direct interactive communication between beneficiaries and guests, providing an opportunity to learn thoroughly about the 13 projects to be implemented in the protected areas of Shar and Mavrovo.

From today, the commitment of CNVP North Macedonia to environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, and nature-based tourism will be strengthened with the additional 13 organisations (sub-granting beneficiaries), who will jointly work towards the goals of the project.

The event was closed with a toast wishing for a successful implementation and the envisaged project outcomes in the protected areas of Shar and Mavrovo.

About the project: 

The project "Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shara and the Albanian Alps" is being implemented by the offices of CNVP North Macedonia and Albania and financially supported by PONT. The regional project started its implementation on September 1, 2022, and will last until August 31, 2025. The main goal of the project is the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources by providing and supporting local communities to create a better socio-economic life in harmony with nature, and the project aims to provide direct support to local non-governmental organizations, protected areas, municipalities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other local communities operating in the Polog and Mavrovo regions (North Macedonia). 

More information about the project is available at the following link: http://www.cnvp-eu.org/eng/project.php?mv=10&id=1426