From 25 to 27 November, in Skopje, CNVP Macedonia organized a three-day training on sustainable forest management focusing on role of the forests in protection of the soil and water resources.

The training objective was to present the economic importance of forests, but also the ecosystem services, forests and forest management for climate protection, protection of water quality, minimizing the dangers of flood generation and protection against erosion. The significance of different forest types in reducing the risks from flood and erosion was also emphasized as well the need to adapt current planning practices to comply to increased attention to climate changes. 

During the training, the participants discussed on topics related to:

-Sustainability in forestry and legislation requirements;

-Forest management concerning soil and water protection;

-Forest hydrology aspects;

-Complex of factors influencing the management of water in forest ecosystems;

-Content of current forest management plans (FMP) and their compliance with various national and EU laws/directives related to water/soil/climate.

The training was attended by representatives of PE National Forests which are also partners in the project.

 The project "GeM Balkans -Generating momentum on water and forest management" is funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) and implemented by the Research Institute for Forest Ecology and Forestry (FAWF) and CNVP Macedonia. Partners in the project are as follows: PE National Forests, Public Enterprise for Forest Management “Srbija Sume” and the Directorate for Protection and Treatment of Forests in Albania.