On 24 and 25 February 2021, CNVP held a two-day webinar under the topic: "Prevention and fight against illegal activities and corruption in forestry - international processes and practical experiences in North Macedonia.

The two-day webinar was organized in order to strengthen the capacities and exchange experiences of the employees in the forestry sector, as well as to other stakeholders, regarding the prevention and fight against corruption and illegal activities in forestry.

The presenters of the webinar were regional and local experts in the field of forestry and forest policy. They introduced the participants to the international and local processes aimed at prevention and fight against corruption and illegal activities in forestry and also presented practical experiences and modalities for dealing with this issue.

The webinar was primarily intended for employees in the forestry sector, public administration, and employees of the PE National Forests, but also other interested groups from the sectors of nature protection, environment, timber industry, and ministry of interior, etc. 32 participants attended the webinar.  

The main conclusion from the two-day webinar was the need for more coordinated actions among relevant institutions in the field of forestry and institutions dealing with crime and corruption, the need for continuous capacity development, and the use of innovative systems in forestry that will diminish the possibilities for illegal acts in forests.

The webinar was organized in the frame of the project „Regional action for combating forest crime and corruption” funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by CNVP, Forestry and Environmental Action (FEA), Sarajevo, and Green Home, Podgorica.

The project aims at networking stakeholders in the forestry sector, increasing transparency, good governance, capacity development, and mechanisms for combating crime and corruption, as well as preparation/adoption of Action Plans for suppression of illegal activities in forestry.