On February 26th the Board of National Association of Private Forest Owners (11 members) with the facilitation of CNVP organized a joint workshop. The topics of discussion were related to results of NAPFO achieved in 2020 and objectives for this year focusing on revision and approval of “Agenda 2021” and working on the draft strategy of NAPFO.

The priorities of NAPFO for 2021 were listed in 6 themes as follows:

1. Increasing internal capacity building for raising funds and project management
2. Extension of services for members of associations
3. Recommendations for improvement of the legal framework that tackles interests of private forest owners
4. Advocacy to central level (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) /Government, Parliamentary groups/Kosovo, Kosovo Assembly)
5. Advocacy to central/local public institutions (municipality, department of Forestry/Kosovo Forest Agency)
6. Networking/cooperation with media and other local/international organizations

The policy support (measures) for forestry sector development was argued by comparing the situation in Kosovo, the region, and EU countries. Therefore, the board members revised the forest exploitation in Kosovo by public and private sector based on annual planning, production of wood biomass capacity for heating system mainly by the private sector, as well as the revised actual financial state in Ministry related to forestry funds for the private forest sector.

Finally, the NAPFO Board agreed for follow-up actions based on priorities of “Agenda 2021” and engagement of its members in accomplishment of planned activities considering a revision of strategy.

This activity is supported by the Sida-funded project being implemented by CNVP Kosovo - Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralized Forestry (SSPDF).