CNVP Albania met with the Administration of Protected Areas in Kukes in the framework of PONT funded project “Sustainable use of natural resources for transboundary socio-economic development of protected areas in Albania and North Macedonia” which is being implemented in Albania and North Macedonia.

The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Administration of Protected Areas in order to harmonise the project interventions with the Management Plans for the protected areas as well as create synergy among actors. CNVP will enter into MoUs with the Protected Areas where all the details of the collaboration among partied will be envisaged.

During the meeting CNVP team introduced the work plan with the detailed activities which will be implemented in the first year of the project implementation. Both parties discussed about the compatibility of the foreseen activities with the Management Plans of Protected Areas for better results and impact in the communities. CNVP will initially undertake detailed studies/analyses related to the three main objectives of the project covering:

• Assessment of the most valuable areas for biodiversity and economic development in Korab Koritnik and Albanian Alps;
• Evidencing of MAPs/ NTFPs with high benefits and their potential for organic cultivation at farm level in the target Protected Areas;
• Identification and analysis of current touristic potential/sites (cultural and natural) in target Protected Areas.

The findings from each study will be validated in joint meetings/workshops and the main recommendations will form the bases of potential projects for the grant scheme which will be implemented in the framework of this project.