The strategic partnership between CNVP and PONT continues, until now several projects and initiatives have been successfully implemented aiming nature conservation in Prespa-Ohrid as well as Korab-Shar region.

Given the great impacts achieved with previous proejcts, a new three-year project in support of RWoP (Rural Women of Prespa) was signed on 30 May 2024 between PONT and CNVP. This project will aim to upscale the conversation efforts in the Prespa region.

Few years ago, in the early days of PONT and CNVP’s cooperation in the Prespa area, a group of women was identified who were taking action independently but we could see had extraordinary potential should they collaborate.

The group of women was supported by CNVP in  through the PONT Grant focused on developing their capacity to contribute to nature conservation through the cultivation of the mountain Prespa tea (Sideritis raeseri) as a priority non-timber forest product (NTFP) that is threatened by uncontrolled and excessive harvesting in the wild.

At the same time, the PONT grant aimed to help the women’s group establishing a formal structure and mission to guide their contribution to socio-economic and environmental sustainability in the Prespa region. By formally registering as a Civil Society Organization in July 2020, the group now had access to a wider range of funding opportunities.

The project took on a transboundary approach which enabled stakeholders to share knowledge and exchange experiences. Over the past few years, the work of the RWoP has showcased the importance of grassroots organisations in nature conservation. By bringing together women from Prespa of various nationalities, ages, and professions who, and by combining their culinary skills, the RWoP have made significant progress towards the goal of conserving the mountain tea.

After all these years, the members of RWoP continue to be motivated, dedicated, ambitious and confident. They are now increasingly recognized as a success story by women in other parts of the country and outside the country. They are now sharing their experiences with similar grassroots initiatives.