One activity of the Sida-funded project Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralized Forestry concerns awareness raising among schoolchildren on the importance of forests and the forestry sector, particularly to mitigate against climate change.

 An event was held on 12 October 2017 for twenty pupils and their Director from the “Edmond Hoxha” school. In cooperation with the Association of Private Forest Owners (APFO) “Gjeravica” in Junik and the Forestry Institute in Peja, and supported by CNVP Kosovo, the pupils visited the Institute’s laboratory for applied research and testing to understand: the importance of forestry; the production of seedlings; and research on forest disease protection. The group visited a laboratory which analyzes field samples, identifies forest diseases and pests, and monitors/diagnoses harmful biotic and abiotic factors. The field visit continued to a nursery in Orroberda village, Istog Municipality, where seedlings are produced for the sustainable management and reproduction of forests. At the end of the visit, the pupils expressed their willingness to protect, maintain and manage natural resources in a better way.

 CNVP will continue to support similar awareness raising and education activities, as well as encourage the increased participation of young people in Kosovo’s APFOs.