A workshop was organized by CNVP Kosovo in close cooperation with the Department of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development.

Held on Thursday, 7 December 2017 in Pristina’s Gërmia, the purpose of the workshop was to discuss possible modalities for simplifying the administrative procedures associated with accessing permits for commercial logging and supplying firewood for private forest owners. Workshop participants included representatives from the National Association of Private Forest Owners (NAPFO), selected APFOs, the Kosovo Forest Agency (KFA), the Departament of Forestry, municipalities and forestry experts.

Various issues were addressed; for example:

• current procedures used by private forest owners, based on the current Law on Forests (presented by the KFA);
• requests by NAPFO and APFOs to simplify procedures for private forest owners;
• simplified procedures for obtaining permits by private forest owners; and
• a draft administrative instruction that includes simplified procedures (presented by the Head of of the Departament of Forestry).

Specific proposals resulting from the workshop will be harmonized with the initial draft of the administrative instruction by the Department of Forestry, and discussed publicly prior to preparation and approval of the final draft.

The event was supported through the SIDA-funded project, Strengthening Sustainable Private and Decentralized Forestry, being implemented by CNVP Kosovo. The project involves strengthening sustainable forest management, developing wood bio-mass for renewable energy, and supporting the development of rural businesses and supply chains that will improve rural incomes through improved cooperation amongst local and regional stakeholders.