CNVP Albania is supporting municipal forestry specialists in technical and social aspects related to the development of natural resources and their sustainable management. Within the ongoing decentralization process in Albania, more than 80% of forest land has been transferred to the municipalities which have subsequently had to establish technical structures to deal with municipal forest management.

Field training took place on 11 April 2018 in Bubq, Kruja to discuss how to mitigate and decrease the pressure on forest land by promoting the use of fast growing tree species such as poplar. CNVP Albania brought together staff from the municipality, the Directorate of Agriculture, the Federation and the Forest Users’ Association to study one initiative. The farmer explained his experience of planting 3 ha. of poplar, and how he is benefiting from it.

Given the current deficit in timber supplies in Albania, discussion during training focused on the urgency to support initiatives of this type, and how the Paying Agency might support planting by farmers to produce wood biomass for renewable energy. It was also suggested that municipal and ministry forestry experts should develop forestry projects with fast-growing species along the banks of canals, rivers and roads, linked to the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic herbs. The possibility for the ministry to support municipalities by donating seedlings or delegating budgets for planting was also discussed.

Bioenergy from agro-forestry can lead to improved food security, soil quality and rural development. Well-designed biosphere systems can contribute to mitigating climate change, increasing energy access, and reducing rural poverty. With technical assistance and better land management, farm yields and income can be increased, as well as food security strengthened, carbon sequestration improved, and soil pressure reduced.

The field training was organised under the Sida-funded project Forests for Local Economic Development that is being implemented by CNVP.

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