On 21 June 2018, CNVP Albania’s office in Kukes organised a regional event in Hasi Municipality. This was attended by representatives from: the Municipality; Kukes Regional Council; Golaj, Fajza and Malzi Administrative Units; Forestry and Agriculture departments from Kukes and Hasi; the National Federation; and Kukes and Diber Regional Federations. Forest private user associations (FPUAs) and producer groups from Golaj, Fajza and Malzi also shared experiences related to forest and non-timbe forest product (NTFP) value chains.

The event included a field visit, as well as six presentations that covered:

1. Activities undertaken by CNVP Kukes since 2014;
2. Hasi Municipality’s vision for increasing incomes for rural families;
3. Kukes Regional Federation’s view on the potential for NTFPs, and how FPUAs can provide economic activities;
4. Golaj FPUA’s assessment of challenges for the future;
5. Golaj producer groups’ future expectations; and
6. The promotion of forest fruit tree gardens as a trend in agro-forestry.

The field visit to the Dauti family saw the cultivation of new varieties of NTFP, such as aronia, rasberry, strawberries and blackberries. Jams and jellies are being produced, and seedlings sold to other farm families. The Dautis have benefitted from knowledge gained through attending exchange visits.

The cultivation of new NTFP varieties is seen as being beneficial for rural families who can secure employment (especially for rural youth), generate additional incomes, and improve consumers’ health through consumption of the powerful anti-oxidants contained in forest fruits.

The event was supported by CNVP Albania under the framework of the Sida-funded project Forests for Local Economic Development.