On 8 September 2018, CNVP Albania participated in a national event organized by the National Federation to raise awareness concerning the value of forest for the economic development of rural communities. Other participants included Albanian journalists from different media, as well as representatives from the Faculty of Forestry, the Ministry of Internal and Local Government, and local communities from Belsh municipality.

The event in Dumre highlighted efforts by rural communities in forest management, and their need for property rights. Dumrea forest is an example of a community success story to rehabilitate 700 ha. of degraded oak forest during 1998-2018. A healthy young oak forest has now been established to contribute to carbon fixation, community employment, and supply of firewood for rural households.

The aim of the event was help turn the media from reporting on environment and community forest issues to educating in support of community rights and the development of better policies for community forestry. An example of media reporting is given at http://www.oranews.tv/article/kush-duhet-ti-zoteroje-pyjet-fshataret-apo-koncesionaret.

The event was supported under the framework of the Forests for Local Economic Development project supported by the Swedish Embassy and implemented by CNVP Albania.