In 2017, institutional reform was introduced in Albania to create a smaller and more efficient public administration. This resulted in the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) which formed a unit responsible for forest/pasture policymaking and preparation of an associated regulatory framework.

The new government’s approach/methodology regarding sector management and radical restructuring of ministries and state agencies meant that it had to address institutional issues and regulatory needs of the forest/pasture sector and its interface with other sectors, institutions and stakeholders.

In order to safeguard the ecological, economic and social functions of Albania’s forests, coherent legal norms on forests/pastures need to be established, transferring political will into institutional reform related to five functions:

1. Ownership function, of forest owners and those with forest user rights;
2. Policy function, covered by policy makers at ministry level;
3. Management function, covered by entities responsible for managing forests/pastures;
4. Control function, covered by independent public authorities/administration; and
5. Support function, through public institutions and/or private services.

Sweden provided financial support in 2018 to prepare a national forest policy document, to be followed by drafting a new forest law. This was because: (a) the 2004 forest strategy is not an appropriate sector policy development, (bearing in mind linked issues related to rural development, climate change, renewable energy, water and soil protection); and (b) the old law does not fit current conditions. Swedish support has been made available through an agreement between Sida and CNVP Albania (which has been providing overall guidance of the process and procuring the necessary expertise).

CNVP Albania has cooperated with MTE and consultants since June 2018 to undertake preliminary research, and start the consultation process with key stakeholders at different levels. A first regional workshop was organized on 27 September 2018 in Shkodra. A second meeting will be held on 4 October 2018 in Korca.

These meetings are allowing the development of a problem, stakeholder and gap analysis, in order to validate the assumptions made on the need for a new policy document and a new forest law. This will take into consideration the existing situation, the current policy/strategic framework, the legal framework and approximation of national legislation to the EU acquis, the institutional framework, and sector budget analysis, as well as allow alternative approaches to be identified.