On 30 January 2018, CNVP attended an ecosystem services event organized under the Nature Conservation Programme in Macedonia - Phase 2, a project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The programme is helping Macedonia to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity through their sustainable management and use.

Key stakeholders familiarized themselves with (a) the general policies for ecosystem services, and their payment, as well as (b) the positive and negative experiences and lessons learned from implementing such schemes within the region.

The Macedonia’s Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning presented an overview of ecosystem services and their payment. Representative from WWF Adria discussed their experience of ecosystem services in the wetlands of Hutovo Blato, highlighting major threats, opportunities and possible solutions. Representative from WWF Bulgaria also shared their experiences.

CNVP has experience of supporting payment for ecosystem services in the six countries where it is active in the Balkans, particularly in Albania.