CNVP in cooperation with the Faculty of Forestry of Skopje, Macedonia and the Regional Federation of Communal Forests and Pastures in Diber, Albania  implemented the WB-PROFOR project on " Further Study and Analysis of Innovative Financing for Sustainable Forest Management in the Southwest Balkans" . The first phase of the study was implemented through two cases; in Albania on SFM and watershed management in the Ulza watershed, and in Kosovo on SFM and wood biomass production and use. The first phase of the project was implemented by CNVP in cooperation with NRS Kosovo, REGEA Croatia, Diava Consulting, Albania, Faculty of Forestry, Macedonia and Wageningen University, The Netherlands. The first phase of two years ended in October 2013. The second phase continued for the Albania case only on erosion, run off and sedimentation monitoring in the Ulza watershed till October 2014.  

The Albania case on the Ulza Watershed was focused on erosion monitoring and sedimentation in the Ulza reservoir which continued till October 2014. The research continued the field measurements on erosion and runoff on different land use types. Based on the first results some adjustment were made on the erosion plots. A higher focus was given to different forest types with different covers and structures, also further attention was given to gully erosion.

Next to the land use effects on erosion this phase carried out another bathymetry measurement of the Ulza Lake. In the first phase this was done as well and even though the interval was short, a new bathymetry measurement was made in the spring 2014 when the lake was at full capacity. This allowed comparison and indicate the level of current sedimentation at that moment in the lake. 

To be able to connect better the effects on different land use types and the sedimentation in the reservoir a watershed erosion risk assessment was undertaken and overall land cover assessment. This gave insights in the most erosion prone areas in the watershed and the process of sediment transport from the fields, in to streams, rivers and the lake. 

WB and the Government of Albania are in the process of finalization of the expected new ESP (Environmental Services Project). The ESP will among others focus on specific environmental services and pilot for Payment for Environmental Services. The study carried out in frame of this project on watershed management, demonstrated through sound scientific methodologies how payments for environmental services (PES) could benefit rural land owners and private dam operators while improving environmental sustainability.  The baseline data generated will form the basis for a local PES scheme. 

The results and lessons learned from the study are disseminated locally, regionally and internationally to promote broader adoption of similarly innovative financing mechanisms. One can find all results on the project website: www.cnvp-wbprofor.org. This website includes also the project results of the first phase.

You can see the full Project on the following link:

 http://www.cnvp-eu.org/uploads/documents/149/PUB_23-Ulza%20Watershed%20Crosscutting%20final.pdf