Yesterday, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฏ๐จ welcomed the ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ on a field visit to two of our partners, NTSH Dardani in Vitia and Bio Alta in Kamenica.
From modern firewood processing to delicious natural vinegars, we got a first-hand look at how local businesses are turning local resources and smart investments into growing businesses and new opportunities for rural communities.
At ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐ข, we saw how modern firewood processing technology is helping transform the local wood-energy value chain. With support from the SUNREED project, implemented by CNVP Kosovo, and supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina (Sida), Dardani has introduced advanced processing equipment that makes firewood production more efficient and provides households with cut, split and ready-to-use firewood. By encouraging the use of properly dried firewood, this approach can also help households use energy more efficiently and reduce pressure on forests.
At ๐๐ข๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐, owned by Kadrije Mustafa, we explored how locally collected wild apples and other natural ingredients are becoming high-quality vinegars and herbal teas. With support from SUNREED, Bio Alta has modernised its production process and expanded its capacity. From producing 1,000 liters of vinegar in 2022, the business reached 4,000 litres in 2025 and expects to produce 7,000 litres in 2026. Its growing network of around 70 farmers and collectors, including approximately 30 women, demonstrates how local processing can create opportunities across rural communities.
While their products are very different, both businesses share a common story: ๐ข๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ, ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ.
