On 9 September 2026, CNVP Albania organized a field study visit with representatives of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Tirana, UNDP Albania, the EU Presence in Albania and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), within the framework of the project “Integrated Forest Management along the Drin River Basin”.
The visit was designed as an experience-sharing opportunity with staff of the EU4Forest Project, who had the chance to see first-hand the work and concrete results achieved by CNVP Albania through the implementation of the Integrated Forest Management (IFM) project in the forest areas of Shkodër and Pukë.
A day in the field, among forests and communities
The itinerary began early in the morning with travel to the Ana e Malit area, in Vau i Dejës, where the delegation was welcomed by the CNVP Albania team and visited the afforested site. The group then met with representatives of the Shkodër Municipality, the Shkodër Forest and Pasture Users Federation, as well as representatives of forest associations and the local community, discussing long-term cooperation on the sustainable management of forest resources.
A notable stop on the visit was the Eco Social Farm, a nursery supported by ADA, CNVP and LENZING, which produces forest tree seedlings and stands as a concrete example of public-private cooperation in support of reforestation.
The delegation then travelled to the village of Korthpulë, where it met with representatives of the Qerret Forest and Pasture Users Association and visited the site reforested with chestnut seedlings, accompanied by anti-erosion works, an intervention that illustrates the direct link between forest management and soil protection.
The visit continued at the Pukë Municipality, where the delegation was received by the Mayor, Mr. Rrok Dodaj, exchanging experiences on institutional cooperation within the framework of the IFM project.
Then, participants visited the Qerret school, where they were introduced to the wood-biomass central heating system, an innovative and environmentally friendly solution implemented under the project. The visit concluded with a stop at the forest improvement area in Qerret.
About the “Integrated Forest Management along the Drin River Basin” project
The project is a four-year initiative led by CNVP Albania and implemented in Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, in partnership with the Austrian NGO, ICEP – (Association for Global Development) and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), as part of “International Partnerships Austria”.
Through concrete interventions such as reforestation, improvement of forest areas, support for nurseries and strengthening of forest and pasture users’ associations, the project aims to achieve sustainable and participatory management of natural resources along the transboundary Drin River Basin, bringing direct benefits to local communities.
An example that inspires regional cooperation
The presence of EU4Forest staff at this visit reflects growing interest in the model applied by CNVP Albania in the field of forest management. The exchange of experience among projects funded by different international actors, strengthens inter-institutional cooperation and contributes to spreading best practices for sustainable forest management across the region.
CNVP Albania remains committed to this direction, working side by side with communities, local institutions and development partners for the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources in Albania and beyond.
