Cross-border Initiative Restores 40 Hectares of Balkan Forests, Boosting Biodiversity adn Climate Resilience
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A collaborative project spanning Albania and North Macedonia has successfully restored 40 hectares of degraded forest landscapes, demonstrating the power of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in safeguarding biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting local communities. The initiative represents a benchmark for regional cooperation in ecological restoration.
The project, convened by over 50 stakeholders including government representatives, local authorities, and conservation experts, underscored the critical role of restoration for both the natural world and the people who depend on it. Discussions highlighted how NbS are instrumental in driving biodiversity conservation, bolstering climate resilience, and fostering enduring livelihoods.
Protecting Critical Habitats and Endangered Species
Restoration efforts centered on two key biodiversity landscapes: Bukovikj in North Macedonia and Pashtrik-Morina in Albania. These areas are vital for the conservation of the Critically Endangered Balkan lynx, as recognized by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, and function as crucial ecological corridors facilitating species movement and maintaining ecosystem connectivity. Through targeted Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) interventions, the project aimed to improve habitat conditions, strengthen forest resilience, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
“We are proud to have supported these restoration efforts, as part of our global Northern Forest initiative, which has shown how locally driven restoration efforts can yield lasting benefits for nature and communities,” stated Andreas Eriksson, Secretary General of the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation. “The results achieved in Albania and North Macedonia reflect the power of collaboration and the potential of Nature-based Solutions to address biodiversity loss and climate challenges.”
A Collaborative Approach to Regional Restoration
Implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO) in partnership with protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) and Macedonian Ecological Society (MES), and supported by the Swedish postcode Lottery Foundation, the initiative fostered a strong spirit of cross-border collaboration.
Oliver Avramoski, Regional Director of IUCN ECARO, emphasized the initiative’s lasting impact: “The Northern Forests Initiative has demonstrated the power of regional collaboration and Nature-based solutions in restoring forest landscapes and strengthening climate resilience. We are deeply grateful to the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation for their invaluable support and partnership throughout this journey. As we conclude this phase, we remain committed to advancing forest restoration and sustainable land management in the Western Balkans, building on the strong foundations laid by this initiative.”
Integrated Restoration Techniques Deliver Multiple Benefits
The project employed a “mosaic” approach, integrating a variety of restoration techniques – including reforestation, forest thinning, pasture improvement, and soil erosion control – to amplify ecological and social benefits. These interventions not only improved habitat quality but also strengthened cross-border cooperation for forest protection.
Aleksandër Trajçe, Executive Director of PPNEA, noted the importance of maintaining ecological connectivity: “Restoring and maintaining ecological connectivity is essential not only for the survival of emblematic species like the Balkan lynx, but also for strengthening the resilience of our landscapes and communities. We remain committed to safeguarding these corridors of life, where biodiversity and human well-being go hand in hand.”
Local capacities were also enhanced through training programs on sustainable forest management for both communities and authorities. The strategic application of NbS further boosted biodiversity, increased carbon sequestration, and improved climate resilience.
Robertina Brajkovska, Executive Director of MES, highlighted the project’s broader implications: “Despite challenges with institutional capacity, the project set a strong example for nature-based Solutions and offers a replicable model for forest restoration and collaboration in protecting large carnivores across the Western Balkan region.”
The success of the Northern Forests Initiative underscores the value of integrated and coordinated interventions across landscapes, creating a synergistic effect that amplifies conservation benefits and delivers tangible gains for local communities. This holistic approach ensures that restoration efforts extend beyond isolated actions, fostering resilient ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.
