Press Conference Tirana - 28 September 2018
Project opening meeting “Empowering Civil Society Organizations to promote nature protection in Albania”
Although Albania has a high potential and high biodiversity, it is suffering major damage in recent years and in many irreversible cases, such as Hec-eve, quarries, infrastructure construction, ecc. Nature in Albania is highly fragmented and incapable of reacting effectively to new pressures and persistent threats including illegal logging, fishing, hunting, tourism and uncontrolled recreational activities, coastal erosion, fires, climate change impacts, poor application of the law and ineffective approaches in some management cases in practice. The sustainable management of natural resources in Albania has not yet been properly integrated into national and local policies. Involvement of local communities in decision-making and management of natural resources and local protected areas is inadequate. This situation hampers the effective implementation of environmental policy and nature conservation and easily leads to unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.There is a strong need to support civil society organizations in capacity building and assistance in establishing cooperation with local government and regional administrations of protected areas (PAs). Often this role is hampered by the lack of proper capacities and communication skills.
The Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) in cooperation with the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) has launched the project "Empowering Civil Society Organizations to Promote Nature Conservation in Albania". The project is funded by the European Commission under the "Support to the Capacities of Civil Society Organizations"
The project aims to increase and strengthen the skills and active role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the implementation of legislation, the fight against corruption and the minimization of negative impacts on the management of natural resources and protected areas; encourage co-operation between WHO and public authorities, local communities and the media, and promote networking and building partnerships between them. The project takes into consideration four pilot areas: the Divjake-Karavasta National Park, the Shebenik Jablanica National Park, the Kune Vaini Natural Park and the Porto Palermo Area.
Target groups in this project include (i) environmental society organizations, (ii) authorities responsible for nature conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and PA management at all levels of government, (iii) private sector , communities where target ZMs are located and v) local and national media.
Advocacy and lobbying to improve the transparency of decision-making on the sustainable use of natural resources will be the core of this initiative. Project activities will serve this main goal, operating in three main directions: 1) capacity building of a WHO network 2) defining the advocacy message to improve decision making transparency on the sustainable use of natural resources; and 3) providing a platform for strong dialogue among all stakeholders: WHO, media, government authorities, private sector investors and financial institutions. During the implementation of the project, networking between local OMSHCs and forums will be promoted.
local as well as cooperation with local and national media. Partners of this project will engage in capacity building of WHOs through the application of a training package that will combine information on effective legislative packages focusing on the use and management of natural resources as well as methods and opportunities for advocacy and participation of the general public in decision-making. The project will apply a small grants program that will provide support to local OMSHCs in the four pilot areas of this project to improve their capacity and autonomy to engage in public advocacy and public consultation, aim to increase transparency in decision-making processes related to nature conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and management of protected areas. A special place in the project will also be the co-operation and enhancement of the professional capacities of local media representatives, which is expected to help strengthen the relationship with the media sector. Within the project, an assessment of the needs for the regulatory framework of public participation in the decision-making process for the use and management of natural resources and ZM will be prepared.
Today's meeting aims to present the project's expected objectives and achievements as well as comprehensive information and co-operation with Civil Society Organizations about the direct and indirect impacts that will be the implementation of the project in strengthening these capacities.
Note to publishers:
INCA
The Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) is an NGO established in July 2000, based in Tirana but working throughout the country and in the region through partner organizations. INCA's main goal is to facilitate professional capacity building through participatory trainings and processes, conservation of nature and flora and fauna protection in Albania, support for rural development. It focuses on assessing biodiversity, protected areas and river basin management and implements projects in Albania and in cross-border contexts. INCA is a member of the IUCN and the Global Water Forum (GWP) and represents WWF in Albania. As of April 2013, INCA runs the Nature Conservation Network in Albania.http://www.inca-al.org/
IUCN
IUCN (International Union for Nature Conservation) is the oldest and largest environmental organization in the world with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and around 11,000 volunteer experts in over 160 countries. The IUCN office for Europe covers the European continent, Russia and Central Asia and the European Union countries across the sea. The IUCN SEE office promotes improved governance of natural resources and biodiversity and supports initiatives to preserve biodiversity and manage ecosystems for people's well-being. Working together with the IUCN and Committees members, it draws up regional policies and supports two major initiatives: the Dinaric Arc Initiative and the Green Belt of Europe.
