-
First capacity building training
“Empowerment of Shar : Women leaders in non-timber forest product collection”, a transformative project aimed at strengthening capacities for the organic cultivation of forest products in the form of shrubs known as small trees and medicinal and aromatic plants. This initiative focuses on empowering people, enabling them to become key players in sustainable agricultural practices. We started with the realization of the first training on the topic “Sustainable management of non-timber forest products in theNational Park Shar Mountain”, where the participants showed interest in the cultivation of non-timber forest products and had the opportunity to increase capacities in relation to:
The manual for sustainable collection of wild species of plants, fungi and their parts in the protected area of National Park Shar Mountain.
- Collection and use of non-timber forest products – (PPJD)
- Basic collection rules
- Types that are collected
- Equipment and tools
- Conditions, security, obligations, control
- Field behavior
- Cultivation of PPJD
Agriculture as a branch of a country’s economy This project is part of the project “Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shar and the Albanian Alps”, implemented by the #CNVP Foundation – The connection of natural values and people and financed by #PONT – Prespa Ohër Nature Trust.
2. Second training – Capacity building
Realization of training for capacity building, of the project “Empowerment of Shar: Women leaders in the collection of non-timber forest products”, a transformative project aimed at strengthening capacities on the topic: the benefits of organic cultivation of non-timber forest products as well as market linkages and promotion.
During this training, we focused on:
- The process of organic farming, the most effective and healthy ways to grow organic products
- Market connections, how to create common network for easier sales as well
- Branding and promotional strategies
Through fruitful discussions and exchanges of information, it became clear that organic farming offers not only a healthy way to produce food, but is also an important act to preserve our environment, a unique production management system which support the protection of the ecosystem. In this training, the participants also had the opportunity to get to know the tools and strategies to connect with the market and to successfully promote non-wood forest products, as well as the exploration of different marketing channels for this particular market.
Through intelligent discussions and exchanges of experiences, it was discovered that excellent promotion and good market connection are essential for the success of a non-wood forest products business.
This project is part of the project “Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shar and the Albanian Alps”, implemented by the CNVP Foundation – The Connection of Natural Values and People and financed by PONT – Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust.
Implementation of the activity: Procurment with resources
Supply of 600 seedlings of non-timber forest products (blackberries, raspberries, goji berry, aronia, blueberries, currants) as well as organic fertilizer, as part of the project: “Empowerment of Sharri: Women leaders in the collection of non-timber forest products ”, where we managed to supply with seedlings of non-wood forest products of high quality and safe for a more sustainable and clean environment.
This project is part of the project “Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Shar and the Albanian Alps”, implemented by the CNVP Foundation – The Connection of Natural Values and People and financed by PONT – Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust.
Implementation of activity: Consultative meetings in the field with collectors of non-timber forest products 
There are held several consultative meeting with the collectors of non-wood forest products in the field! These meetings are part of our efforts to strengthen cooperation with local communities and to better understand the challenges and opportunities they face in the forest products collection sector.
What was discussed?
• Sustainable management of natural resources
• The best methods for storing and processing non-wood forest fruits
• Opportunities for fairer trade and economic benefit
These discussions help us create strategies that support foragers and that preserve our natural ecosystems.
The study visit for familiarization with the best practices to practice the sustainable collection of non-wood forest products in Green Hill and Sharri Bio Kaçanik – Kosovo.
During the visit, they had the opportunity to get to know the operation of a local collection center for non-wood forest products and explore its production possibilities to see closely the techniques that help protect biodiversity and the sustainable development of the area.
Implementation of activity: Consultative meeting on the possibilities of using IPARD funds, subsidies and state funds
CIRZ hold the consultative meeting as part of the project: “Empowerment of Sharr: Women leaders in the collection of non-timber forest products”, where the possibilities of using IPARD funds and other funds from state institutions from expert Lençe Nikolovska.
This meeting aimed to inform the participants and provide support to all those who wish to benefit from these resources for the development of their projects.
Implementation of activity:Procurment with resources / procurment of harvesting and collection tools of the project “Empowerment of Shar: Women leaders in the collection of non-timber forest products”, the distribution of work tools for the collection of these products was successfully carried out.
- This important step will not only facilitate the work of collectors, but will also contribute to the sustainable development of this activity, empowering our local community, women and youth.
- One step closer to the preservation and sustainable use of our natural resources!
The project “Sustainable use of natural resources in Korab Koritnik, Sharr and the Albanian Alps” is being implemented by the offices of CNVP Foundation North Macedonia and Albania and financially supported by Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust PONT.
