| Project funding | EU |
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| Project website | N/A |
| Programme website | Montenegro – Albania |
| Contribution to the Programme’s specific objective | The competitiveness of the tourism sector is enhanced by the economic valorisation of the cultural and natural heritage |
| Project start date | 01.02.2023 |
| Project end date | 01.08.2025 |
| Project total budget | EUR 453.096,00 |
| 0Project EU funding | EUR 385.131.60 |
| Description | Overall objective: T To strengthen protection of transboundary ecosystems, sustainable socioeconomic development of Skadar/Shkoder Lake Watershed and promote good neighbourly relations through designation in line with conditions of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme. Specific objectives: SO1: To foster collaborative designation of Skadar/Shkoder Lake Watershed (SLW) as UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR); SO2: To improve biodiversity targets and monitoring of ecological status and threats within the potential UNESCO TBR. The foreseen activities within the project are: 1.1.1 Kick off conference joint event; 1.1.2 Bilateral Agreement between Ministries to commit their support for the SLW TBR process; 1.1.3 Research and review of existing documents for gap assessment and opportunities relevant for the nomination of SLW as an UNESCO TBR; 1.1.4 Stakeholders` two joint workshops to develop Scope, Vision, Objectives and transboundary aspects as conditions to nominate SLW TBR; 1.1.5 Stakeholders’ six national workshops to develop the functional elements as conditions to nominate SLW TBR; 1.1.6 Develop plans for monitoring, for education and for communication/public awareness raising; 1.1.7 Develop institutional governing body and financial aspects of the proposed TBR; 1.1.8 Draft – consult – finalize the national and transboundary nomination forms to nominate SLW for a TBR; 1.1.9 Official submission of nomination dossier to propose SLW as an UNESCO TBR; 1.2.1 Organize two exchange seminars for transfer of knowledge and for networking between stakeholders in TB area whose activities and/or mandates relate directly with the use of nature resources with the similar BRs of the EU countries; 1.2.2 Two Citizens` surveys and an information campaign; 1.2.3 Promotion and visibility of the action including mass media campaign; 1.2.4 Final conference and Cultural fair in nature– to promote tradition and nature and make final statement for the nomination file submission; 2.1.1 Procure monitoring equipment for Regional Directory of Protected Areas in Shkoder and National Parks in Podgorica/Virpazar; 2.1.2 Redesign the monitoring action plan of protected areas authorities to integrate the new activities for assessing ecological status and threats; 2.1.3 Inauguration ceremony for new monitoring equipment set up and demonstration usage 2.1.4 Pilot restoration action for the habitat of Pelophylax shqipericus, a sub-endemic frog species; 2.1.5 Pilot restoration action for allochthon invasive species spread control |
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| Expected results | Expected results of the project are: EO 1.1: Montenegro and Albania submit participatory developed TBR nomination form for LSW to UNESCO; EO 1.2: Stakeholders and local population capacitated to participate and support nomination of the SLW as an UNESCO TBR; EO 2.1: Regional agency of protected areas in Shkoder and National Parks office in Podgorica equipped to increase frequency and scope of conservation and monitoring. |
| Expected outputs | Expected project outputs are: – Joint Kick off conference organized; – Bilateral Agreement for initiation of the intergovernmental UNESCO MAB Programme signed between relevant ministries; – Research and review of existing documents for gap assessment and opportunities relevant for the nomination of SLW as an UNESCO TBR conducted; – two joint workshops to develop Scope, Vision, Objectives and transboundary aspects as conditions to nominate SLW TBR organized; – six national workshops to develop the functional elements as conditions to nominate SLW TBR organized; – Awareness campaign on Biosphere Reserve conducted; – Established institutional governing body and financial aspects of the proposed TBR; – Drafting the national and transboundary nomination forms to nominate SLW as an UNESCO TBR and Official submission of nomination dossier; – 2 exchange seminars for transfer of knowledge and networking between stakeholders in TB area organized; – Two survey and an information campaign conducted on the new proposed status “SLW TBR”; – Final conference and Cultural fair in nature organized; – Monitoring equipment for Regional Directory of Protected Areas in Shkoder and National Parks in Podgorica/Virpazar procured (including Motorboat for multi-monitoring); – Redesign of the monitoring action plan of protected areas by relevant authorities; – Pilot restoration action for the habitat of Pelophylax shqipericus (sub-endemic frog species) and for allochthon invasive species spread control, |
| Lead partner | Institution name: Environmental Centre for Development Education and Networking Country: Albania Address: Rr. Bogdanëve, Pall.7 katësh, K.4, Ap.33, Tirana 1025 Website: www.eden-al.org Legal status: Private |
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| Partner | Institution name: Environment Programme Country: Montenegro Address: Baku 22, Tološka šuma, Podgorica 81000 Website: https://envpro.me Legal status: Private |
| Partner | Institution name: Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro Country: Montenegro Address: Trg Bećir bega Osmanagića 16, Podgorica 85000 Website: www.nparkovi.me Legal status: Public |
| Partner | Institution name: National Agency of Protected Areas in Albania Country: Albania Address: Boulevard “Dëshmoret e Kombit” Nr.1, Tirana 1001 Website: https://akzm.gov.al Legal status: Public |