Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa

The Phase II of this project (May 2018 to April 2021) is aiming to reduce the pressure on natural resources as well as the contribution to poverty reduction in the Albanian part of the Prespa Biosphere Reserve. This will contribute to conserve the biodiversity and to improve the living conditions of the population in Prespa National Park and in the Albanian part of the Biosphere Reserve. The Project‘s objectives reflect the insight that improvements and success in nature conservation and environmental protection can only be achieved by considering and strongly addressing the socio-economic development dimension in the Prespa region. The Project targets the Prespa National Park and its adjacent communities and in a wider scope, the area of the Ohrid - Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. Taking this into account, the Project Phase II focuses on two interrelated group of activities: 1) Conservation of biological diversity and reduction of the pressure on natural resources,2) support socio-economic development and improvement of the living conditions of the local population. Supporting sustainable land and forestry management activities will reduce the need for firewood. Provision of ecosystems services and goods (Non-timber forest products honey) increases resilience to the expected effects of climate change (increased drought and limited agriculture). Improved forest management increased the forest capacity as a carbon sink providing for more carbon sequestration (nature base climate change mitigation). A number of activities under this project contribute to improve local community resilience to climate change effects. Supporting sustainable land and forestry management activities will reduce the need for firewood. Additionally, provision of ecosystems services and goods (Non-timber forest products honey) not only supports diversification of income generation activities but increases resilience to expected effects of climate change (increased drought and limited agriculture). Improved forest management increased the forest capacity as a carbon sink providing for more carbon sequestration (nature base climate change mitigation). The project is also supporting various research activities contributing to building knowledge and providing education and awareness among local communities. Better knowledge on ecosystem values and services they provide will increase awareness on the importance of conservation and provide for better adaptation to climate change.