From 25 to 27 June 2025, CNVP Foundation organized a regional study visit in Montenegro and Albania as part of the Integrated Forest Management (IFM) project. The activity brought together forestry professionals and institutional representatives from Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo, with the aim of sharing practical experiences in forest rehabilitation and promoting nature-based solutions for sustainable forest management across the Drin River Basin.

The visit began with the arrival of the teams from Kosovo and Albania in Podgorica, Montenegro followed by a joint dinner that offered an opportunity for participants to connect and prepare for the field activities.

On the second day, participants traveled to Nikšić, where they were welcomed by representatives of the local Forestry Administration. The group attended a presentation by Professor Ćemal Višnjić from the Forestry Faculty of Sarajevo, who spoke about the conversion of coppice beech forests in the Župa/Štitovo area. The presentation included results from the experimental plots and outlined the long-term benefits of forest conversion. Participants engaged in open discussions and shared feedback, before visiting the intervention sites to observe the practical aspects of the work.

Later in the afternoon, the group traveled back toward Albania for the continuation of the field program. The third day of the visit focused on key project sites in the northern part of Albania. The first stop was Ana e Malit, where Professor Ervin Toromani from the Forestry Faculty presented the technical aspects and achievements of recent afforestation efforts. The participants then visited another site in Vau i Dejës, where fast-growing tree species had been planted as part of the afforestation process.

Discussions were made also about the afforestation in Korthpulë area in Puka, where anti-erosion check dams and forest rehabilitation measures were introduced, an important task of IFM project. Throughout the day, participants presented the outcomes of these interventions, identified challenges, and exchanged ideas for improving future activities.

The study visit concluded with a wrap-up session in Val i Dejës, where participants reflected on the lessons learned and agreed to continue the exchange through upcoming field visits in Kosovo and North Macedonia, planned for early July or September.

This exchange activity demonstrated the value of regional cooperation and experience-sharing in forest management. It also confirmed the importance of joint efforts to support the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, promote ecosystem restoration, and contribute to climate resilience through practical, nature-based solutions.

This study visit is part of “Integrated Forest Management (IFM) along the Drin River Basin” project, funded by Austrian Development Cooperation, initiated by ICEP and implemented by CNVP Foundation.