On December 19, at Europe House in Tetovo, CNVP North Macedonia marked the successful completion of the three-year regional project “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in the Shar, Korab–Koritnik and Albanian Alps,” financially supported by PONT.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Nehat Ramadani, Director of CNVP North Macedonia, and Mr. Maarten Bremer, Chair of the CNVP Supervisory Board, both of whom emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, the protection of natural resources, and the benefits for local communities.

During the event, Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to all partners and collaborators who had made a significant contribution to the project's implementation over the past years. Through inspiring videos, success stories, and concrete results achieved by our sub-grantees, it was demonstrated that joint efforts lead to real and sustainable change on the ground.

The event was further enriched by the presence of the CNVP Supervisory Board, mayors of the municipalities of Tetovo, Tearce and Bogovinje,  the Director of Sar Mountain National Park, directors of CNVP Albania and Kosovo, as well as our sub-grantees, local civil society organizations, mountaineering clubs, small businesses, youth associations, and other relevant stakeholders who actively contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

The event concluded in the spirit of the holiday season, with a warm pre-New Year atmosphere, networking, and a joint celebration of the achievements and partnerships that are leaving a lasting impact on nature conservation and the development of local communities.

The following day, the guests had the opportunity to visit the sub-grantees in the field and learn firsthand about the implemented activities. The first stop was the facility of the beekeepers’ association “Polog Honey” in the village of Varvara, located within Shar Mountain National Park. There, the guests observed the production of api-cosmetics—a unique combination of honey and medicinal herbs—and learned how a once-ruined space was transformed into a modern multifunctional center.

As part of the field visit, the guests also visited the “Faik Konica” Primary School in the village of Dobrosh (Terace). Within the framework of the project, the school equipped its biology classroom with modern teaching tools and carried out afforestation in part of the schoolyard, creating a greener and more stimulating learning environment. The visit concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Nehat Ramadani, Director of CNVP North Macedonia, in recognition of CNVP’s contribution to local development and education. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the guests had the opportunity to enjoy the traditional dish flija, adding a cultural touch to the experience.

To conclude the visit, the guests took a short walk along the reconstructed hiking trail, restored by the local civil society organization “Renesansa” in cooperation with the Municipality of Tetovo. This provided an excellent example of nature-based tourism development, successfully linking environmental protection, community engagement, and sustainable local development.