Across Albania, CNVP Albania’s work in forestry, biodiversity, rural livelihoods, and protected landscapes follows a consistent logic: nature protection must generate value for people, and community development must reinforce nature protection. This integrated approach is now structured through the 4 Returns framework and operationalized through the new Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) funded project, PULSE – Protecting Unique Landscapes and Species, creating a practical bridge between conservation institutions and local communities living around protected areas.

The concept of the 4 Returns is a practical framework that links environmental restoration with social and economic recovery. It measures impact through four interconnected dimensions: Return of Inspiration, Return of Natural Capital, Return of Social Capital, and Return of Financial Capital. Rather than treating conservation as an isolated environmental action, this approach views landscapes as living systems that can simultaneously restore biodiversity, strengthen communities, and generate sustainable livelihoods.

CNVP Albania is the first organization in the country to apply the 4 Returns framework in its field work, embedding this model into project planning, implementation and partnership building. This approach is now at the core of the PULSE project, which aims to improve the management of protected areas while strengthening cooperation between institutions and local actors.

Today, CNVP Albania held a formal meeting with Agim Dardha, Director of the Administration of Protected Areas (AdZM) Shkodër, to introduce the PULSE project and explore structured avenues of cooperation in the management of protected areas across the region.

During the meeting, CNVP presented the objectives of PULSE, emphasizing how the project will contribute to improved biodiversity protection, enhanced landscape management practices, and increased engagement of local communities living around protected areas. The discussion focused on how the 4 Returns framework can support AdZM’s work by aligning conservation goals with community involvement and sustainable economic opportunities.

Particular attention was given to identifying concrete areas of collaboration, including information exchange, joint field activities, and coordination mechanisms that can improve the effectiveness of protected area management. Both parties acknowledged the importance of building a long-term institutional relationship that goes beyond project timelines and creates a consistent model of cooperation in the region.

This meeting marks an important step in ensuring that PULSE is implemented through strong institutional partnerships and that protected areas are managed not only as ecological assets, but as spaces that generate value for nature, people, and the local economy.

“PULSE – Protecting Unique Landscapes and Species” project is funded by Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) and implemented by CNVP Foundation in protected areas of Albania and North Macedonia.

Inspired by the 4 Returns Framework. For more information, visit www.commonland.com