Various activities contributing to the transboundary management and wise use of wetlands and other ecosystems in Prespa Park are posted here. All actors are encouraged to contact PPCC Secretariat with documented information on their work.

UNDP - GEF regional project

Pollution: Workshop on management of pesticide wrapping waste

Resen, Dec 11, 2008 - A workshop on the role of local communities in the establishment of the new system for waste management of disposed pesticide packaging was held in Resen on December 11.  more ⇒

June 2007 - November 2008

Some of the activities in Prespa Park carried out by various actors between the 10th  PPCC meeting in Pretor, FYR Macedonia (June 2007) and the 11th PPC meeting in Pyli, Greece (November 2008):

1.    Ecosystem Economic Analysis of the Prespa surrounding area in Albania, carried out under the UNDP/GEF project.
This base line assessment includes the economic analysis of the most distinguished values of the area with relevance to anthropogenic impact, assessment of institutional and legal structure, and climate data. It reflects the potential of the existing ecosystem surrounding the Lakes of Prespa.
 

2.    The KfW-funded project Support to Galicica National Park (NPG) is contributing to the sustainable conservation of biodiversity in the transboundary Prespa region, to the reduction of pressures on eco-systems, and to the improved management effectiveness. Among the activities in 2008 and 2009 is the Forestry management plan, demarcation of the NP Galicica boundaries, improving of pastures management and rehabilitation of ecosystems.
The project transboundary activities include coordination with the transboundary Prespa Park (Spatial Planning), support to the transboundary environmental forum organized by the Centro Regionale d'Intervento per la Cooperazione (CRIC), and to the integration of the whole NPG into the Prespa Biosphere Reserve Project.
 

3.    Centro Regionale d'Intervento per la Cooperazione (CRIC) activities for supporting tourism development in the Prespa National Park (Albania) and the Galicica National Park (FYR of Macedonia).
During 2008, CRIC conducted micro experimental actions in Albania, including promotion of organic agriculture, weaving factory of local products, promotion of family tourism etc. In FYR of Macedonia, Galicica NP Environmental Forum was established, and preparations for the construction of the Visitor’s Center were conducted. Participants from both countries attended relevant trainings in Italty.
 

4.    GEF Small Grants Programme projects carried out by the NGOs in the Municipality of Resen:
Focus: Modern methods for organic waste management in Prespa - Musical Youth; Pelican: Adaptation of Ribarsko Selo locality into pilot-center - Farmers’ Association: Preparation for introduction of integrated protection in apple production (with a manual) - Coalition for prosperous Prespa: Active participation of schoolchildren in collecting, selecting and recycling of plastic - Pelican: Partnership for management of natural habitat of Prespa carp - Rudina: Cleaning of Dolno Dupeni riverbeds of waste - Nijazi Bej: Strengthening of public awareness on Prespa ecosystems through production and promotion of organic fertilizers - Vision for sustainable development of Prespa: Transformation of unregulated waste sites from Sirhan to Stenje into tourist destinations, and their maintenance - Lobbing: Eco-space in Pretor
 

5.    NATO-funded hydrogeological project (Science for Peace Programme, Project number: SFP 981116) carried out by a consortium of scientific institutions from the three countries sought to contribute to better understanding of the mechanisms causing the decreasing water level in order to provide recommendations on sustainable water management. Since the mid 80’s, a recorded steady decrease of the water level of about 8m disturbs the ecological balance of the lake and the watershed area resulting in serious consequences for the fishing and tourist industry. However, actionable conclusions on human-induced or natural causes (drainage to Ohrid Lake) are yet to be determined.
 

6.    Netherlands Development Organisation SNV BALKANS funded Tourism Action Plan (TAP) for the Liqenas Commune and project for Sustainable Tourism in the wider Korça area.
The Tourism Action Plan Process addresses the need for a user-friendly plan process for community-level agencies to jointly develop a tourism industry strategy. In Albania, TAPs are developed in the Kolonja, Pogradec, Prespa and Korça Areas, and in the traditional villages of Voskopoja, Dardha and Vithkug. A number of organizations and donors work towards that direction, including SNV, the STEP Foundation, UNWTO and GTZ.
It is expected that 1.000 persons (or 275 households) will benefit directly, and another 9.000 (2.500 households) indirectly from the Korça Region Tourism Destination Development/Management Programme.♦