Project activities

Advocacy for the development of the ecotoursim respecting the environment

The project Advocacy for the development of the ecotoursim respecting the environment is implemented by Horizont EU in the framework of project "Empowering Civil Society Organizations to Promote Nature Conservation in Albania" funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania – INCA and International Union of Conservation of Nature - IUCN.

Horizont EU dhe MEN associations in cooperation with AdZM and National Park Divjake – Karavasta and United High School Rremas including 50 pupils of 7th and 8th grades, visited the Visitor’s Center and were informed for the information that this center offers. Afterwards, these pupils together with voolunter staff of the 2 associations implementing this project, planted 400 pine trees in a part of National Park Divjake-Karavasta.

The two winning organizations held a seminar with representatives of the Education Office of Lushnje and the directors of participating schools in the project, where they were introduced to the project and were given directives for each school. The presentation of the project in the media was carried out on a live broadcasting on Radio Lushnja dedicated to the project where it was communicated online with the director of AdZM Fier Mr. Ardian Koci. After establishing contact with Municipality of Divjake, Mr. Fredi Kokoneshi as well as Divjake Municipal Councilors, the chairman of Municipal Council Ms. Ana Nako and Divjake Municipality Council.

As well, for the project, it was informed the director of Education Office Lushnje Ms. Brunilda Dhamo as well as for the measures taken by the school boards to provide the appropriate support to the teachers involved in the implementation of the project. There were created conditions with directors of six schools involved in the project and it was developed a program for cooperation and coordination with the teaching process in line with the project objectives of the Horizont EU and MEN organizations.

The presentation of the project took place on April 24 at a seminar with representatives of the 6 participating schools in Divjake, representatives of the Municipal Council of Divjake, community members of the area during a seminar organized by HEU & MEN. In this meeting there were delivered materials and were given explanations for the competition to be organized on pupils' knowledge of the management plan of the National Park Divjake-Karavasta, visits to the Visitor Center, knowledge gained from the curriculum on the Park but not only, and it was drawn a thrown between schools on the rules and manner of competition. The final competition was decided to be on May 15th.

On the day of Pelicani Kacurrel - Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, May 11, the symbol of National Park Divjake-Karavasta, it was organized a large Agro-Cultural Fair of the area at the Visitors Center of National Park Divjake-Karavasta where 20 entities, local businesses, Divjake municipality schools and community individuals around the National Park Divjake-Karavasta exhibited their cooking, gastronomy, clothings, tradition and crafts for the inviting visitors and casual tourists who joined this special day.

In the competition between the four high schools Divjake, Remas, Grabian and Fierseman and as well as the two elementary schools Mize and Kryekuq, the students showed their knowledge of the National Park Divjake-Karavasta by answering jury questions prepared in cooperation with AdZM Fier where in the end The winners were High School Fierseman and Mize School for elementary schools.

This competition was monitored by INCA representatives and specialists led by dr. Nihat Dragoti. All pupils participating in the competition as well as the Junior Ranger group of the National Park Divjake Karavasta were rewarded with a tourist trip to Prizren in evaluation of their serious commitment to the recognition of the National Park Divjake Karavasta. This trip was financially supported by Divjake Municipality and businesses in Divjaka area together with HEU & MEN. The participants were awarded certificates for both pupils and teachers

For the knowledge level, the 3 winning schools were awarded respectively the I, II and III places. The winning organizations Horizont EU and MEN were present at a meeting held at the Visitor Center with representatives of the Japanese government where the focus of the discussion was on the progress of the JICA management plan.

The project continued in the second phase where representatives of implementing organizations Shkelqim Bylykbashi and Fadil Malko have organized important meetings with Divjake Municipality, the Education Office and the Municipal Council where they were specifically positted what will be done with the implementation of the project. On November 22, 2019, a meeting was organized with Divjake Municipal Council members where Shkelqim Bylykbashi as project leader briefed the councilors on the importance of the Management Plan as well as the role of councilors and the community in this process. The counselors disseminated written materials in the framework of the project to mobilize and inform the community and local government in the context of the implementation of the National Park Divjake-Karavasta Management Plan and their role and responsibilities in promoting sustainable local eco-tourism as a an important financial resource in the local economy.

The discussion on the areas occupied by Protected Areas according to Albanian legislation and the revision of borders has been the subject of discussion at several meetings organized by the National Agency of Protected Areas among many stakeholders at the National Park Divjake-Karavasta Visitor Center such as NEA, Ministry of Environment, ADZM Fier, Divjake Municipality, INCA, Environmental Associations, businesses and the community of the area. Mr. Bylykbashi and Mr. Malko gave their opinions on the problems and developments in the National Park Divjake-Karavasta.

Every stage or activity of the project implementation is covered with shows on Radio Lushnja, Facebook as well as YouTube or through news on social networks like Agronews.al, Horizonteu.org etc.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union.The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of project implementing partners and does not reflect the opinions of the European Union.

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COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "OUR COUNTRY, THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN" NETWORK

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