Aktivitetet e projektit

March 12, 2019. In the premises of Youth Center, Vlora Activity was organized the activity: "Creating a network of local organizations on advocacy and lobbying, to proclaim the Porto Palermo - Marine Protected Area”. The activity was focused on creating a network local organizations and individuals interested in advocating and lobbying the local and central government regarding Porto Palermo status. The meeting was opened by Mr. Nikollaq Dumani, executive director of the PPNE association. Mr. Dumani presented the project, funded by the EU and implemented by INCA. Mr. Xhemal Mato, an environmental and media expert, argued the need for a protective status to preserve Porto Palermo's underwater environmental wealth. The area is known for its rich biodiversity, as well as archeological sites in which has been found ancient cultural objects such as amphora. The meeting emphasized that the area had all the potential to develop ecotourism and should be stopped constructions that would endanger the nature and the wonderful landscape of the Porto Palermo Bay, and to protect it from unsustainable developments, the area needed a protective status.

Representatives of the the Himara association ODHISSYA raised the contest related to a tourist resort planned to be built in the area. In this regard, the associations will raise their voice locally and centrally to curb such unsustainable tourism developments and demand that Porto Palermo be declared a Marine Protected Area.

The associations and interested individuals (lectures of the University of Vlora, environmental specialists, etc.) agreed to be part of a network that would advocate and lobby for the issue. From discussions the network decided to call it the "Blue Riviera".

 

On October 31, 2019, in the premises of Vlora Youth Center was held the training: “Strengthening network capacities for effective communication with the media, in support of the advocacy and lobbying campaign for the Porto Palermo Bay”.

The training was conducted by the environmental expert Mr. Xhemal Mato, a well known specialist in the field of media communication. Mr. Mato pointed out, among other things, the importance of mass media for informing and raising awareness of citizens and politicians, with whom the organizations of civil societies  should cooperate. He also emphasized the truthfulness of information in the field of the environment, because the judgment of the public depends on the information provided.

Mr.Nikollaq Dumani presented the work and activities carried out by the association in terms of advocacy and lobbying for the Bay of Porto Palermo to be declared a Marine Protected Area. He appreciated the assistance that the INCA association had provided to the network in carrying out the advocacy and lobbying campaign: both in the technical aspect of the campaign and through relevant literature such as "Handbook on Impacting Nature Conservation Policies through Effective Advocacy Lobbying", Porto Palermo Bay Ecological Study, etc.

Mrs. Emirjeta Adhami, expert of water resources at INCA, presented the benefits the community has in relation to the management and use of the area's natural and cultural resources. The training was interactive and there were discussions and suggestions from the participants. The event was fully publicized in the local media Vlora News.

 

On April 12, 2019, in the premises of Hotel Prinos, Himara was realized the training: “Advocacy and Lobbying for the Protection of the South Coast and the Sea”.  The aim of the activity was increasing and strengthening the capacity of local organizations to advocate and lobby for the Bay of Porto Palermo to be declared a Marine Protected Area. The meeting was opened by Mr. Nikollaq Dumani, as the director of the association "For the Preservation and Protection of the Natural Environment", Vlora (PPNE )and in the capacity of training expert on advocacy and lobbying issues, who presented the project design and purpose of training. The training focused on building and strengthening the capacity of the network of local organizations, to conduct an effective advocacy campaign and lobbying for local and central government, that the Porto Palermo Bay be declared a National Marine Park. Then Mr. Nihat Dragoti, Executive Director of the Institute for the Conservation of Nature in Albania (INCA), Mr. Dragoti emphasized the development of ecotourism, the need to sensitize the community to protect natural resources for sustainable development, which could be achieved through coordinated work. The role of local organizations and the community in advocating and lobbying to be an important part of decision making needs to be strengthened added Mr.Dragoti.

Then Mr. Dumani explained the concepts of advocacy and lobbying, the basic elements of advocacy, identifying the issue, defining the purpose and objectives of advocacy, defining audiences for advocacy purposes, preparing and divulgating the message, networking, etc. After the theoretical part of the training, there was a lot of discussion from the participants. One of the participants raised the problem of lack of environmental organization in Himara, so the network will facilitate the community in organizing to respond to the protection of Porto Palermo's natural resources. Another concern raised was the four resorts planned to be built in the area, which are in conflict with the ecotourism and sustainable development of the area.

The inhabitants of  Himara had a major concern with the property problem, which was constantly reflected in their discussions. The meeting was attended by representatives of local organizations, community, local government, tour operators, business and media.

Study Visit “Biodiversity Values ​​in the Porto Palermo Bay"

On June 03, 2019, in Porto Palermo, Himara, was realized the activity “Study Visit about Biodiversity Values ​​in the Porto Palermo Bay". The meeting was opened by the director of the association "For Conservation and Protection of the Natural Environment" (PPNE), Vlora Mr. Nikollaq Dumani, who initially presented the purpose and objectives of the study visit. Then Mr. Dumani gave the presentation "Description of Biodiversity Values" and "Underwater Biodiversity, Mollusc Class". Mr Dumani emphasized the necessity of protection status for Porto Palermo so that not to be harmed as had been done in other coastal areas. He focused on the legislation and conventions ratified by Albania for the protection of marine waters, landscapes, etc.

One of the prominent values ​​of the floristic underwater floristic biodiversity of the Porto Palemo Bay is Posidonia which is at stake. Therefore it should be advocated and lobbied in cooperation with the network and the community to demand that the Bay of Porto Palermo be declared a Marine Protected Area. Then Mr. Xhemal Mato gave the presentation: “Why a Protected Park has great value for tourism? Natural and

cultural resources and sustainable development”

Mr. Nihat Dragoti, the INCA director, emphasized the community's ecosystem and natural resource management services of the Porto Palermo Bay.

Mrs. Emirjeta Adhami, expert of water resources at INCA, following the idea of ​​Mr. Dragoti added: “A model of participation in sustainable management of natural resources should be created, which brings economic benefits to the community itself, by using but also preserving natural resources. Three ecosystems have been identified: terrestrial, marine and pelagic ecosystems that will determine the benefits the community can acquire by using and maintaining them. ” Further Mrs. Adhami said there will be an economic evaluation of ecosystem services: the economic value that will benefit ecosystem services, as well as the calculation of the economic value that will be lost if they damage ecosystems. Community meetings with different stakeholders will be held to evaluate residents' ideas on the activities they can develop without affecting natural resources. Revising the Management Plan, with the approach of community maintenance and management of natural resources will create more opportunities for advocacy, always seeking legal support. Following the presentations, discussions were held by the participants. Mr. Anesti Dhimojani, representative of the community and the “Seafront” association, considered very important the idea of managing the community's natural resources, which, according to him, would find community support. On the other hand, he finds the community mentality difficult to work with, as it often happens that they do not agree with each other.

Participants were distributed “Ecological Study of Porto Palermo Bay and Surrounding Areas” and “Socio-Economic Analysis and Study on Tourism Development in Porto Palermo Bay”, conducted by INCA, in the framework of MedMPAnet project. There were also conducted surveys on the different spots.

The project “Building and strengthening the capacity of the network of local organizations for environmental protection and advocacy for declaring Porto Palermo a Marine Protected Area.” is implemented by PPNEA Vlore, within the project "Strengthening Civil Society Environmental 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 for Conservation of Nature - IUCN.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Community. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the partners implementing the project and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "RIVIERA BLU" NETWORK