Project: Skadar/Shkoder Lake Watershed – a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
Reference no: CFCU/MNE/222
Programme: IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Montenegro and Albania

High biodiversity values of Skadar/Shkoder Lake Watershed shared between Albania and Montenegro have been confirmed within its national and international conservation status. Yet, despite its high natural values and protection, the area is significantly threatened by unsustainable fast development, unplanned and illegal activities, and a lack of integrated cross boarder management and shared values for joint planning. Having recognized that urgent measures are needed for reconciliation of the conservation and development, involving stakeholders of the wider area in planning and management, countries have commenced UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation.

The project intends to bring positive impact to the important transboundary ecosystem shared between Albania and Montenegro to sustainably and collaboratively manage the area for the benefit of communities and of nature itself, in line with conditions of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme.

The specific objectives of the Action are:

1. “To foster collaborative designation of Skadar/Shkoder Lake Watershed (SLW) as UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR)” and
2. “To improve biodiversity targets and monitoring of ecological status and threats within the potential UNESCO TBR” which will be reached by providing with restoration actions and new monitoring equipment for the protected areas authorities.

 

Expected outputs of the Action are: Montenegro and Albania submit participatory developed TBR nomination form for SLW to UNESCO; Stakeholders and local population capacitated to participate and support nomination of the SLW as an UNESCO TBR; Regional Agency of protected areas in Shkoder and National Parks office in Podgorica equipped to increase frequency and scope of conservation and monitoring.

Geographic scope is transboundary Skadar/Shkodra Lake Watershed area. It includes these municipalities in Montenegro: Podgorica; Tuzi; Zeta; Cetinje; Danilovgrad; Bar and Ulcinj; and these municipalities in Albania: Shkodra; Malësia Madhe.

The project started on February 1st, 2023, and will last 30 months. It is funded under Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Albania 2014-2020, EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II).

Project activities: a list of project activities is provided below and the participation and consultation events are marked with asterisk *:

•  Kick off conference joint event*
•  Research and review of existing documents for gap assessment and opportunities relevant for the nomination of SLW as an UNESCO TBR
• Stakeholders` two joint workshops to develop Scope, Vision, Objectives and transboundary aspects as conditions to nominate SLW TBR*
• Stakeholders’ six national workshops to develop the functional elements as conditions to nominate SLW TBR*
• Draft – consult – finalize the national and transboundary nomination forms to nominate SLW for a TBR*
• Official submission of nomination dossier to propose SLW as an UNESCO TBR
• Organize two exchange seminars for transfer of knowledge and for networking between stakeholders in TB area whose activities and/or mandates relate directly with the use of nature resources with the similar BRs of the EU countries*
• Two Citizens` surveys and an information campaign
• Final conference and Cultural fair in nature– to promote tradition and nature and make final statement for the nomination file submission*.
• Procure monitoring equipment for Regional Directory of Protected Areas in Shkoder and National Parks in Podgorica/Virpazar
• Pilot restoration action for the habitat of Pelophylax shqipericus, a sub-endemic frog species
• Pilot restoration action for Amorpha fruticose invasive plant species