Forestry Camp 2024 was successfully completed today, after extending to the areas of the municipality of Novobërda, Gjilan and Kamenica. This activity brought together experts, institutional representatives, students and local communities with the common goal of making a step forward towards sustainable and multi-purpose forest management in Kosovo.
The camp was organized within the framework of the program funded by the European Union and Sweden “Support for strengthening sustainable and multipurpose forest management to improve livelihoods in rural areas and address climate change in Kosovo”.
This program is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Forest Camp 2024 attracted over 200 participants, who took part in interactive activities and discussions to promote sustainable forest management, improve rural livelihoods and mitigate climate change. The event included hands-on sessions, expert-led presentations as well as field visits, showcasing Kosovo’s forest resources and exploring opportunities for forest-based entrepreneurship, such as logging, agritourism and non-timber forest products.
Participants also had the opportunity to interact with international and local experts on topics such as forest biodiversity, silvicultural practices, forest fire management and the role of women and youth in the forestry sector. On the final day, participants gathered in Novobërdë to explore the recreational functions of forests and observe examples of sustainable tourism in the region.
During the conclusion of the Forestry Camp, Mr. Bajrush Ymeri, vice-mayor of the Municipality of Novobërda, was present, who thanked the participants and appreciated this very successful camp as a contributor to the awareness of the local population of Novobërda for the preservation and sustainable use of forests.
While the international expert of FAO, Andreas Ottitsch, said, among other things, that “this camp will confirm that forests are not only for wood mass, but also have many values in terms of social and ecology”.
Naser Krasniqi, local leader of FAO concluded the 2024 Forestry Camp by emphasizing the importance of this activity.
