January, 2020

Improved staffing levels with sufficient technical and human capacity are critical elements required for improving the current management effectiveness of the Regional Administration of Protected Areas (RAPA) in Korça. The RAPA overseas the management of Prespa National Park. The effective implementation of the Management Plan of the Prespa National Park in Albania for the period 2014-2024 requires further staffing of the RAPA. This cannot be achieved through the budget, which …

PONT grantees actively participated in the 54th count season of the annual International Waterbird Census that took place on the second weekend of January 2020. Although situated at high altitudes, the Greater and Lesser Prespa Lakes consistently host 35,000 to 55,000 waterbirds every winter, significantly exceeding the requirement to be considered a Wetland of International Importance. The census provides a valuable snapshot of waterbird population sizes and trends at the …

In December 2019 PONT signed a grant to the Public Institution Galicica National Park (PIGNP) to cover 50% of the total costs for implementing their 2020 Operational Plan. PIGNP’s resources will be directed to maintaining and developing the key functions of the institution, in line with the IUCN Category II protected area management guidelines, with the following being priorities for 2020: biodiversity monitoring and reporting in line with national and …

The Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) recently agreed to combine their efforts in the Wider Prespa Area by issuing a joint Call for Proposals for small grants. With similarities in both their strategies, and the view to enabling longer-term interventions with greater impact, PONT and CEPF invite applications from eligible organizations to address the conservation needs around the sustainable management of water catchments and …