July, 2020

A formally approved Management Plan (MP), meeting PONT’s requirements laid out in the Framework Agreements with the governments of Albania and North Macedonia, is one of the key requirements for the Protected Areas authorities in the Wider Prespa Area in order to be considered by PONT for possible funding. PONT may also support the development of a Protected Area MP under the conditions specified in the Framework Agreements, including …

PONT aims to expand its work beyond the Prespa region to include other areas such as the Ohrid lake basin. With the help of KfW Development Bank, the GOPA Worldwide Consultants in association with Stritih Sustainable Development recently started the work on a Feasibility Study for Expanding the Focus Area of the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), expected to be completed in October 2020. The study will look at …

In June the Albanian Centre of Environmental Governance (ACEG) published a call for applications for Prespa community members to participate in a Youth Academy in the field of nature tourism. In total 62 applicants registered, including 27 from Devoll Municipality and 35 from Pustec Municipality. The applicants belong to the following age groups: 40-60 years: 14 Individuals (5 women and 9 men) 30-39 Years: 15 Individuals (5 women and …

Since North Macedonia’s lockdown was lifted on 26 May 2020, Galicica National Park has been a popular destination for the people in the Prespa-Ohrid region and across the country, seeking relaxation in nature after their indoor isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the park has kept the entrances open and waived entrance fees until the end of June. While respecting the Government measures and …

On 3 July the Korça Regional Administration for Protected Areas (RAPA) for Prespa National Park, Albania, met with PONT and the KfW financed project “Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa” (KfW PRESPA), implemented by GFA and INCA. In the meeting the results of the previous PONT grant were evaluated and lessons learned were discussed. The highlights of the previous grant period include: Recruitment of new staff and introducing them to the …