Building a Resilient Future: Albania’s Holistic Landscape Management and Restoration Workshop with Commonland

On June 3rd and 4th, a comprehensive Training for Trainers workshop on Holistic Landscape Management and Restoration was successfully held, bringing together approximately 25 participants from various local organisations. Attendees included representatives from REC, ALCDF, INCA, PPNEA, Eco Albania, CNVP, World Vision Albania and PONT, all committed to advancing sustainable environmental practices in the region. As of 2025, the PONT Focus Area covers up to 2 million hectares across Albania, Greece and North Macedonia with further room for geographical and thematic expansion such as connectivity conservation, linking climate change with biodiversity conservation, environmental peacebuilding, and EU accession. The workshop is facilitated by the Commonland Foundation with the support of the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), a key supporter of conservation in the region.

Commonland is an internationally renowned not-for-profit organisation dedicated to accelerating holistic landscape restoration and management worldwide. Commonland’s innovative approach emphasises integrated solutions that balance ecological, social, economic and inspirational factors to foster resilient landscapes. The 4 Returns Framework for Healthy Landscapes, developed by Commonland, is a proven method that has been used in over 20 countries to bring communities, businesses, and governments together to regenerate degraded landscapes over a 20+ year period.

Participants were welcomed into an engaging and interactive environment that combined global learning with local relevance. The workshop kicked off with a powerful introduction by Willem Ferwerda, founder of Commonland, who shared real-life examples of successful landscape restoration efforts in Spain, South Africa, Australia, India, and the Netherlands. Facilitated by Commonland’s learning expert, Zina Burgers, key insights from the workshop included the importance of developing a shared vision, effective long-term planning for sustained impact and intergenerational benefits, the value of participation and knowledge exchange, and adopting a holistic approach to landscape management.

What truly enriched the training was the active engagement and experience-sharing among participants. Representatives from a diverse range of environmental organisations—from NGOs and nature reserves to community-based initiatives—brought forward real-life practices, challenges, and innovations from their own work in the field. The workshop became a platform not just for learning, but for mutual exchange, as participants reflected on how the 4 Returns Framework could support and amplify their missions. These shared insights sparked lively discussions, peer learning, and a deeper sense of collective purpose. This collaborative spirit underscored a core aim of the event: to begin building a shared language and approach for holistic, regenerative work across Albania’s diverse landscapes.

A special moment came with the visit of the Dutch Ambassador, Mr. Reinout Vos, who acknowledged the importance of long-term, inclusive approaches to restoration and the strengthening of Albanian Dutch collaboration in environmental action.

As Albania grapples with outmigration, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, holistic solutions are needed more than ever. This workshop was not just a training, but a catalyst—energising a community of practice that is ready to restore landscapes, regenerate livelihoods, and build resilience from the ground up.

PONT Executive Director, Mirjam de Koning, stated “it is truly inspiriting to see the collaborative action in this group and the power of cooperation. Together we are stronger to tackle the climate change crisis and to come to nature-based solutions”. Participants left the training with a deeper understanding, new tools, and strong connections. The momentum is clear: a growing network of committed actors is ready to bring the 4 Returns to life in Albania. The ambition is that this will not only lead to further collaboration, but also to holistic landscape management plans that will enable key actors in policy and business to participate. All participants saw it as a great way to contribute to the goals of World Environment Day on June 5th!