Empowering Mount Shara: A Collaborative Initiative for Sustainable Local Entrepreneurship in the Shar Mountain National Park

Over the span of the last 13 months, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Center for Education and Development (CED), based in Tearce near the Shar Mountain National Park in North Macedonia, successfully executed the project ” A Better Sharr Starts With You”. This initiative was made possible through the generous support of a PONT grant and was implemented in partnership with the NGO Initiative for Civic Integration (IGI), based in Gostivar.

The primary focus of the project was to raise awareness around biodiversity within the Shar Mountain National Park among local entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the Public Institution Shar Mountain National Park (PISHMNP). The project kicked off with a comprehensive study to assess the needs and capacities provided by Shar Mountain for eco-entrepreneurs. Guided by these findings, CED enlisted external consultants to design and implement a training program consisting of three modules. These modules covered various topics, including branding of local nature-based tourism products, business planning, entrepreneurship, and capacity building. The training was delivered to 30 participants hailing from villages in the Shar Mountain NP and surrounding areas.

In June 2023, a study visit was organised to Mavrovo National Park, followed by another visit to Theth National Park in Albania in September 2023. These visits provided participants with tangible examples of successful resource management and thriving eco-enterprises within National Parks, all with extensive experience.

One of the participants in the project activities, Muhamet Jashari, a beekeeper from the village of Veshalla located in the park, in the Municipality of Tetovo, stated:

“My work with bees has been significantly influenced by the training I received. These sessions provided us with excellent methods, including controlling the burial level in bees and handling them. The training encouraged me to produce more hives and replace old ones with new ones. Additionally, we learned effective ways to advertise our business. Looking ahead, I am considering modernising the honey packaging. The visit to Mavrovo left a lasting impression, especially the story of a woman who started a family business from scratch and achieved great success. A similar impact occurred during my visit to Theth, Albania, where more than 40 guesthouses managed family businesses show cased their highly successful model. Through this project, we gained crucial knowledge on initiating and promoting a family business. For the future, it would be beneficial to continue with new projects that involve activities and innovations for family businesses.”

Leon Zoksimoski, from Gorno Jelovce, Gostivar, a young farmer and beekeeper, shared his thoughts:

“I learned about the project at a consultation meeting and immediately became interested in its vision and purpose. I actively participated in the three training sessions organised at Popova Shapka. All three sessions were immensely valuable, providing knowledge that proved particularly helpful in areas where I lacked expertise, such as financial planning and product branding. Balancing the demands of our agricultural work with these business aspects was challenging, but the training offered practical insights that had a significant impact. Since completing the training, I’ve successfully increased product sales by 20%. Exploring existing businesses in national parks across the country and neighboring Albania broadened my perspective on operating in the Mount Shara region. The experiences gained through this project have transformed my perceptions of the National Park in a profoundly positive way. I now view protected nature as an integral part of each of us, recognising the untapped potential that can be harnessed sustainably to enrich our surroundings. The ‘A Better Shar Starts with You’ project has not only equipped me with essential skills but has also sparked a shift in my approach to the delicate balance between economic pursuits and environmental conservation. I am confident that with this newfound knowledge, there is ample potential to unlock the sustainable wealth of our natural resources.”

Veli Veliu, Hostel owner from Vejtse, a village of Veshalla located in the park, in the Municipality of Tetovo, reflected:

“The training sessions I attended made a significant difference in how I approach my work. I was taught the nitty-gritty of starting a business—from coming up with an idea to diving into market analysis, understanding country-specific factors, getting to know customers, and crafting a solid business plan. It was like a step-by-step guide to the business world. What stuck with me the most was learning about the common problems entrepreneurs face. It was eye-opening to see how these issues can be avoided or solved. The best part was receiving advice from experienced entrepreneurs and pros in the business world. The study visit in Mavrovo was very important. Seeing how a national park operates and understanding the ins and outs of tourism in that setting gave me a clearer picture of how I could make things work in Mount Shar. What I have learned during this training is extensive, but the most important one is how to build a business in several steps with a clear idea (plan) for each step and not to start a business without an idea or plan. I would like to participate in any training held in connection with business, tourism, etc.”

The ‘A Better Shar Starts with You’ project concluded in November 2023 with the organisation of the first fair of eco-enterprises at the Sharr Mountain National Park offices. This fair provided a platform for participants, eco-entrepreneurs, and local residents to showcase their services and products within the framework of the Sharr Mountain National Park.

Both CED and IGI are active members of the “Friends of Shar” platform of NGOs, which played a crucial role in advocating for the establishment of the park, culminating in its legal designation in 2021. Collaborating with park authorities, we NGOs aim to support eco-tourism and foster the development of local communities, addressing their economic, social, and cultural needs while preserving the unique biodiversity and rural landscape of the area cultivated over centuries.

By: Metin Muaremi, Ardonit Ismaili, CED & Sunchica Gjurchinovska, IGI