A KfW mission comprising Dr. Matthias Grüninger (Principal Portfolio Manager) and Dr. Gerhard Dieterle (Senior Natural Resources Specialist) undertook an implementation progress review of the “Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT)” from 9-14 July 2023. The mission worked closely with the PONT management team and held consultations with senior management and staff of relevant national environmental institutions, in particular the National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA) of the Republic of Albania, the Regional Administrations for Protected Areas (RAPAs) at Kukes (Albanian Alps NP), as well as the park administration of the Shar Mountain National Park in North Macedonia.
The mission visited the Shar Mountain National Park in North Macedonia and the Albanian Alps National Park (Valbona Valley) in Albania and held consultations with community representatives at Bozovce village in North Macedonia and Valbona in Albania. The mission would like to express its deep gratitude for the warm welcome and kind assistance received as well as the open and constructive discussions held during the mission’s stay. The mission gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary support and guidance provided and the hospitality offered by PONT’s management team, national / regional and protected area authorities and community representatives. All stakeholders reiterated their full support to ensuring the successful implementation of the grants financed by PONT.
The Mission assessed the value-added of PONT financing for Shar Mountain National Park: ‘PONT provided a critical contribution to ensure a swift and impactful establishment of the administrative structure and initiation of operations of the management plan. It is now important that PONT financing is complemented by additional sources from government but also from other sources, such as collecting fees / taxes from users of the park including tour operating businesses. PONT financing assured high-quality outcomes which however would not have been possible without the highly effective work of the most dedicated and committed park management team’.
For the Albanian Alps National Park, the mission concluded: ‘PONT is providing a critical contribution to ensure a swift and impactful establishment of the administrative structure and initiation of operations of the new / expanded national park and the effective implementation of its management plan. Without financial support for hiring additional staff and covering administrative costs, both RAPAs would not be in a position to manage the six-fold increase of the park area’.
A big thank you from the PONT team for all partners contributing to this successful mission!
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