Petra joined PONT as Grant Coordinator in November 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in environmental protection and the management of protected areas in North Macedonia. Since 2019, Petra has been instrumental in formalising the management of Dojran Lake, a previously unmanaged but ecologically significant protected area. She led the coordination of three large-scale, donor-funded projects focused on enhancing the lake’s protection and management, including the development of its inaugural management plan.

Petra specialises in aquatic ecology, sustainable water resource management, and climate resilience. She has contributed as an expert in crafting project concepts aimed at making North Macedonia’s water sector more sustainable and adaptable to climate change. As a member of river basin councils across the country, she actively shapes strategies for the protection and sustainable utilisation of water resources.

Her academic credentials include a PhD in Natural Sciences from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and the University of Bremen in Germany. With over a decade of research experience and a robust portfolio of scientific publications in aquatic ecology, her technical expertise has been central to her conservation work. This includes addressing pollution challenges at Dojran Lake through nature-based solutions and innovative wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Beyond her technical acumen, Petra is a seasoned project manager with extensive experience fostering collaboration among NGOs, governmental institutions, and local communities. Her decision to return to North Macedonia after years of studying and working in Germany and Croatia underscores her commitment to advancing environmental protection and improving the management of protected areas across the Balkans.