PONT Connect feasibility mission

In the southwestern Balkans, protected areas serve as fundamental components of national conservation initiatives and are integral to the methodology employed by PONT. To be effective, these protected areas must possess sufficient size and be ecologically connected to their surrounding environments.

During the period of 2022-2024, in collaboration with local experts, seven CCAs were identified within the PONT Focus Area, linking the transboundary Prespa-Ohrid watersheds with the protected area clusters of Shebenik-Jablanica, Korab-Shara, Albanian Alps, and Pindos-Aoos-Vjosa. Following the recommendations outlined in the CCA expert studies and in consultation with the relevant national environmental authorities, PONT initiated a call for proposals inviting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to implement pilot interventions in priority ecological corridors within the identified CCAs.

Currently, PONT is pursuing additional funding to support ongoing connectivity conservation grants in Albania and North Macedonia. French public funding might be available to address this need, and a prospective French donor has engaged the Baastel company to assist PONT in finalising the funding proposal. For this, Baastel organised a feasibility mission from 2^nd-10^th ofSeptember 2024 within the PONT Focus Area.

The primary objective of this mission was to gain insights into the initial pilot grants initiated in early 2023, to collect and analyse preliminary results from these grants, to identify key challenges encountered during their implementation, and to develop a comprehensive map of stakeholders involved in the CCAs. This information will aid the contracted company in refining the final proposal for funding.

The mission, which included both international and local experts, engaged with various national and local stakeholders, NGOs, and Local Government Units involved in the implementation of connectivity corridor grants. Additionally, field visits were conducted in three ecological corridors to better understand the perspectives of the local communities regarding the significance and benefits of connectivity conservation in these regions.

In conclusion, the mission undertaken this September represents a significant step in advancing connectivity conservation efforts within the PONT Focus Area and the lessons learned from these early interventions will help shape future conservation strategies, ensuring the preservation of vital ecological corridors in the southwestern Balkans.