PONT supports PPNEA in updating its organizational Strategy and Action Plan

Building upon the 2016 Review of Conservation Efforts in the Transboundary Prespa area, conducted by the PrespaNet NGO network, and in close cooperation with the protected area authorities and Environmental Actors, PONT adopted its Strategic Framework in 2017, comprising a set of objectives, funding priorities and indicators of progress for 2018–2027.

Over the past two years PONT has supported the PrespaNet members, the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), and the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) in establishing their local offices in Gorice e Vogel and Resen. This was an important step in increasing their capacity for management, governance and monitoring of their conservation work in Prespa – one of the five capacity building-related objectives set out in PONT’s Strategic Framework.

Another significant step in achieving this objective was made in 2020 with PONT supporting PPNEA in updating its organisational Strategy and the related Action Plan. PONT has contracted Klodiana Thartori, an external expert, to provide guidance and advice to PPNEA in the process. Having previously assisted PPNEA in organising team building activities and developing a work plan for its new Prespa office, and drawing upon her extensive experience in organisational capacity development, the consultant designed and facilitated a process that involved all of PPNEA’s staff.

After assessing the organisational setup and processes, the consultant developed a set of working documents and training materials, and organised three workshops with all PPNEA staff, two of which were organised without the presence of the Executive Director, Aleksander Trajce who decided to give the staff an opportunity to freely express their ideas and vision for the new strategic plan. Through open, in-depth discussions, structured and facilitated by the consultant, the workshop participants agreed on the organisation’s mission and vision, and then evaluated PPNEA’s current organisational capacity and needs by conducting a new Civil Society Tracking Tool (CSTT), SWOT analysis and by using other up-to-date tools and techniques.

The workshop participants agreed on the new strategic goals of PPNEA and a set of related objectives, and then drafted a list of activities to be included in the Action Plan, including those related to their work in Prespa. The workshops provided an excellent opportunity for the PPNEA staff to enhance their knowledge and skills related to organisational development and management and also to build strong ownership of the new Strategy.

Under the lead of PPNEA’s Executive Director, the process continues with writing up the body text of the Strategy and finalising the Action Plan, with the consultant providing good practice examples, comments and suggestions, as well as ideas about how to integrate the document into the daily work of PPNEA and follow up on its implementation.

The new organisational Strategy and Action Plan of PPNEA for the period from 2020 to 2024 is expected to be formally endorsed in June 2020. A short version of the document will be published and communicated to key stakeholders through PPNEA’s website and social media.