Strengthening Co-Management for Transboundary Nature Protection in the Sharr–Korab Region

Protecting shared mountain ecosystems requires more than formal borders and institutional mandates. It requires cooperation, trust, and practical mechanisms that bring together protected area authorities, local communities, and stakeholders.

The “Nature without Borders: Sharr–Korab Transboundary Protected Areas” project, implemented by the Albanian Local Capacity Development Foundation (ALCDF) in partnership with local organisations and protected area authorities in Albania and North Macedonia, focused on developing such a co-management approach. The initiative strengthened governance and on-the-ground collaboration across the Sharr–Korab protected area network.

At the core of this three-year project are several complementary coordination mechanisms designed to connect policy dialogue, operational cooperation, and community engagement.

At a strategic level, the project established a Strategic Partnership Group (SPG). This platform brings together national institutions and key stakeholders to discuss priorities for transboundary conservation, align policies, and support long-term cooperation between protected areas.

At the operational level, a Coordination and Operational Group (COG) links the management teams of the protected areas. Through regular meetings and joint planning, this group helps address shared challenges such as biodiversity monitoring, illegal activities, sustainable tourism, and habitat protection. It serves as a practical forum where park managers and technical staff exchange experiences and coordinate actions across borders.

Beyond institutional coordination, the project placed strong emphasis on community-based co-management. Local actors were engaged through Community Surveillance Networks, in which trained community members supported monitoring efforts by reporting environmental threats, such as illegal harvesting, fires, or habitat degradation. Women played a particularly active role, with more than 60 participants involved in these networks.

This collaborative governance framework translated into tangible field actions. Joint patrol groups enabled cross-border monitoring and enforcement, improved communication between ranger teams, and helped address illegal activities through dialogue-based solutions with local communities.

Co-management also proved essential in fire prevention and response. Risk mapping, training, and community awareness strengthened cooperation between protected area staff and local residents, improving early detection and coordinated response during the fire season.

Together, these mechanisms demonstrate that effective conservation in transboundary landscapes depends on strong partnerships. By linking institutions, communities, and field practitioners, the co-management approach promoted by ALCDF is helping to build a more resilient and collaborative model for protecting the shared natural heritage of the Sharr–Korab region.

By: “ALCDF”