Empower Environmental Civil Society Organisations to Promote Nature Protection in Albania
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
National Agency for Protected Areas (NAPA)
01/05/2018 - 31/10/2020
Overall Objective
The project aims to improve the sustainable management of environmental assets, in particular natural assets in four protected areas, by fostering participatory and transparent governance inclusive of ECSOs and supported by public authorities and media.
It aims to support ECSO’s advocacy work for environmental protection, fight against corruption in the field of environmental protection and the fight against climate change, and enforce the right to information about decision- making processes affecting the environment.
Summary of the Project
The project supported capacity building for environmental civil society organisations (ECSOs) in Albania by awarding them with grants. As a result, the beneficiary ECSOs increased their knowledge, skills and capacity to engage in advocacy activities at the national level, but also at the pilot sites selected. The ECSOs also have a better capacity to participate in decision-making processes related to nature conservation and management of protected areas. The beneficiary ECSOs joined a national network together with the project partners, while actively participating in the main project activities.
Activities
- Create a national network of ECSOs
- Financial assistance to beneficiary ECSOs
- Produce an Advocacy & Lobbying Handbook
- Develop and conduct a national training on advocacy
- Conduct a series of trainings on national legislation and combating corruption in the areas of sustainable use of natural resources and management of protected areas
- Conduct a needs assessment for the regulatory framework on natural resources and use of public assets
- Engage ECSOs in drafting policy recommendations for their country and submit them to the relevant authorities
- Conduct a series of public forums
- Organise a series of media workshops
- Organise a media competition to encourage reporting on public participation, right to information, sustainable use of natural resources and public assets management process
Expected Results
• Targeted ECSOs strengthen their knowledge, skills and capacities to engage in advocacy and participate in decision-making processes related to nature conservation and management of protected areas, while improving their organisational and networking skills
• The regulatory framework governing nature conservation is improved through constructive engagement of ECSOs in decision-making processes
• The decision-making process on nature conservation in the pilot areas provides for inclusive, effective and equitable participation of ECSOs actors and other key non-governmental stakeholders
• Selected media in target areas improve their understanding of the civil society role in public life and environmental protection, and increase their coverage of civil society’s role in decision-making processes
Edvin Pacara
Edvin.PACARA@eeas.europa.eu
