Northern forest initiative: Forest restoration in North Macedonia and Albania

According to Global Forest Watch, North Macedonia lost 5,5% and Albania 6,5% of total tree cover in the last 20 years. Same negative trends are recognisable in high biodiversity value regions like core areas of Critically Endangered Balkan Lynx and in crucial wildlife corridors. Climate change consequences contribute to increased wildfire damages in the whole region. The diversity of stands and resilience of the forest ecosystem has decreased, leaving it exposed to the adverse effects of pests and diseases. The NFI Project aim is contribute toward preventing further net loss of forests in Albania and North Macedonia through initiating restoration work in key biodiversity landscapes outside the protected areas and strengthening capacities and commitments toward sustainable forest management. The project will be implemented by applying Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for forest landscape restoration in areas of importance for the conservation of the Balkan Lynx, specifically Bukovikj in North Macedonia and Pashtrik-Morina in Albania. Forest landscape restoration work conducted will have multiple benefits as direct outcomes, such as carbon sequestration, ecosystem resilience, etc. At the same time, this project serves not only to contribute directly in compensating forest loss but also to raise capacities and commitments to future restoration efforts, pledges and achievements under the Bonn Challenge and sustainable management of forest in both countries.