A national training on “Biodiversity in National Forest Policies and Plans”, organized within the Agriculture Policy Dialogue (APD) Germany-Southeast Europe project was held on September 29, 2025, at the Special Hunting Area in Blinaje. The event gathered forestry and environmental experts from various Kosovo institutions.
Participants included representatives from the Kosovo* Forestry Agency, Directorate for Forest Management, Regional Directorates, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Sharra Mountains National Park, Kosovo Environmental Research Centre (KERC), Faculty of Forest Sciences – Ukshin Hoti University in Prizren.
Key Presentations and Discussions
Mr. Menders Ibra, Director of the Directorate for Forest Management, opened the training with a presentation on the current situation of the forest sector in Kosovo*, covering forest resources, health and condition of forests, and key organizational, legislative, and structural aspects. The presentation sparked active discussions among participants.
Professor Qenan Maxhuni (KERC) presented Kosovo’s* Natural Heritage and Its Protection, focusing on the country’s protected areas, biodiversity richness, and conservation challenges. Participants discussed the management of natural monuments and institutional efforts in biodiversity preservation.
Mr. Faruk Bojaxhi followed with Close-to-Nature Forestry, explaining the concept as promoted in the EU Forest Strategy for 2030. He highlighted the importance of maintaining ecosystem integrity through natural regeneration, mixed species composition, and sustainable harvesting methods. The approach supports climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in managed forests.
Mr. Bojaxhi also presented on The State of Forest Biodiversity in Kosovo*, emphasizing findings from various studies. Kosovo hosts over 1,800 plant species, including 200 endemic and eight steno-endemic species, making it one of Europe’s biodiversity hotspots. The Sharr Mountains and Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Parks are recognized as Important Plant, Bird, and Butterfly Areas due to their exceptional biodiversity.
Further, the presentation reviewed legal and strategic frameworks, including the Law on Forests, Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2020), and the Red Book of Vascular Plants (2013), all promoting the protection of rare and endangered species.
Field Component and Practical Exercises
In the final session, Mr. Bojaxhi introduced Tree Microhabitats—emphasizing the ecological importance of individual trees as habitats for diverse organisms. Participants learned how to identify habitat trees, evaluate their features, and manage them sustainably. The training concluded with a field visit, where participants applied theoretical knowledge in practice. Through interactive discussions, they explored the assessment of biodiversity elements, natural regeneration, and the role of wetlands and invasive species.
Conclusion
The training provided a comprehensive overview of biodiversity integration in forest management, combining scientific knowledge, policy perspectives, and field-based learning. Participants expressed strong commitment to applying the discussed principles in their professional activities to support sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation in Kosovo*.
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
