Report from the workshop Regional Cooperation for Development and Restoration of Ecological Networks in the Western Balkan Region, 19-20 October, 2009 Popova Shapka, Macedonia

Policy makers and researchers from the Western Balkan countries gathered in the mountain area Popova Shapka in Macedonia to discuss the current state of the art and the future perspectives of ecological networks’ development in the region as a strategy to prevent the current fragmentation of natural habitats and ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. The two days workshop took place in October 19th and 20th and was co-organized by Wageningen International and Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and University of Prishtina.

The event was opened by the Minister of Environment of Macedonia Mr. Nedzati Jakupi, who actively supports nature conservation initiatives in the region including Shar mountain biodiversity preservation and the development of Natura 2000 ecological network in Macedonia and in the Western Balkans region in order to comply with the European Habitat and Birds directives.  The workshop was given a full attention by the local media including number of interviews with the participants, sharing their views and ideas for cooperation.
During the workshop policy makers and researchers from the Western Balkans countries and from the Netherlands presented their current knowledge and experiences on how to establish better connectivity between the natural parks in their countries. The current significance and function of the ecological networks strategy has been discussed as well as the methodologies and approaches for their implementation based on Natura 2000 and Emerald networks. Next to that the important institutional factors influencing the progress with ecological networks have been underpinned by the participants such as the current nature conservation policies and the organizational structures of the competent ministries responsible for nature conservation and the processes of decision making between these ministries in the region.
Some of the most important needs mentioned include the fulfillment of the database gaps on habitats and the species’ distribution including their mapping, the need to increase the capacity of the researchers and governmental experts in the field of landscape ecology and in applying the ecological networks development methodologies and the need to strengthen the cooperation between researchers and policy makes in developing national policies and strategies on ecological networks. Based on this needs assessment some ideas and proposals for future joint actions and funding acquisition have been discuses. As a conclusion participants agreed to present the recommendations and the ideas developed during the workshops to their competent authorities in the region to contribute to the prioritization of the issue within the current governmental action plans.