Project News

There are six local communities within the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park (DKNP). Our project office is located at Divjake which is a regional center of the park area. The JCC (Joint Coordinating Committee) will meet at least once a year chaired by the Deputy Minister of MoEFWA (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration).

The JCC saw a great success with participants from the Ministry, the local communities and local stakeholders. Diverse opinion were raised including suggestion to stimulate the technical input from relevant sectors by inviting Ministries and Agencies in charge of Agriculture, Tourism and National Territorial Planning.

For the first meeting of the JCC, JICA representatives from the Global Environment Department in Japan participated as well as from the Balkan office. This project is the first technical cooperation scheme in Albania. The JICA's feature "to assist Albanian side to play the leading role through capacity development" was introduced. The feature was appreciated by the participants. After the meeting positive comments were raised, one participant saying "we agreed with the JICA's philosophy and realized the importance that we (Albanian side) should take the initiatives and engage in the project'.

In this regard, to assist diverse actors of Albanian side, two Japanese experts were dispatched and work closely with the chief of the National Park Management Office. We make the best effort to invite and involve various stakeholders such as in tourism, fishing, and education sectors to reflect their views on the sustainable management of the National Park while maintaining sustainable development of the area.