The inauguration ceremony of the Center for Capacity Building in Forestry in Blinajë was held today, where eight off-road vehicles and technical equipment were also handed over to the Kosovo Forest Agency, financed by the EU Office in Kosovo and the Embassy of Sweden.

This Center aims to strengthen professional skills and increase efficiency in forest management in the country. In addition to the center, the Agency has also been equipped with new vehicles and technical equipment to improve fieldwork.

During the ceremony, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Office in Kosovo, Hubert Perr, emphasized the importance of investing in forest protection and boosting professional capacities. He highlighted that forest fires are increasing every year and that modern vehicles are needed to manage them.

“Forests are one of Kosovo’s greatest treasures. With this new Center and the equipment we are delivering today, we are investing not only in infrastructure but also in the people who protect these landscapes for future generations… We want to enable you, on one hand, to have training sessions like today, but also to improve your working conditions by delivering critical tools, including 8 Beagle vehicles to assist with inspections. Previously, we delivered 6 Maple vehicles, but the issue is also the fire-fighting equipment. Due to climate change and different annual experiences, wildfires are becoming more frequent every summer, and you need the necessary equipment to reduce fires from the start. Therefore, we are happy to support you with this. These tools will enable you to perform your work better, with more efficiency and effectiveness, whether they are drones, GPS units, cameras, or lighting equipment that will support the Kosovo Forest Agency,” Perr said.

Meanwhile, Henrik Riby, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, said that the partnership with Kosovo has brought important investments, but institutions are still facing challenges in absorbing support and combating illegal forestry activities.

“This event proves that shared responsibility and a common goal strengthen the system and protect these resources. Together with the EU, we have invested 2.5 million euros in recent years to support new reforms, staff training, the information system, new management plans, communication tools, deployment of national forces, as well as all the equipment coming from the EU. These resources safeguard the foundation of the future, but still, informal activities have not decreased recently. Institutions are facing difficulties in absorbing the support provided. In many aspects, the situation is similar to 2019, with Kosovo’s agencies being stronger, yet still with limited resources—but with your services being better than ever. This shows that the tools are a good start, but they are not enough,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development, Lazar Radulović, said that international support has brought significant improvements and that the new equipment will increase the efficiency of the Forest Agency.

“In recent years, through donor-funded projects, the forestry sector in Kosovo has received significant professional support, which has enabled the strengthening and development of capacities, as well as the improvement of the sustainable use of forest resources. The overall condition of the forestry sector in Kosovo shows important improvements, along with the current socio-economic situation, which has undoubtedly contributed to better recognition of the values, potential, and general condition of Kosovo’s forests… With this equipment, the Kosovo Forest Agency will be even more efficient in developing professional tasks and the sustainable management of forests,” Radulović said.

The Director of the Forest Management Department at KFA, Menderes Ibra, said that the vehicles and technical equipment have already made fieldwork easier, especially in fire protection.

“The Kosovo Forest Agency has also received technical equipment, starting from this center in Blinajë, but also the vehicles—eight now, and earlier we received six—and ICT equipment that is necessary for our staff’s work in the field. This equipment has made our staff’s work easier, aiming to increase the efficiency of their field work. The fire-protection equipment is important, and trainings as well; let’s not forget that through the program, many trainings have been conducted for the forestry agency’s staff,” Ibra said.

Finally, Naser Krasniqi from FAO emphasized that this investment is significantly helping in combating illegal logging and other unlawful activities in forests.

“This confirms the continuous commitment of international partnership with Kosovo’s institutions in supporting the forestry sector… This equipment is adequate and contributes effectively to combating illegal forestry activities,” Krasniqi added.

The total cost of this Center with equipment amounts to 2.5 million euros.

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