Living Buna project partners are calling interested residents of the Buna River Velipoja Protected Landscape to submit their ideas to receive funding for projects that would benefit socio-economic development and ecosystem restoration of the area. The ultimate goal of the Call is to contribute to the long-term conservation of species and habitats in this protected area, by supporting concrete on the ground action. The call closes on 23 September 2019 14:30 CET.

The ideas should be linked to one (or several) of the identified thematic priorities:

1. Coastal habitat restoration (potential activities could include afforestation of degraded and fragmented riverine forest; restoration of sand dune areas or other habitats of importance or inventory of biodiversity rich and vulnerable coastal areas/habitats);

2. Agro-environmental incentive schemes (as an example could focus on environmentally friendly storage containers for manure; habitats’ protection within the agricultural land; improvement of irrigation systems; growing and sustainable harvest of native medicinal plants; improvement of water quality or educational activities);

3. Sustainable tourism and infrastructure development (projects could propose the development of thematic eco-friendly walking trails, promotion of most important habitats and species of the area, development of sustainable eco-tourism offers, waste management improvement or educational  activities, amongst other); and

4. Sustainable fisheries (potential activities could include the establishment of eco-friendly fish farms; support of sustainable fish breeding facilities or traditional and eco-friendly fishing activities).

Projects should be minimum 3 and maximum 7 months long, and preferably involve the local communities and aim to conserve ecological and cultural values of Buna River Velipoje Protected Landscape while enabling the sustainable use of ecosystem services.

Who can apply?

NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, University and local communities residing within the Buna River-Velipoje Protected Landscape (BRVPL) located in the Shkodra Municipality of north-western Albania. Organizations based outside of this protected area can only apply in coalition with locals.

When?

The Call for proposals is open from 21 August until 23 September 2019 14:30 CET.

How?

Proposals can be submitted electronically to INCA or in the form of hard copies to RAPA Shkodra.

To facilitate the process and encourage the local community to apply, Living Buna partners will organise a series of meetings in the municipal units Rrethinat, Ana e Malit, Dajç, Velipojë, Bërdicë, Bushat, Balldren i Ri, and Shëngjin in the course of the week starting 26 August. Detailed schedule and meeting locations will be announced as soon as agreed.

IUCN, PAP/RAC, GWP-Med, Tour du Valat and INCA, in collaboration with NAPA and RAPA Shkodra are launching the Small Grants Programme, as part of the Living Buna project, financed by the MAVA Foundation.

http://livingbuna.org/pdf/documents/buna-river-velipoje-pl-management-plan.pdf