On the 27th and 28th of March, organizations operating along the Vjosa River Basin, as part of the Vjosa Civil Society Network (VCSN), carried out an exchange visit to Ioannina and the Pindus National Park in Greece, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation and share valuable experiences on river protection and sustainable natural resource management.
During this visit, representatives of the Albanian organizations had the opportunity to meet and exchange with Greek organizations MedINA and Pindos Perivallontiki, both of which have long-standing experience in nature conservation, community engagement, and the development of sustainable environmental policies. Discussions focused on the most effective ways to protect the Aoos River – the continuation of the Vjosa in Greek territory – and the importance of cross-border cooperation in preserving shared ecosystems. The Greek representatives shared their experiences in protecting the Aoos, offering practical insights and solutions developed through their daily conservation work.
A key part of the program was the exploration of the Pindus National Park, where participants learned firsthand about best practices in biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of protected areas. This experience was considered particularly valuable for inspiring the application of similar models in the Albanian context. Participants showed special interest in understanding the national legal framework for national park protection, as well as relevant EU legislation.
Another highlight of the visit was the meeting with the Mayor of Zagori, Mr. Georgios Soukouvelos, where discussions focused on the crucial role of local governance in natural resource protection and the importance of building cross-border partnerships. The exchange reflected a shared interest in strengthening relationships and shaping a common vision for preserving the region’s wild rivers.
“For every action taken by the Ministry or the Environmental Agency, collaboration with the Municipality is essential – municipal consent is always required,” said the Mayor of Zagori, Georgios Soukouvelos.
He also emphasized the importance of the region’s recent inclusion in UNESCO:
“We have only been part of UNESCO for one year, and have received strong support from the central government. We are the only municipality in Greece with a dual status – both natural and cultural. This is a major advantage, as it is expected to increase tourism and visitation year after year.”
The bilateral cooperation between Albania and Greece has been a key component of the ESPID4Vjosa project, aiming to enhance effective and sustainable management of the Vjosa–Aoos River Basin.
