Nature Heritage Incubator: Cultivating Futures in the Albanian Green Belt

Challenge 

The regions along the Albanian Green Belt face significant environmental and socio-economic pressures. High levels of youth emigration, driven by inadequate public services and economic opportunities, has led to the abandonment of this critical ecological area. In addition, unsustainable tourism and agricultural threaten protected areas, ecological corridors, and traditional land-use practices, undermining both conservation efforts and local livelihoods.

Objective

The project aimed to strengthen young people's connection with the Albanian Green Belt by enhancing their knowledge and skills in nature conservation and related professional fields such as sustainable tourism and handicrafts, and by increasing their involvement in these areas. The project sought to establish long-lasting partnerships between young people, local businesses, communities, and protected area managers, in order to promote and protect the region in the long term.

Approach

The project achieved its goals by: 

• Inspiring learning through awareness raising activities, field visits and youth exchanges;

• Building practical skills through training, mentoring and professional internships;

• Strengthening cooperation between communities, local businesses and protected area managers;

• Promoting the Albanian Green Belt through storytelling, hiking trails and support for green local businesses.

Achieved Results

The project successfully achieved its goals, producing results that lasted beyond the end of the project. It engaged 40 young people, delivered five professional internships, and established five youth-led storytelling initiatives to promote the Albanian Green Belt. New partnerships, practical resources and local cooperation continue to support nature conservation, sustainable tourism and local heritage.