CNVP Foundation

20/08/2026

𝐂𝐍𝐕𝐏 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐚 - 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

👉From 16 to 19 July, CNVP – North Macedonia organized a study visit for the Rural Woman of Prespa in Slovenia, aimed at gaining new knowledge and exchanging experiences in the field of ecological and sustainable agriculture, especially regarding the new species they cultivated. The visit provided participants with an opportunity to learn about successful local practices and models that could be adapted and applied to the association's work.

The first destination was the Gramona farm in Slovenian Istria, where participants learned about olive oil production 🫒and had the opportunity to taste olive oil, local wines🍷, and traditional products🥘. In Marezige, the visit to Zeliščni raj introduced them to the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal herbs and their processing into medicinal oils and tinctures.

In the Alpine region of Slovenia, the group visited Maline z doline, a local raspberry and blueberries farm🫐, where they exchanged experiences with the producer on raspberry cultivation and processing, followed by a tasting of homemade raspberry products. The study visit concluded with a visit to Vrt okusov, near Bled, where participants learned about organic production of food, herbs, and edible flowers.

Participants had a unique opportunity to meet an urban beekeeper 🐝in Ljubljana and learn more about urban beekeeping, the life of bees in urban environment, and their vital role in preserving biodiversity.

✅The visit was a valuable opportunity for learning, exchange, and inspiration, demonstrating how traditional agriculture, sustainable practices, and innovative processing can create new economic opportunities for rural women and local communities.

📌This activity was supported by UNDP MK and Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT project.

Zeliščni Raj Slovenske Istre
Vrt okusov - Garden of tastes

19/08/2026

🌱𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 – 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝!

👉The season for harvesting cultivated mountain tea is in full swing! In the village of Trebishte, North Macedonia, our sub-grantees, individual farmers Anife and Samet, are successfully growing and processing mountain tea (Sideritis Scardica).

It all starts with careful hand harvesting, followed by thorough inspection to remove any damaged or unsuitable parts. The tea is then dried and packaged, and the final product is brought to market under the recognizable “Gostilica Samet” brand.

This is more than just tea production – it is a story of hard work, local development, and the sustainable use of natural resources. The story of Anife and Samet is one of the many successful examples supported by CNVP and Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT, demonstrating how a local initiative can grow into a valuable and recognizable market product.🙂

18/08/2026

‼️Important information for everyone traveling by motor vehicle through the Shar Mountain.

17/08/2026

🐝Our former sub-grantee, the Beekeepers Association’’Poloski Med’’ from North Macedonia, sent us an interesting video showcasing their work and activities during the summer period.

🍯In addition to producing Api cosmetic products, the Association actively participates in various events, local manifestations, and fairs organized throughout the region.

👉With the support of CNVP and Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT, the “Polog Honey” Beekeepers Association expanded its range of bee products and took an important step towards developing new and innovative products.

14/08/2026

🐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬: 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬

Every flower tells a story—and pollinators help write it.

Wild bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects make it possible for thousands of wild plants to reproduce. In turn, these plants provide food and shelter for birds, mammals and countless other species.

Without pollinators, biodiversity declines, ecosystems weaken and even our food systems are put at risk.

The 𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, funded by Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT, works to protect landscapes where pollinators can thrive, helping preserve the natural balance that supports both wildlife and local communities.

🌼 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

14/08/2026

🐻🦅Enjoy this beautiful album dedicated to the richness and diversity of the wildlife of Shar Mountain. 🏔️🌿

📸Through these photographs, discover the animals and birds that inhabit this unique mountain landscape—from its dense forests and lush green pastures to its high-altitude mountain areas. Each species plays an important role in the natural ecosystem, contributing to the rich biodiversity and ecological balance of Shar Mountain.

Photo source: Nexhbedin Haliti
Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT

13/08/2026

🌲 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕

A healthy forest does much more than produce oxygen. It filters water, prevents soil erosion, provides livelihoods, and creates a home for thousands of plant and animal species.

𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘺—𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴.

12/08/2026

👉 Read the story about the Rural Women of Prespa, who, with the support of Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT and CNVP, are transforming local traditions into sustainable livelihoods!

✅ By combining traditional cuisine 🥘 , sustainable agriculture 🫐 , and digital skills 💻 , the Rural Women of Prespa are creating new economic opportunities while contributing to the preservation of their region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Link: https://www.pont.org/prespas-rural-women-transform-local.../

Prespa’s Rural Women Transform Local Traditions into Sustainable Livelihoods!

By blending traditional cuisine, sustainable farming, and digital skills, the women of are creating economic opportunities while safeguarding their region’s natural and cultural heritage. Across Prespa’s villages, rural women are demonstrating how local traditions can foster community resilience, environmental protection, and economic growth.
Read more👉https://www.pont.org/prespas-rural-women-transform-local-traditions-into-sustainable-livelihoods/


CNVP Foundation

12/08/2026

𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨. 🌲

At CNVP Albania, we work alongside local partners to restore degraded forests, protect biodiversity, and build resilience against climate change. In 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗵, this commitment came to life through the planting of 𝟭𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, helping transform fire-affected land into the foundation of a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.

Every restoration site tells a story of patience. Forests are not rebuilt in a day, but through continuous care, local knowledge, and long-term commitment. This is the impact we strive for—leaving landscapes stronger than we found them and ensuring that future generations inherit forests full of life.

Together with Raiffeisen Bank, we continue investing in nature because restoring forests means investing in our shared future.

11/08/2026

🌿 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 🌿

𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥.

At 𝗟𝗶𝗾𝗲𝗻𝗶 𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗸𝘂𝘁, one of the hidden natural treasures of the Kukës region, students, local institutions, protected area authorities and the CNVP Albania team came together around a shared purpose: caring for a landscape that belongs to all of us.

For CNVP Albania, this was more than a community activity. It reflects the vision of the 𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗦𝗘 – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 project, which applies the internationally recognized 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱'𝘀 𝟰 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. This approach reminds us that successful landscape restoration is not only about protecting nature—it is about restoring the relationship between people and the places they call home.

The 4 Returns Framework is built on four interconnected outcomes:
🌱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – giving people hope and motivation to care for nature.
🤝 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 – strengthening communities through cooperation, knowledge and shared responsibility.
🌳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 – restoring biodiversity, ecosystems and healthy landscapes.
💚 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 – creating sustainable opportunities that support local livelihoods over the long term.

Activities like this help lay the foundation for a future where protected landscapes are valued not only for their beauty, but also for the opportunities they create for people, biodiversity and future generations.

Through PULSE project, funded by Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT, CNVP Albania is working with local communities, institutions and partners to build that future—one landscape, one partnership and one shared vision at a time.