On 17–18 September 2025, the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme organized a training on “Climate Change and Land Use in the Context of Landscape Fire Management” at Abi Green Hotel, Prevallë.
The training brought together approximately 20 participants, including experts, institutional representatives, and civil society stakeholders, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and strengthening capacities to address the impacts of climate change on land use and landscape fire management (LFM).
The training was held within the framework of the LFMWB Programme, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and was jointly organized by the LFMWB Regional Executive Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development.
The objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to integrate climate change considerations into planning and decision-making processes, including both mitigation and adaptation measures in fire management.
The program combined expert presentations with interactive discussions, allowing participants not only to understand the impacts of climate change and land use practices from scientific and policy perspectives but also to develop practical solutions for sustainable land management and fire risk reduction.
A special emphasis was placed on gender perspectives. During the gender-focused sessions, participants discussed barriers limiting women’s full participation in risk reduction activities. The discussions highlighted the importance of inclusive approaches, stronger enforcement of gender equality laws, and targeted awareness-raising campaigns to enhance women’s participation in decision-making.
Experts engaged in the training included:
- Prof. Iliriana Miftari, climate change expert – presented climate risks, impacts, and damages, global warming trends, international policies, and the positions of the EU and Kosovo in the global context.
- Prof. Muhamet Zogaj, land use expert – discussed the drivers of land use change, challenges, and opportunities in Kosovo, with a focus on forest ecosystems and their vulnerabilities.
- Mr. Tahir Ahmeti, Country Focal Point – presented policies for developing fire-resilient forests, emphasizing the need to avoid traditional monoculture planting, which has proven highly vulnerable to fires. Studies show that most fires have occurred in these monocultures, highlighting the importance of forest diversification and sustainable management for fire prevention and climate adaptation.
- Donjeta Morina, gender equality expert – addressed the role of women in climate adaptation and risk reduction, barriers to participation, and strategies for ensuring inclusive approaches.
During the group work sessions, participants identified challenges and obstacles to achieving the objectives of strategic documents related to forests, agriculture, and climate change.
In the final gender-focused session, participants were divided into two groups to discuss the different roles of women and men in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The groups specifically analyzed women’s contributions to implementing measures that reduce climate impacts and promote sustainable land use practices.