From 13 to 15 October 2025, the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme organized a training on “Climate Change and Land Use – Mitigation and Adaptation in the Context of Landscape Fire Management” in Ulcinj, Montenegro.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro, in collaboration with the Regional Executive Agency (REA) – Farmahem from Skopje. The training was held as part of the LFMWB Programme, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and coordinated by REA. It brought together 23 participants from public institutions, academia, and civil society organizations.
The aim of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to integrate climate change considerations into landscape fire management (LFM) planning and decision-making, promoting more adaptive and sustainable management practices.
The sessions were led by national experts:
- Ms. Mirjana Ivanov – Climate change and droughts
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirko Knežević – Land use
- Mr. Ljuban Tmušić – Fire management
- Ms. Kristina Palajsa – Gender equality
Day 1 focused on land degradation and droughts. Prof. Dr. Mirko Knežević discussed various forms and causes of soil degradation, emphasizing the severe erosion issues in Montenegro’s karst and mountainous regions, especially following forest fires. He highlighted the need for better land-use planning and sustainable practices to prevent soil degradation and ensure rational use of space.
Ms. Mirjana Ivanov presented on the topic of droughts and their impact on forest fires, outlining the alarming climate trends in Montenegro, a significant rise in average temperatures, and more frequent heatwaves and droughts. She emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and using indices to assess drought intensity and its connection to wildfire risk.
Day 2 addressed disaster risk reduction, fire management, and gender equality. Mr. Ljuban Tmušić presented Montenegro’s strategies for disaster risk reduction, emphasizing the importance of national and municipal plans, interinstitutional coordination, and regional cooperation through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Ms. Kristina Palajsa discussed gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups in disaster risk reduction, highlighting the relevance of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and national strategies. She stressed that involving women and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes strengthens preparedness, recovery, and overall resilience.
Participants then engaged in group work sessions focused on improving coordination, integrating gender analysis into strategic documents, and enhancing adaptive land and fire management strategies from an inclusivity perspective. The discussions underscored the importance of education, professional training, and public awareness campaigns in overcoming stereotypes and promoting gender balance in LFM and environmental sectors.
The training concluded with remarks from Mr. Srđan Pejović, country focal point for Montenegro, who expressed appreciation for participants’ engagement and highlighted the importance of continued learning, collaboration, and inclusivity in building fire-resilient landscapes and communities across Montenegro.