On 20 November 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Montenegro, as the Country Partner Institution of the SDC’s Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans Programme (LFMWB), organized the ninth national workshop of the National LFM Network. Held in Podgorica, the workshop brought together around 20 stakeholders to review and validate the National Strategy for Adaptive Landscape Management and LFM, alongside the Action Plan and monitoring framework.
The workshop was moderated by Mr. Srđan Šašić, Country Project Staff of the LFMWB Programme, and opened with a welcoming speech from Mr. Vlado Šćepanović, Director of the Directorate for Forestry, Hunting, and Wood Industry. Mr. Šćepanović emphasized the importance of the National Strategy as a key tool for building resilience to fires, highlighting its role in protecting natural landscapes, rural communities, and ecosystems through effective preventive measures, integrated policies, and strengthened institutional and collaborative capacities.
Mr. Cvetan Nikolovski, Team Leader of the LFMWB Programme, welcomed participants and reinforced the Programme’s focus on enhancing cooperation, capacities, and policies at both national and regional levels. He underscored the holistic approach of LFM, which encompasses not only forests but also agricultural lands, pastures, and peri-urban areas, with a strong emphasis on prevention alongside efficient fire suppression.
The workshop featured a detailed presentation of the Strategy by Mr. Šašić, which was followed by structured discussions. Participants reviewed the Action Plan, monitoring framework, and activity indicators, exchanging insights and suggestions to strengthen implementation. By the conclusion of the workshop, members of Montenegro’s National LFM Network unanimously validated the National Strategy, marking a significant step toward more resilient landscapes and communities across the country.