Donor:
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), through the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme
Implementers:
Lead applicant: Rrjeti i Edukatorëve Bashkëmoshatar / Peer Educators Network
www.ngo-pen.com
Co-applicant(s): N/A
Type of Project:
National
Project Duration: 02.12.2024 – 02.12.2025
Total Budget: 33.600,00 CHF
Scope:
Kosovo: Kamenica, Lipjan and Suhareka
Main Beneficiaries:
High school students, youth, educational institutions, households, local communities, youth NGOs, local fire departments, emergency services, local institutions
Overall Goal:
To foster a sense of responsibility and proactive behavior among youth and local communities in fire prevention and management efforts
Expected Results:
– Increased youth awareness and involvement, by educating high school students (aged 15-17 years old, but not limited) from Kamenica, Lipjan, and Suhareka on Landscape Fire Management (LFM), by expecting a significant rise in their understanding and awareness of fire risks and the importance of protecting nature. This newfound knowledge will empower them to take active roles in fire prevention and management within their communities.
– Successful creation and launch of the Landscape Fire Monitoring App, a user-friendly Landscape Fire Monitoring application will provide real-time updates and tracking of landscape fires. This technological tool will be instrumental in enabling both the youth and the broader community to stay informed and respond promptly to fire incidents.
– Improved early Fire Detection and Response. With the implementation of the Landscape Fire Monitoring app and the increased vigilance of trained youth, early detection of fires will improve. This will lead to quicker response times, minimizing damage and enhancing the overall effectiveness of fire management efforts.
– Active community participation. The project will foster a culture of active community involvement in fire management. Through awareness campaigns and training sessions led by informed youth, the entire community will become more engaged in preventing and managing fires, thereby strengthening communal resilience.
– Long-term, sustainable impact on Fire Management. By equipping the youth with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools for effective fire management, the project aims to create a lasting impact. These young leaders along with LFM groups created will continue to advocate for and implement fire prevention and management practices, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts well into the future.
Current Activities:
The project took an exciting and important step forward by bringing the message of Landscape Fire Management (LFM) directly to youth, our future guardians of nature and their communities.
Across Kamenica, Lipjan, and Suhareka, one hundred and fifty-two high school students joined six dynamic lectures that helped them recognize the power they hold in protecting the environment, especially from wild fires. Through interactive sessions, they learned about fire prevention practices, early warning systems, and the real risks posed by uncontrolled fires. But more than knowledge, these moments sparked something bigger, a sense of responsibility and ownership. Students and teachers alike shared how inspired they felt to take these lessons beyond the classroom and into their communities.
NGO PEN delivered six impactful lectures, connecting with a diverse group of motivated high school students, and received highly positive feedback from schools and youth, building local enthusiasm and support.
This had a strong impact: youth gained initial awareness and knowledge on fire prevention and early warning mechanisms; local engagement and interest increased, creating momentum for upcoming workshops and field activities; and strong foundations were laid for building long-term community resilience in Landscape Fire Management.
By equipping youth with knowledge, confidence, and practical tools, we are planting the seeds of a safer tomorrow, where communities stand strong, fires are prevented before they spread, and the environment thrives for generations to come.
