Building Capacity for a Resilient Future
Capacity building is a cornerstone of the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme. By strengthening the skills and knowledge of key stakeholders at national and regional levels, the Programme supports the development of functional and lasting national LFM networks and enhances collaboration across the region.
The LFMWB capacity-building approach targets multiple levels, including national and regional LFM stakeholders, local communities, and Programme partners. Through tailored trainings and skill development, participants gain knowledge and tools necessary for effective LFM, climate change and land-use management in the context of landscape fires, communication, networking, project cycle management, leadership, and administration.
Through community-based projects implemented across the Western Balkans, over 600 youth and 450 adults have received direct training, contributing to stronger local capacities, engagement, and awareness in landscape fire management.
By empowering these actors, the LFMWB Programme fosters resilience against current and future landscape fire threats, strengthens regional and national cooperation, and ensures that both landscapes and communities are prepared to respond to evolving challenges.
Training on Climate Change and Land Use in the Context of Landscape Fire Management
As part of its national capacity-building efforts, the Programme organized a series of trainings on Climate Change and Land Use in the Context of Landscape Fire Management across the Western Balkans, engaging around 140 national-level stakeholders from public institutions, academia, and civil society. These trainings aimed to strengthen understanding of the links between climate change, land-use practices, and landscape fire management, and to equip stakeholders with tools and strategies for effective mitigation and adaptation.
Sessions covered topics such as climate risks and drought impacts, land degradation and sustainable land-use planning, fire management strategies, and gender equality in environmental decision-making. Emphasis was placed on integrating climate considerations into planning and policy, promoting inclusive approaches, and fostering collaboration among National LFM Networks and other stakeholders.
Interactive exercises and group discussions helped consolidate knowledge, develop practical solutions, and explore the integration of gender perspectives into climate and fire management strategies. These trainings reinforced the LFMWB Programme’s commitment to building resilient landscapes and empowering stakeholders to respond to current and future challenges in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
Moreover, LFM stakeholders were trained on various LFM topics within the framework of the National LFM Networks, strengthening their knowledge, coordination, and capacity for effective action.
Strengthening the Capacities of Programme Partners
Capacity building for Programme partners is an essential pillar of the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme. Tailored trainings and exchanges have enhanced the knowledge and skills of Country Project Staff (CPS), Country Focal Points (CFP), the Regional Fire Monitoring Center (RFMC), and other institutional partners, enabling them to contribute effectively to the development of national and regional LFM networks.
Following a needs assessment, targeted trainings were delivered on communication, networking, leadership, finance and administration, project cycle management, and participatory training methods. These efforts strengthened the Programme partner’s capacities and improved network coordination and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Programme partners participated in a series of workshops, including the Networking and Communication Training (Belgrade, June 2023), the Capacity Building Workshops on LFM (in North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina), Training for trainers (Skopje, North Macedonia, 2023), and the Project Cycle Management Workshop (Skopje, December 2024). Exposure visits, such as the Pelister National Park educational visit (North Macedonia, 2023) and the Knowledge Exchange with Switzerland (May 2025), provided valuable insights into practical and international approaches to LFM.
Additionally, Programme representatives attended the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference in Portugal, connecting with global experts and being introduced to the the Landscape Fire Governance Framework. These learning opportunities have deepened partners’ understanding of fire prevention, integrated fire management, and regional cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable and resilient landscape fire management in the Western Balkans.
By equipping the CPS, CFP, RFMC staff, and LFM stakeholders with this diverse skill set, the LFMWB Programme ensures that all actors are well-prepared to contribute to establishing functional and sustainable regional and national LFM networks, engage effectively with stakeholders and communities, and facilitate meaningful change on the ground. The capacity-building efforts at all levels aim not only to address current challenges but also to foster long-term resilience against future landscape fire threats.
In the face of evolving LFM dynamics, the LFMWB Programme remains committed to building the skills and knowledge necessary for fire prevention and a resilient, fire-ready future in the Western Balkans.
