Regional Landscape Fire Management (LFM) Network in the Western Balkans
The Regional Landscape Fire Management (LFM) Network is a key component of the Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB) Programme, dedicated to strengthening regional cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange in landscape fire management.
The network was officially established following the Initial Regional Workshop held on May 19, 2023, in Porto, Portugal, organized by the Regional Executive Agency (REA-Farmahem) in collaboration with the Regional Fire Monitoring Center (RFMC). This event marked the beginning of a structured and collaborative approach to advancing sustainable landscape fire management (LFM) across the Western Balkans.
The Regional LFM Network brings together the Regional Fire Monitoring Center (RFMC), Country Focal Points (CFP) representing Country Partner Institutions (CPI), and Country Project Staff (CPS) from all participating Western Balkan countries, with expert support from the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC) in Germany. Within the network, the RFMC has a coordinating role and serves as a knowledge hub.
The network’s main objective is to enhance cross-boundary collaboration and support the development of joint regional strategies, policies, and actions for fire prevention, preparedness, and landscape resilience. It promotes ecosystem-based and good governance approaches in LFM, fostering stronger regional partnerships and collective action.
To maintain active collaboration and ensure the continuous exchange of information, the Regional LFM Network convenes twice per year, bringing together its members to review progress, align national efforts with regional priorities, strengthen capacities, and jointly plan future activities.
Through its activities, the Regional LFM Network contributes to building fire-resilient landscapes and promoting a coordinated, region-wide approach to sustainable LFM in the Western Balkans.
Regional and national networks (science-practice-policy interface) (Abbreviations: CPI- Country Partner Institutions, GFMC- Global Fire Monitoring Center, RFMC-Regional Fire Monitoring Center, WB-Western Balkan)