Funded by the MAVA Foundation, the Buna Delta Protection Project (Albania) aims to ensure the long-term conservation of species and habitats in the Buna River Velipoje Protected Landscape with particular emphasis on halting or significantly reducing unsustainable development and water abstraction. In order to address these threats, site-based measures are planned to be carried out within the frames of Small Grants Program.

The project, also named Living Buna, is coordinated by IUCN ECARO in partnership with PAP/RAC, The Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med), Tour du Valat, and the Institute for Nature Conservation of Albania (INCA). Learn more about the project here.

The Buna river is one of the pilot sites supported by the communication campaign “Off Your Map” on coastal wetlands, coordinated by MedWet and funded by the MAVA Foundation.

Buna Delta, Albania. Photo source: Livingbuna.org

Living Buna project partners are calling upon interested residents of the Buna River Velipoja Protected Landscape to submit their ideas to receive funding for projects that would benefit socio-economic development and ecosystem restoration of the area. The ultimate goal of the call for proposals is to contribute to the long-term conservation of species and habitats in this protected area by supporting concrete on the ground action.

The ideas should be linked to one (or several) of the identified thematic priorities:

1. Coastal habitat restoration (potential activities could include afforestation of degraded and fragmented riverine forest; restoration of sand dune areas or other habitats of importance or; inventory of biodiversity rich and vulnerable coastal areas/habitats);
2. Agro-environmental incentive schemes (which, for example, could focus on environmentally friendly storage containers for manure; habitats’ protection within the agricultural land; improvement of irrigation systems; growing and sustainable harvesting of native medicinal plants; improvement of water quality; or educational activities);
3. Sustainable tourism and infrastructure development (projects could propose the development of thematic eco-friendly walking trails; promotion of the most important habitats and species of the area; development of sustainable eco-tourism offers; waste management improvement; or educational  activities, amongst other); and
4. Sustainable fisheries (potential activities could include the establishment of eco-friendly fish farms; support for sustainable fish breeding facilities; or traditional and eco-friendly fishing activities).

Projects should be a minimum of three and maximum of seven months long, and preferably should involve the local communities, and should aim to conserve the ecological and cultural values of the Buna River Velipoje Protected Landscape while enabling the sustainable use of ecosystem services.

Who can apply?

NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, university and local communities residing within the Buna River-Velipoje Protected Landscape (BRVPL) located in the Shkodra Municipality of northwestern Albania. Organizations based outside of this protected area may only apply in coalition with locals.

When?

The call for proposals is open from 21 August until 23 September 2019 14:30 CET.

How?

Proposals can be submitted electronically to INCA (info@inca-al.org) or in the form of hard copies to RAPA Shkodra.

To facilitate the process and encourage the local community to apply, Living Buna partners will organise a series of meetings in the municipal units Rrethinat, Ana e Malit, Dajç, Velipojë, Bërdicë, Bushat, Balldren i Ri, and Shëngjin in the course of the week starting 26 August. Detailed schedule and meeting locations will be announced as soon as agreed.

IUCN, PAP/RAC, GWP-Med, Tour du Valat and INCA, in collaboration with NAPA and RAPA Shkodra are launching the Small Grants Programme as part of the Living Buna project, financed by the MAVA Foundation.

More details about the grants rules and call for proposals can be found on the website of Living Buna here.