Training strengthens Kosovan forest sector assessment and monitoring

Blinaja/Lipovica, Kosovo¹ – Strong, sustainable forest governance, underpinned by technical data, digital technologies, and institutional capacity are the necessary foundation to ensure the economic benefits of the forest sector to rural livelihoods and to mitigate climate change impacts. As part of the European Union and Sweden-funded programme to support sustainable and multipurpose forest management, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted a targeted training to enhance the capacities of Kosovan officials for assessing and monitoring the economic aspects of the forestry sector. 

The five-day training, held in Blinaje between 26 and 28 March, and from 7 to 8 April 2025, was attended by the key personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, including the Department of Forestry, Department for Economic Analysis and Statistics, Kosovo Forest Agency, as well as the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, and the National Association of Private Forest Owners.

The training was guided by the FAO study titled “Raising the profile of the forest-based sector in Kosovo – An assessment of the current role and contribution,”  which provided the analytical framework and thematic direction for the training, focusing on the forest sector’s role in Kosovo’s economy and the need for enhanced data and institutional capacities.

Key training topics included identification and elaboration of indicators to estimate the sector’s contribution to the economy, enhancing data collection through collaborative efforts, and the importance of digitalization and harmonized policies for sustainable forest management. 

Delivered in an interactive format, the training presented the methods for fiscal assessment and monitoring of the economic aspects of forestry sector combined with practical exercises and peer discussions, fostering hands-on learning and knowledge exchange among participants. 

“It was inspiring to work with such a motivated group! Over five days, we explored how forests contribute to Kosovo’s economy and why that matters. Through practical exercises and constructive discussions, participants gained valuable tools to strengthen forest governance, improve data systems, and support sustainable development,” said Albora Kacani, FAO forestry expert and training facilitator. 

For participants, the training was a timely and valuable learning opportunity. Violeta Arifi Gashi, Head of the Agriculture Department at the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, noted the importance of sharing the knowledge gained with colleagues in her institution.

“This training was extremely welcome. I acquired a lot of information that will be useful going forward, especially since we currently do not have a dedicated forestry officer. As a head of department, I feel responsible to transmit this knowledge to my team,” stated Arifi Gashi.

Kemal Kadriu, Head of the Policy and Strategy Division at the Department of Forestry emphasized the importance of data-driven planning.

“This training enhanced our professional capacities to better understand the sector’s potential and economic contribution. One of the key takeaways was the importance of research, collection, and analysis of forestry data. Reliable and well-structured data is critical for assessing forest resources, employment potential, income generation, and the overall contribution to Kosovo’s socio-economic development,” stated Kadriu. He added that the training also served as a valuable platform for networking and experience-sharing among institutional representatives and private sector actors.

¹References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).