Meet Albora Kacani, NES facilitator in Albania

Albora: I have been working as NES Albania facilitator for the past seven years. In my role, I facilitate the formulation of the NES strategy framework and work plan. My responsibilities include the coordination of activities, organization of the platform meetings, and documenting decisions made by the members. In addition, I support NES Albania through facilitating dialogue and developing strategic partnerships and networks among partners and members from civil society, intergovernmental organizations, government, and public institutions, and international partners.

Albora: NES Albania encourages inclusivity in both the formulation and implementation of forest policy and law. Therefore, our platform brings together a diverse group of actors – government, development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs) and research institutions – in a collaborative manner. We have been particularly successful in promoting the participation of civil society and community-based organisations in the policy debate and law formulation processes. In order to achieve our objectives, we use a range of methods of engagement including face-to-face meetings, online discussions, capacity building sessions for women, and the formation of working groups to prepare briefing papers, inputs into policy processes and research on forest resource management.

Albora: The platform needs to promote a greater sense of ownership over its outcomes, and thereby, strengthen its sustainability. It is important that NES processes continue to include key stakeholders, those who have the knowledge, capacities, and experience to make the goals and objectives happen. In addition to this, a more effective monitoring mechanism needs to be built to ensure that the process is kept on track and the outputs are visible. Ensuring sustainable funding resources it is also crucial for the multistakeholder process to succeed.

Albora: Capacity strengthening and awareness raising of key stakeholders – especially CSOs - to engage effectively in policy and law formulation processes. Specifically, we have developed expertise on the engagement with government for policy influence through our platform.

Albora: How did they manage their platform during Covid-19? What measures did they take to continue their work? What were the main challenges, and how did they overcome them? We are also eager to learn more about identification and access to funding resources.