Paper short abstract:

One of the greatest changes in cross-border Balkans Peace Park is the status of the actual regions: three years ago only Albania was an independent country, Montenegro and Kosovo were still a part of Yugoslavia. A report on the tremendous progress made on the project.

Paper long abstract:

As a contributor, five years ago, to the book, Ethnography of Protected Areas, this report follows the tremendous progress made in the interim on the cross-border Balkans Peace Park Project (BPPP) on the single mountain range, known as The Forbidden (or Accursed) Mountains which straddle the borders of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Probably one of the greatest changes in these years is the status of the actual regions, such that we are now working with three sovereign countries, whereas only three years ago only Albania was an independent country, Montenegro and Kosovo were still a part of Yugoslavia.

BPPP works with people and authorities at all levels, individuals in the region, NGOs, INGOs, municipalities, national governments and foreign government donors. The most recent development was the successful hosting by the Shkodra Qark (regional body for northern Albania) of representatives from all the above mentioned stakeholders.