Mountain Connect: Balkan Mountain Forum

Mountain Connect: Balkan Mountain Forum is a six-month regional cooperation initiative implemented by the Albanian Local Capacity Development Foundation (ALCDF) in partnership with CSCD (North Macedonia), Kosovo Development Center (KDC), and the Regional Development Agency (RDA) Montenegro. The project aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation and promote sustainable socio-economic development in the mountain regions of Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro through the establishment of the Balkan Mountain Forum.The project brings together farmers, shepherds, beekeepers, handicraft producers, tourism operators, civil society organizations, and local institutions to exchange knowledge, build capacities, and develop joint solutions for sustainable mountain development. Through stakeholder mapping, thematic capacity-building workshops, documentation of best practices, regional networking events, and the formal establishment of the Balkan Mountain Forum, the project will create a lasting platform for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint action.By promoting sustainable livelihoods, preserving traditional mountain practices, and increasing the visibility of mountain regions and their cultural and natural heritage, the project will contribute to stronger regional cohesion, improved community resilience, and enhanced cooperation among grassroots actors throughout the Western Balkans. The initiative is expected to directly engage over 80 stakeholders and establish a sustainable regional network that will continue to support mountain communities beyond the project's lifetime.Overall Objective:To foster long-term regional cohesion and sustainable development in the mountain regions of the Western Balkans through the establishment of a permanent Balkan Mountain Forum.Specific Objectives·    Establish and operationalize a transboundary Balkan Mountain Forum connecting at least 80 grassroots stakeholders.Promote sustainable socio-economic development and increase the visibility of mountain regions through dissemination of good practices, networking and regional public events.The project applies a participatory and partnership-based approach that combines stakeholder engagement, capacity building, peer learning and regional networking. Activities are jointly implemented by the four partner organizations, each contributing local expertise while ensuring continuous cross-border cooperation.The project emphasizes:community participation;knowledge exchange;documentation of successful local practices;institutional cooperation; andlong-term sustainability through the creation of a permanent regional forum.