Balkans Peace Park Summer Balkans Peace Park Summer Program 2008Program 2008

June 16 to August 9, 2008June 16 to August 9, 2008Rugova, Kosova. Thethi, Albania. Plav, Montenegro.Rugova, Kosova. Thethi, Albania. Plav, Montenegro.

Trail Maintenance and Infrastructure Projects in the Balkans Peace ParkTrail Maintenance and Infrastructure Projects in the Balkans Peace ParkFunded by a Grant from the German Embassy to KosovaFunded by a Grant from the German Embassy to Kosova

Ambassador Hans-Dieter SteinbachAmbassador Hans-Dieter Steinbach

October 31, 2008October 31, 2008

Compiled by J. Todd WaltersCompiled by J. Todd Walters

Development ProjectsDevelopment Projects Rugova Waterfall Trail (Kosova) – E.R.ARugova Waterfall Trail (Kosova) – E.R.A

Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric)Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric)

Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall)Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall)

Trash Bin Installation Trash Bin Installation

GPS Trail MappingGPS Trail Mapping

Trail Maintenance and Infrastructure Development Trail Maintenance and Infrastructure Development Strategic PlanStrategic Plan

Coordinated Weekend Meetings to focus on Coordinated Weekend Meetings to focus on Development IssuesDevelopment Issues

Weekend MeetingsWeekend Meetings Waste Management - Robert Mangham of OSCEWaste Management - Robert Mangham of OSCE

National Park Management - Alan Hulme and Paul Sheehan National Park Management - Alan Hulme and Paul Sheehan of YDNPof YDNP

What Tourists Want - Richard Heargreaves of BPP What Tourists Want - Richard Heargreaves of BPP CommitteeCommittee

Citizen’s Role in Democratic Society - Eralda Nikshiki of Citizen’s Role in Democratic Society - Eralda Nikshiki of World VisionWorld Vision

Writing a Letter to the Government - Eralda Nikshiki of World Writing a Letter to the Government - Eralda Nikshiki of World VisionVision

Eco-Tourism – Arian Djura – BPP FacilitatorEco-Tourism – Arian Djura – BPP Facilitator

Marketing Thethi – Arian Djura – BPP FacilitatorMarketing Thethi – Arian Djura – BPP Facilitator

Meetings with Current PartnersMeetings with Current Partners E.R.A. – Peja, Kosova – Fatos Leicaj and Ellen E.R.A. – Peja, Kosova – Fatos Leicaj and Ellen

FrankFrank

H.R.I.D – Plav, Montenegro – Enko Drescovic, H.R.I.D – Plav, Montenegro – Enko Drescovic, Mirza Koby and Mensur MarkovicMirza Koby and Mensur Markovic

SVP – Shala Valley Project – Mike Gallate and SVP – Shala Valley Project – Mike Gallate and Zemir TerfilaZemir Terfila

Environmental Centre Valbona – Aferdita Prroni Environmental Centre Valbona – Aferdita Prroni and Sokol Bushgjokajand Sokol Bushgjokaj

55

Development ProjectsDevelopment Projects

Allow the BPP Summer Program to fulfill multiple aspects of the Allow the BPP Summer Program to fulfill multiple aspects of the higher level BPP vision.higher level BPP vision.

– Sustainable rural developmentSustainable rural development– Programs identified, and work completed, by local peoplePrograms identified, and work completed, by local people– Benefit both the local people and infrastructure for sustainable tourismBenefit both the local people and infrastructure for sustainable tourism

Broadens the impact of the BPP Summer Program beyond just the Broadens the impact of the BPP Summer Program beyond just the children and the school - (English and Environmental Education children and the school - (English and Environmental Education courses) - to the entire villagecourses) - to the entire village

Brings additional economic stimulus into the B3P region – all Brings additional economic stimulus into the B3P region – all projects involve locals from Kosova, Albania or Montenegro.projects involve locals from Kosova, Albania or Montenegro.

Provides the basis for identifying future trail maintenance and Provides the basis for identifying future trail maintenance and infrastructure projectsinfrastructure projects

66

Development ProjectsDevelopment ProjectsE.R.A. PartnershipE.R.A. Partnership

Rugova Valley Waterfall Trail DevelopmentRugova Valley Waterfall Trail Development Year 2 of a 3 year plan to develop an Environmental Education TrailYear 2 of a 3 year plan to develop an Environmental Education Trail

Will benefit local school children, and the people of Rugova ValleyWill benefit local school children, and the people of Rugova Valley

Will attract tourists from other parts of the B3P region as well as Will attract tourists from other parts of the B3P region as well as international tourists to the Rugova Region of Kosovainternational tourists to the Rugova Region of Kosova

Project is ERA designed and implemented, taking advantage of local Project is ERA designed and implemented, taking advantage of local Kosovar volunteers and skilled craftsmenKosovar volunteers and skilled craftsmen

ERA will also seek GPS trail data, and identify future trail maintenance and ERA will also seek GPS trail data, and identify future trail maintenance and infrastructure projectsinfrastructure projects

Funds Transferred – July 14, 2008. Funds Transferred – July 14, 2008. Summary Report forthcomingSummary Report forthcoming

Cost – 3,000 EUROSCost – 3,000 EUROS

77

E.R.A. Partnership - Rugova Valley Waterfall TrailE.R.A. Partnership - Rugova Valley Waterfall Trail

88

E.R.A. Partnership - Rugova Valley Waterfall TrailE.R.A. Partnership - Rugova Valley Waterfall Trail

99

Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric)Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric) Used by shepards, livestock, access to corn mill,

access to hydrocentral – in Thethi, Albania

Constructed by Thethians – Lek Gerla; Ndue Gurra; Tonin Rxanxa; Gjon Gjecaj;

Made of white pine (estimated 8-12 years for life of bridge)

Built July 22-28, 2008

Cost – 1,080 EUROS

1010

Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric)Bridge Gjecaj (Hydroelectric)

Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall)Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall) Used by tourists and Thethians to access Cataract Used by tourists and Thethians to access Cataract

Thethi and Grunas Archeological SiteThethi and Grunas Archeological Site

Constructed by Thethians – Lek Gerla; Ndue Gurra; Constructed by Thethians – Lek Gerla; Ndue Gurra; Tonin Rxanxa; Gjin Gjoni Tonin Rxanxa; Gjin Gjoni

Made of red pine (estimated 40-50 years for life of Made of red pine (estimated 40-50 years for life of bridge)bridge)

Built August 3-7, 2008Built August 3-7, 2008

Cost – 1,850 EUROSCost – 1,850 EUROS

1212

Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall)Bridge Gerla (Grunas, Waterfall)

Trash Bin Installation & Clean-upsTrash Bin Installation & Clean-ups Used by tourists and Thethians Used by tourists and Thethians Constructed by Thethians – Ndue and Tom Constructed by Thethians – Ndue and Tom

Shyti Shyti 4 Units with TWO - 200L barrels installed by 4 Units with TWO - 200L barrels installed by

the church, school, road bridge and upper the church, school, road bridge and upper parts of road parts of road

Installed August 5, 2008Installed August 5, 2008 3 Trash Clean Ups conducted by B3P 3 Trash Clean Ups conducted by B3P

students and volunteer teachers – June 27, students and volunteer teachers – June 27, July 16 and August 8July 16 and August 8

Cost – 500 EUROSCost – 500 EUROS

1414

Trash Bin Installation & Clean-upsTrash Bin Installation & Clean-ups

GPS Trail MappingGPS Trail Mapping Used to identify trails and routes within the Balkans Peace Used to identify trails and routes within the Balkans Peace

Park to further promote trekking, and cross border alpinist Park to further promote trekking, and cross border alpinist activitiesactivities

Data gathered by Project Director, Todd Walters and Data gathered by Project Director, Todd Walters and rendered in GIS by local Albanian expert, Mark Rupa rendered in GIS by local Albanian expert, Mark Rupa

Future data to also be provided by local partners ERA Future data to also be provided by local partners ERA (Kosovo) and HRID (Montenegro) (Kosovo) and HRID (Montenegro)

Completed September 15, 2008Completed September 15, 2008

Cost – 2,500 EUROSCost – 2,500 EUROS

1616

GPS Trail MappingGPS Trail Mapping

1717

Trail Maintenance Trail Maintenance and and

Infrastructure Development Infrastructure Development Strategic PlanStrategic Plan

Identify areas of current and future trail maintenance and Identify areas of current and future trail maintenance and infrastructure projectsinfrastructure projects

Develop a strategic plan for completing those projectsDevelop a strategic plan for completing those projects

Develop a year round trail maintenance planDevelop a year round trail maintenance plan

Reports to be compiled and written by Todd Walters and Reports to be compiled and written by Todd Walters and Mark Rupa Mark Rupa

To Be Completed October 31, 2008To Be Completed October 31, 2008

Cost – 2,250 EUROSCost – 2,250 EUROS

1818

Weekend MeetingsWeekend Meetings

1919

Weekend MeetingsWeekend Meetings

2020

Weekend MeetingsWeekend MeetingsOutcomes

• Understanding of Issues affecting the villagers of Thethi, and how the villagers prioritize those issues in terms of importance

• Unique window on the differences between men and women in Thethi

• Understanding the grievances that the villagers of Thethi hold towards their own government and the international organizations who have worked in Thethi

• Practical skill training – capacity building

• Actionable lessons – letter to Agency that manages Electricity

Meetings with Current PartnersMeetings with Current Partners

E.R.A. – Peja, Kosovo E.R.A. – Peja, Kosovo – Fatos Leicaj and Ellen FrankFatos Leicaj and Ellen Frank

2009 Programs2009 Programs Waterfall Trail - continued development and Waterfall Trail - continued development and

constructionconstruction Youth Environmental Education Mountain Youth Environmental Education Mountain

TreksTreks EU Youth Leadership Training EU Youth Leadership Training Ethnography project – Myths in the Accursed Ethnography project – Myths in the Accursed

MountainsMountains

Meetings with Current PartnersMeetings with Current PartnersH.R.I.D – Plav, Montenegro H.R.I.D – Plav, Montenegro 2009 Programs2009 Programs

March 15, 2009 Trek of Mt Jezerca with alpinists from March 15, 2009 Trek of Mt Jezerca with alpinists from Kosovo (Djurovica Mt Club), from Albania (Albanian Kosovo (Djurovica Mt Club), from Albania (Albanian Alpinist Federation)Alpinist Federation)

Eco-Village – Volunteer work crew (international, and Eco-Village – Volunteer work crew (international, and Albanian and Kosovar participants – April/May 2009)Albanian and Kosovar participants – April/May 2009)– Finish constructionFinish construction– GPS Trail mappingGPS Trail mapping

July 2009 – 3 border crossing trekJuly 2009 – 3 border crossing trek

2323

Meetings with Current PartnersMeetings with Current Partners

July 2009 – 3 border crossing trek July 2009 – 3 border crossing trek Use as a reason to have all 3 Alpinist Association Use as a reason to have all 3 Alpinist Association

Presidents combine efforts to petition the Presidents combine efforts to petition the governments of all 3 countries governments of all 3 countries

Create a standardized form and procedure for Create a standardized form and procedure for alpinists to apply for permission to cross the borders alpinists to apply for permission to cross the borders in the remote alpine regionsin the remote alpine regions

Start in Kosovo, cross into Albania, cross into Start in Kosovo, cross into Albania, cross into Montenegro, - end at completed HRID EcoVillage Montenegro, - end at completed HRID EcoVillage with a huge publicity event and celebrationwith a huge publicity event and celebration

Contact MeContact Me

J. Todd WaltersJ. Todd Walters

Director B3P Summer ProgrammeDirector B3P Summer Programme

Balkans Peace Park ProjectBalkans Peace Park Project

www.balkanspeacepark.orgwww.balkanspeacepark.org

twallysas@hotmail.comtwallysas@hotmail.com

(978) 270-9356(978) 270-9356