On 14–15 May 2026, the second partner meeting of the Interreg LASPEH 2.0 project was held in Tirana, Albania, hosted by PPNEA – Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania. The two-day event brought together representatives from all five partner organisations to review project progress, strengthen cooperation, and coordinate the next steps for conservation activities across the South Adriatic region.
The meeting opened with a welcome session by PPNEA, followed by updates from each project partner on the activities carried out so far.
Founded in 1991, PPNEA is the first environmental organisation established in Albania and has played a key role in nature protection and biodiversity preservation in the country for more than three decades. The organisation works on several important conservation initiatives, including the Save Vjosa–Narta campaign, the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, biodiversity protection in the transboundary Prespa area. Within LASPEH 2.0, PPNEA contributes to species monitoring, conservation assessments, stakeholder engagement, and awareness-raising activities through the “Albania is Biodiversity” campaign.
The day concluded with a visit to Tirana’s Natural History Museum, where participants had the opportunity to explore Albania’s rich biodiversity heritage and gain further insight into the ecological value of the region.
On the second day, partners travelled to the Narta Lagoon, one of the project’s key intervention areas and one of the most important wetlands along the Adriatic Flyway. The Vjosa–Narta area is a crucial stopover site for migratory birds travelling between Europe and Africa and hosts more than 200 bird species, including over 70 endangered species. During the field visit, a local ornithologist guided the group through the lagoon’s habitats and birdlife, highlighting both the ecological importance of the area and the environmental pressures it currently faces, including threats linked to the construction of Vlora Airport.
The meeting strengthened the partnership’s shared commitment to protecting Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas across the Programme Area. The project is the result of the cooperation among Puglia Region – Department of Environment, Landscape and Urban Quality (Italy), Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Italy), National Parks of Montenegro (Montenegro), Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania, Municipality of Taranto (Italy).