In 2024, IBCM, through its research and development arm QTDI (Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Centre), joined a regional effort to address the growing threat of wildfires. The initiative, known as Landscape Fire Management in the Western Balkans (LFMWB), is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and aims to strengthen the region’s ability to manage and prevent wildfires. Wildfires have become a growing concern across the Western Balkans due to climate change, land degradation, and inadequate land management practices. Forests and open landscapes are not only vital ecosystems but also critical to the livelihoods of local populations who depend on them for agriculture, tourism, and other economic activities.
The project is coordinated by Farmahem, based in Skopje, North Macedonia, and supported by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation.
The first phase of implementation is scheduled to begin in February 2025.
QTDI’s involvement will focus on community engagement, training, and support for sustainable environmental practices. The project will also emphasise gender inclusion by ensuring that both men and women are part of the planning and decision-making processes. Additionally, QTDI will contribute to the development of local strategies for the municipalities of Kamenica and Partes that promote prevention, preparedness, and long-term wildfire resilience. By combining local knowledge with technology (drones) and GIS maps for the municipalities mentioned above, the LFMWB project implemented by QTDI aims to build stronger, safer communities while protecting the natural environment of Kosovo and the Western Balkans.
