Partnering for Nature: Advancing Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism in Shebenik National Park
Shebenik National Park is one of Albania’s most treasured natural landscapes, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and rich biodiversity. With over 1,460 species of flora and rare fauna such as the Balkan lynx, brown bear, wild goat, roe deer, wild boar, and hazel dormouse, this park remains largely undiscovered, yet holds remarkable potential for sustainable tourism development.
To help protect and promote this natural heritage, two panoramic viewing platforms have recently been constructed at the summit of Qafë Shapkë, at an elevation of 1,442 metres above sea level. This initiative was carried out by World Vision Albania, in collaboration with the Regional Agency for Protected Areas in Elbasan (RAPA), and supported financially by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), as part of the project “Community response/ownership development for biodiversity preservation in Korab -Koritnik Nature Park and Shebenik National Park".
Through close collaboration between local communities and the Regional Agency for Protected Areas in Elbasan , a sustainable model is being created, demonstrated by the construction of these panoramic viewing platforms, which promote eco-tourism while helping preserve the park’s extraordinary natural heritage.
These platforms offer visitors spectacular views of the park and are expected to serve not only as attractions for both domestic and international tourists, but also as strategic observation points for monitoring and preventing wildfires.
“These structures are a clear example of how the promotion of sustainable tourism can go hand in hand with the protection of biodiversity,” - Mirjam de Koning, Executive Director of PONT.
Today, during a joint visit to Qafë Shapkë, where the mountains seem to reach the sky, representatives from partner organisations, RAPA Elbasan, young people, and nature enthusiasts witnessed first-hand the impact of this investment.
“Through this project, we are empowering both communities and institutions to safeguard nature and biodiversity, while also creating new development opportunities for young people and local residents through sustainable tourism,” - Eljona Elmazi, Executive Director of World Vision Albania.
In addition to the viewing platforms, a 920-metre trail has been marked and cleared, connecting the park’s two main scenic viewpoints. This trail provides a rich journey through nature and history. Along the way, visitors can explore Cold War-era bunkers and tunnels, adding a unique historical layer to their experience.
“These platforms guide visitors safely through the park while serving as essential lookout points for detecting illegal activities and monitoring emergency situations such as wildfires,” - Fatmir Brezhda, Head of Regional Agency for Protected Areas in Elbasan (RAPA).
In addition to infrastructure development, the initiative has fostered a successful model of local partnership between RAPA, World Vision Albania, local businesses, and community members, designed to generate sustainable income within Shebenik National Park through biodiversity, and ecosystem-friendly initiatives.
This close cooperation with the Regional Agency for Protected Areas has ensured that all interventions are tailored to the real needs of the park and contribute meaningfully to its long-term, sustainable management. Moreover, the project has laid the foundation for a strong local collaboration model, which brings together environmental institutions, civil society, the private sector, and communities to support both conservation and economic development.
Shebenik National Park offers not only extraordinary natural and ecological value but also deep cultural and traditional significance, making it an ideal setting for long-term, responsible tourism. Here, every tree seems to tell a story, every leaf carries a whisper, and each step draws you closer to nature’s soul.
These two new viewing platforms are more than just wooden structures on a hillside; they are an invitation to look beyond, to reconnect with nature, to protect biodiversity, and to pursue a form of development that preserves rather than harms the environment.
The project “Community response/ownership development for biodiversity preservation in Korab -Koritnik Nature Park and Shebenik National Park" is funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT) and implemented by World Vision Albania, in partnership with Agritra-Vizion in Dibër and the organisation “Përtej të Sotmes” in Librazhd.
By Alfons Cupaj, PR and Communications – World Vision Albania
