By Vladimir Stojanovski (Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering)
Recently, MARGISTAR’s Vladimir Stojanovski had the opportunity to participate in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the Bulgarian Academy of Science’s Forest Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria. This STSM was linked to MARGISTAR’s tasks in that it aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable forestry and rural development. As a researcher focused on the socio-economic aspects of forestry in marginalised regions, particularly in North Macedonia and South-West Bulgaria, this mission was a pivotal experience in his academic and professional journey.
The STSM at the Forest Research Institute (BAS) in Sofia, Bulgaria was designed to explore innovative strategies for promoting sustainable forest management and enhancing rural livelihood in marginal regions. My short-term scientific mission involved reviewing existing data, conducting content policy analysis, and evaluating future capability requirements for effective forest management in marginalised regions from South-West Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The STSM’s objectives were to analyse needs, compare institutional frameworks and policies, identify gaps, assess the skills and administrative capacity necessary for sustainable forest management, and to perform a comparative assessment.
Motivations, Expectations, & Research
The STSM was designed to explore innovative strategies for promoting sustainable forest management and enhancing rural livelihood in marginal regions. The mission involved reviewing existing data, conducting content policy analyses, and evaluating future capability requirements for effective forest management in the marginalised region of South-West Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The objectives were to analyse needs, compare institutional frameworks and policies, identify gaps, and assess the skills and administrative capacity necessary for sustainable forest management and to perform a comparative assessment.
Attending the STSM at Forest Research Institute (BAS) in Sofia was driven by my desire to deepen my understanding of sustainable forestry practices and to explore collaborative opportunities for my ongoing PhD research. I gained practical insights and established a valuable connection with Bulgarian researchers and practitioners in the field. The supervision of Prof. Dr. Miglena Zhiyanski was instrumental in providing a comprehensive understanding of current challenges and opportunities, as well as integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices.
The STSM highlighted several critical themes and discussions. One of the main takeaways focused on the multifaceted role of forests in rural development, emphasising how forestry can lead to enhanced food security, poverty alleviation, and improved natural resource management. A further crucial discussion point was the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems, with experts advocating for adaptive management practices to build resilience in forest landscape
The STSM provided significant networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with other researchers and practitioners. One of the most fruitful connections was with colleagues from the Forest Research Institute itself and the Institute of Economic Studies at BAS. Our discussion revealed mutual research interests and we have used this STSM to further structure a collaborative research paper focusing on the socio-economic benefits of forests in marginal regions.
Another potential partnership emerged between non-governmental organisations dedicated to promoting eco-tourism in marginalised regions in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. These include the NGO YMDRAB (Youth Movement for Development of Rural Agriculture in Bulgaria), the Initiative Group for Vitosha, REFORD, and the National Association of Private Forest Owners (NAPFO). This collaboration could open new avenues for exploring how sustainable tourism can complement forestry practices and contribute to rural development.
Learnings from the Forest Research Institute
The insights and connections gained from the STSM hold potential for my research and for broader MARGISTAR goals. The discussions on sustainable forestry, practices are directly relevant to the ongoing efforts to improve forest management policies in North Macedonia and South-West Bulgaria. The emphasis on deforestation and climate resilience will likely shape future research and policy directions in the field, focusing primarily on requirements and harmonisations with the EU Regulation for Deforestation 2023/1115 and integration of forest related practice in IPARD activities.
Looking ahead, I anticipate that the topics discussed during the STSM will continue to evolve, particularly with the growing recognition of the interdependence between sustainable forestry and broader environmental and socio-economic goals. The mission underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. The knowledge and experiences gained during the STSM will be instrumental in my ongoing research and in contributing to the sustainable forest management in marginal regions.
Overall, my participation in the STSM was a rewarding experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a vibrant and impactful initiative. I look forward to applying the insights gained to enhance forestry management practices and promote sustainable development in North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
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