We are delighted to welcome National Park Sharri as a new member of EUROPARC. This is a particularly special milestone, as Sharri becomes our first member from Kosovo, strengthening our network across Southeast Europe.

With its exceptional biodiversity, strong community ties, and commitment to sustainable development, National Park Sharri is a valuable addition to the EUROPARC network.

Conservation in National Park Sharri: Protecting Unique Mountain Biodiversity

National Park Sharri is a sanctuary for high-altitude biodiversity and iconic species. The Park’s conservation strategy focuses on:

• Protecting and preserving natural habitats and biodiversity
• Supporting traditional lifestyles in surrounding communities
• Providing access for education, research, and recreation
• Ensuring long-term habitat conservation for future generations

Key Conservation Achievements

The Park team has reached several important milestones:

• Discovery of a new plant species: Achillea mushtishti, a stenoendemic species unique to the Sharri region. This brings the total number of endemic species in the park to 22!
• EU-funded Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) Project approval: Supporting climate change mitigation and cross-border tourism development with partners in North Macedonia.
• Membership in the EUROPARC Federation: Strengthening Sharri’s role in European conservation efforts.

These achievements highlight the Park’s growing scientific and environmental importance.

Supporting Traditional Livestock Farming in the Sharr Mountains

The Sharr Mountains are known for their long tradition of transhumance and pastoralism. National Park Sharri actively supports these practices, recognizing their role in maintaining ecological balance.

How the Park Supports Local Farmers

• Ongoing cooperation with livestock farmers and their associations
• Reduced pasture taxes to support traditional grazing
• Maintenance of mountain infrastructure
• Donations to improve living conditions and production

A key cultural product is Sharr cheese, a registered product with geographical origin that reflects the region’s heritage and sustainable practices.

Sustainable Tourism in National Park Sharri

As Sharri grows in popularity for hiking and winter sports, managing visitor impact is essential.

Protecting Wildlife Through “Quiet Zones”

Strict protection areas are located in remote, high-altitude zones where visitor numbers are naturally lower. Additional measures include:

• Informational boards outlining the Park’s rules and biodiversity values
• Continuous monitoring by park rangers and control teams
• Environmental education programmes for visitors and local communities

These actions ensure that tourism development does not compromise wildlife protection.

Cross-Border Cooperation for Nature Protection

Collaboration across borders is a key strength of National Park Sharri. The Park works closely with neighboring Protected Areas in North Macedonia, including Sharr Mountain and Mavrovo.

Joint Initiatives and Future Plans

• Applications for EU-funded cross-border projects
• Exchange of management knowledge and best practices
• Planned joint wildlife monitoring activities
• Development of sustainable tourism across the region

The recently approved IPA project is a major step forward in strengthening this cooperation.

A Warm Welcome to National Park Sharri

We are proud to welcome National Park Sharri to our network and celebrate them as our first member from Kosovo.

Their dedication to biodiversity conservation, support for traditional communities, and commitment to international cooperation make them an inspiring partner. We look forward to working together to promote sustainable tourism and protect natural heritage for future generations.