Recommendations for an NbS pilot intervention in Elbasan Municipality, Albania, defined through the NbS Baseline Assessment of the Shkumbini River basin

The Municipality of Elbasan faces various environmental challenges with significant impacts on livelihood, infrastructure and biodiversity.

In order to tackle these challenges, recommendations for an Nature based Solution (NbS) pilot intervention in Elbasan Municipality have been defined based on the NbS Baseline Assignment. The process included consultations with relevant stakeholders, identification of potential sites for implementing pilot NbS measures, and a multidisciplinary assessment.

The Baseline Assessment covered the topics of water management, biodiversity, and socio-economic and gender inclusiveness. Based on collected data and information, the assessment identified the Gurra catchment within the Shkumbini River basin, as the most appropriate location for the implementation of NbS measures.

The Baseline Assessment suggest two types of NbS interventions for the Gurra catchment:

– restoration of the forest landscape, and

– regulation of flow and excessive transport of sediment using check-dams.

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