Ten years ago on 17th February 2008, The Republic of Kosovo was created after indepenence from Serbia was negotiated following the 98/99 Kosovo / Serbia conflict. During the period from 1992 to 1999 the woodlands and trees in Kosovo suffered tremedously as the fight for survival took hold In the oppressive regime.

The Kosovo Tree Council (KTC) was legally formed in 2014 with the aim to increase significantly the urban tree cover in and around populated areas and to increase the woodland cover in sparse farmland regions. Funding in Kosovo for this project has been very limited and at present the organisation, led by Dr Sami Kryeziu, has managed to plant around 250 street trees and given advice to several landowners and companies, as well as working with schools.

To celebrate the 10 years Independence in 2018, the KTC plan to create a website, a tree planting programme to see at least 800 street trees planted, a woodland creation programme in targetted areas around Pristina and Suhareka, to see at least 10 hectares of new woodland creation and to offer advice on woodland management / woodland creation to farmers. With the support from this campaign, the KTC will be able to demonstrate to government bodies that the organisation is serious about the work and worthy of consideration for formal Kosovan funding.

Support for this would be very welcome and help the people of Kosovo regain their lost trees and woodlands.