This article marks the latest in our series profiling CIC NGO Members. These organisations play a vital role in advancing sustainable use, promoting conservation, and ensuring that wildlife continues to thrive in the landscapes where people live, work, and hunt.
Overview
Founded in 1950, with roots in the first hunting associations formed in 1912, the Federation of Hunters of Albania (Federata Kombëtare Shqiptare për Gjueti dhe Konservim) is the national umbrella body representing Albanian hunters and conservationists.
It brings together 47 associations and over 17,000 members across the country, uniting efforts to integrate traditional hunting culture with modern conservation principles. The Federation focuses on restoring wildlife populations, protecting natural habitats, and ensuring that hunting is managed through science-based and sustainable practices.
Albania, home to around 2.8 million people, occupies a unique position in the Balkans, bordered by Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece, with a 362-kilometre Adriatic and Ionian coastline. Over 70% of its territory is mountainous, containing diverse ecosystems from alpine pastures to coastal wetlands. The country’s flora comprises more than 3,000 plant species, while its fauna includes over 300 bird species, such as the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), which breeds in the wetlands of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park.
Partnership with the CIC
The Federation of Hunters of Albania became a member of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in 2008, following an invitation to collaborate within the organisation’s global network of state and NGO members.
Through this partnership, the Federation contributes to the CIC’s international mission of advancing biodiversity conservation through sustainable use. CIC engagement has helped strengthen Albania’s capacity in wildlife management, promote applied research, and support dialogue between hunters, policymakers, and conservation organisations.
As part of its international networking format, the CIC officially recognises the Federation of Hunters of Albania as the only and exclusive partner organisation representing Albanian hunters within the CIC. This exclusive recognition ensures coherent representation of Albanian hunting interests at the international level and reinforces the Federation’s vital role as the bridge between national stakeholders and the global conservation community.
This collaboration ensures that Albania’s approach to hunting aligns with the CIC 2030 Strategic Plan and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), focusing on evidence-based policy, biodiversity restoration, and the empowerment of local communities.
The Federation has also been a member of FACE (Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU) since 2004, giving Albanian hunters representation within the European policy framework and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
Recent Highlights
In 2024, the Government of Albania announced the reopening of hunting after nearly a decade-long national moratorium. The CIC and FACE welcomed this decision, highlighting that it restores science-based wildlife management and strengthens community engagement in conservation.
The CIC worked closely with national stakeholders to ensure that the revised framework for hunting follows international best practices, balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable rural livelihoods.
In addition to national reforms, the Federation signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Federation of Hunters of Kosovo in June 2025, reinforcing collaboration on training, data exchange, and wildlife monitoring. It also works closely with the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) on large mammal conservation and coexistence projects, including workshops on habitat restoration and predator management.
Looking Ahead
As Albania reintroduces hunting within a modern and scientifically grounded framework, the Federation of Hunters of Albania continues to play a central role in guiding this transition. In partnership with the CIC, it aims to expand wildlife monitoring, support education and outreach, and promote conservation policies that reflect Albania’s ecological and cultural heritage.
Together, the CIC and the Federation are building a future where wildlife, people, and traditional values coexist in balance, providing a model of sustainable use in South-Eastern Europe.
Media Contact
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
