From 1996-2001, SNV provided advisory services to Albania Forestry Project, a jointly funded project between World Bank, Italian and Swiss governments. The advisory input was directed at improved sustainable management of the communal forests and pastures in one of the most poverty-stricken regions of Albania, Diber, through an increased participation of communities and increased capacities of the local actors. As a result, Forest User’s Associations were established in each commune acting as main stakeholders in the transfer and management process.

A study done by World Bank showed that family income increased during the project period by 30%. And the study estimated that about 30-43% of the overall increase was related to the forestry sector. SNV approach has been adopted by the Albanian government and the World Bank and integrated into the CFM program of phase 2 of the Natural Resources Management project (2005-2010).