A Decade of Commitment to Rural Development
On September 3, 2025, the Albanian Network for Rural Development held its General Assembly at Bonum Farm, bringing together its member organizations. As every year, the Assembly served as a moment of reflection on the network’s joint efforts, achievements, and challenges, while also providing space to set future priorities.
The meeting was opened by the Secretary General, Ms. Majlinda Hoxha, who emphasized ANRD’s role as the voice of rural communities and as a driver of inclusive and sustainable rural development in Albania. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sotiraq Hroni, underlined the importance of strengthening trust, increasing visibility, and intensifying public communication with central and local institutions, local communities, and donors.
National Coordinator Ms. Evelina Azizaj presented the 2024 Annual and Financial Report, which was unanimously approved by the Assembly. In her remarks, she described the report as a reflection of the network’s joint efforts, sustainable partnerships, and the trust built with national and international actors. Thanks to the support of donors such as the European Union, UN Women, AICS, and GIZ, ANRD has advanced initiatives focusing on small-scale farmers and producers, women and youth in rural areas, and remote rural communities.
The Assembly also approved the admission of the association “Përtej të Sotmes/Beyond Today” as a new full member, expanding ANRD’s geographic coverage and thematic expertise.
The year 2025 also marks ANRD’s 10th anniversary – a decade of efforts, achievements, and lessons learned. In this context, the Assembly set the following priorities including strengthening the implementation of the LEADER approach as the European instrument for integrated rural development; advancing the socio-economic empowerment of rural women, including the organization of the 7th edition of Pro Rural Women; preparing the 4th Albanian Rural Parliament (March 2026); consolidating the Rural Youth Hub; supporting local organizations in implementing initiatives under the Farm to Fork Academy Fund; and strengthening ANRD’s role in legal and strategic initiatives related to the agricultural and rural sector.
Discussions also focused on the 4th Albanian Rural Parliament, envisioned as a national co-governance platform that will bring together diverse voices and representatives at all levels to shape the future of rural and agricultural development in Albania.
The Assembly concluded in a positive and optimistic atmosphere, with strong confidence that ANRD’s role, impact, and credibility will continue to grow in service of rural communities and the national rural development agenda, in line with the EU’s community-led local development policies.
To read ANRD’s annual and financial reports, click here.
