The Albanian Network for Rural Development (ANRD) launched the implementation of the sub-granting scheme under the From Farm to Fork Academy Fund, as part of the regional project Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans-Our shared European future, financed by the European Union (EU). This marks a significant moment in strengthening the role and capacities of civil society in the EU integration and acceleration process, fostering transformation of the agriculture and rural development sector in line with the EU Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
The contract signing ceremony was organized with the participation of four grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and four Local Action Groups (LAGs), alongside representatives from the EU Delegation to Albania and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The selected organizations will implement small-scale projects, up to €5,000. These projects will focus on three key areas: sustainable agriculture and rural development, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The Farm to Fork Academy Fund stands out from previous funding schemes available to the civil society sector by specifically targeting organizations that have had limited access to funding opportunities. For the first time, the fund also offers direct financial support to LAGs, which have demonstrated their ability to create a significant impact on integrated local development in EU countries.
The funded projects focus on providing innovative, sustainable and inclusive solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by local communities, including the following initiatives:
| Local Action Groups | Civil Society Organisations |
| LAG Vjona Olive of Vlora – Quality from Tradition and Technology |
SEEP Ecological beekeping-Turning to the nature |
| LAG Mokër-Gorë Sustainable soultions thorugh the Farm to Fork Academy |
Agro Puka Climate change mitigation and adaption |
| LAG Kolonja e Gjelbër Adding value for fruits and vegetables by proffesional drying equipment. |
For Gender Integration Association Menthol scent in our tables |
|
LAG Pro Përmet |
BRASH |
Following the signing of the contracts, ANRD organized the first orientation workshop for the beneficiary organizations. During this workshop, participants were introduced to the project’s programmatic content, financial aspects, reporting procedures, and communication and visibility requirements. This event marked the beginning of a new phase of project implementation on the ground. For some LAGs, this was their first direct experience working with the community, while CSOs continued to build upon their previous efforts, further expanding their impact on the sustainable development of rural areas.
This intervention aims to foster a more enabling environment for CSOs, CSO networks, and other rural stakeholders, empowering them to proactively contribute to addressing social challenges related to climate change and biodiversity loss.
*** The regional project ‘Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans Our shared European future’ is financed by European Future and jointly implemented by the family of National Rural Development Networks in the six Western Balkan countries and Croatia and their regional cooperation platform Balkan Network for Rural Development.
