THE PRIORITIES AND ASPIRATIONS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE FOCUS OF PRO RURAL WOMEN II

More than 50 women and girls from rural communities of the country gathered in the second edition of ‘Pro Rural Women’, organized by the Albanian Network for Rural Development (ANRD) and the municipality of Roskovec on the occasion of International Day of Rural Women. ‘Pro Rural Women’, attended by women and girls from all over Albania (Puka, Zadrima, Shkodra, Mirdita, Korça, Berati, Fieri, Tirana, etc.) traveled to the Municipality of Roskovec rated as ” Pro Rural Women Municipality of the year”. This edition, on the approach to become an annual tradition, aims for the second year in a row not only to celebrate and give prominence to women living and working in rural areas of Albania, but above all to advocate the full recognition and activation of their extraordinary creative and productive potential, as well as their undeniable role as change agents for their families and communities. (UN Women 2020) [Read here about the event]

DECLARATION: FAIR TREATMENT FOR FULFILLING ALBANIAN RURAL WOMEN’S ASPIRATIONS

We, fifty participants, mainly women and girls rooted in rural areas of Albania, gathered here at Roskovec on 15 October 2020 under the patronage of the Mayor of Roskovec and the National Coordinator of the Albanian Network for Rural Development, supported by its member organizations. We would like to express our gratitude to the municipality of Roskovec and its staff for hosting and organizing the PRO RURAL WOMEN II event on the occasion of the International Rural Women’s Day. We gathered and assessed needs and challenges we are facing and consulted on finding practical solutions as well as discussed on how public policies and instruments could provide effective support and assistance.[OUR DECLARATION]
THE VISIONARY RURAL WOMAN SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A GOOD MOTHER, A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR AND AN ACTIVE WOMAN IN THE COMMUNITY.

GREEN CARAVAN || NAGE

The Albanian Network for Rural Development (ANRD) in the framework of the Project “Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy” – NAGE organized on October 15, 2020 in Roskovec the activity “Green Entrepreneurship Caravan II” which coincided with the International Day of Rural Women. The Green Caravan and the celebration of International Rural Women’s Day merged into the “Pro Rural Women II” event, an annual activity of ANRD that this year focused on empowering rural women through green enterprise. [Check the post]

GREEN CODE | FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELFARE

The organization “For Social and Environmental Welfare” supported by the EDEN Center implemented during the pandemic time the 1-year project “Green Code”. This project offered new models and innovative techniques on a new culture of urban waste management with the motto “For Berat as a UNESCO World Heritage Site” promoting sustainable economic development and the “green economy” in Berat businesses operating in the field of family tourism. [Check the post]

SLOW FOOD YOUTH NETWORK of Malësi e Madhe: Volunteering Week

After 4 days of social engagement, entertainment and socialization in the North of Albania, the second edition of the Volunteer Week, funded by the European Union in Albania through the project "FoRuM", this year the Volunteer Week can be considered a success: About 30 young people from Malësia e Madhe participated with enthusiasm and passion for activities, cleaning, painting and animal care by exploring new territories in Vlora / Llogara with the host group. [Check the post]

"PUKA - GUIDE" || NAGE

This website was created and maintained within the project "Fostering and promoting the rural circular economy in Puka", with the objective of fostering the circular economy in rural enterprises in Puka and promoting them to create sustainable and environmentally friendly economy, implemented from the Institute for Environmental Policy. This project is funded through the Consolidation of Regional Thematic Networks of Civil Society Organizations, within the project NAGE * Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy), funded by the European Union. [Link to the website]

Upcoming Activities

Be part of different activities at national and regional level dedicated to rural development. In this section, YOU will be introduced to various options. You are welcome to participate, contribute and exhibit your skills and knowledge in these activities.

CONSULTATION:
Long term VISION for rural areas
up to 27 November 2020

Taken from PREPARE: The EU aims to start a debate on the future of rural areas and the role they have to play in our society. ELARD have published survey results on the future for rural areas. The EU aims to start a debate on the future of rural areas and the role they have to play in our society. This initiative will set out a vision for the future of rural areas by 2040 and gather wide viewpoints.
[This consultation is open for feedback until 27 November 2020]

WEBINAR
Rural trends and Solutions
27 November 2020

Where is rural going? Is urbanisation turning into ruralisation? The webinar tries to look into trends, the cost of these trends and the readiness of change management in politics and decisionmaking. Digital and technolocical transition are key factors for the future of Rural Europe – possibilities, obstacles and equal availability are discussed. – Future of Rural Europe - Rural development NGOs, local actors/citizens decisionmakers. [Check the news]

WEBINAR V
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 2020
November 2020

The Development Policy Foundation in Poland organized a series of very interesting Webinars on the rural agenda, in partnership with the ANRD Network. Topics include: Support mechanisms (grants); Structure models; Bio-certification; branding; Technology and Innovation; Food Safety; Networking. The 5th and last webinar of this project will take place in November, where 2 rural enterprises of Albanian youth will be promoted.
[Watch the previous webinar]

PIER PAOLO AMBROSI - Pioneer of the Albanian Rural Development

Pier Paolo Ambrosi, born in Italy (Casaleone-VR) on 08.08.1948, is what can be defined as one of a kind. Since young devoted to the solidarity and equal development of the different population in the world, he studied Franc Language at the University of Verona and right after his degree he started his long and fruitful career in the development world. He worked in different African countries and his passion for the filed work with missionaries and rural communities has been always shared by his wife and his family, supporting him in every challenge and adventure undertaken. Not to be surprised, his first son was born in Senegal, while his fourth and last son, during his long Albanian experience. Pier Paolo Arrived in Albania in 1991 as 1 st study mission from Caritas Italiana. An experience that should have finished in 3 months, but that continues still now, after 29 years, full of love, interest and respect for this special country. He has been the first to start a community “furre buke” in the Region of Shkoder, as well as different cooperatives and crops cultivation in the centre of Albania, giving the 1 st hints for the Albanian Rural Development that we all are experiencing now. Community Led Local Development and LEADER Approach have been key words in his work with Caritas, LVIA and VIS, applied both in urban and rural context. Together with VIS, the first official urban plan for Tirana (more specifically for the area of Breglumasi) has been drafted and thanks to the support of the Italian Cooperation, the initiatives of VIS in Malësi e Madhe started in 2009, contributing to the strong development of the area, nowadays well known by the government and the numerous Albanian and foreign visitors. Pier Paolo is a reference point in the cooperation and development world, with a key and irreplaceable role also in the introduction of Slow Food in the country and founding member of ANRD. His deep knowledge of the Albanian History, his respect for each person he meets and the readiness of help whoever asks for support, his conviction that foreigners need to learn Albanian and not the contrary as well as his believe in the good heart of people, are an example of how all together we should contribute to the sustainable development of Albania.