THE 2ND ALBANIAN RURAL PARLIAMENT || EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE OF RURAL ALBANIA

The 2nd Albanian Rural Parliament (ARP) marked a unique landmark of rural advocacy, networking, and exchange. The 2nd ARP - a joint effort by ANRD consisting of twenty-eight local CSOs, in coordination with Agriculture University of Tirana and Epoka University – brought together on March 4-5, 2021, both physically and remotely, 600 people from rural areas as well as important actors of agricultural and rural development to discuss the challenges and concrete actions which they can take to serve the well-being of rural people. [Read more]

JOINT DECLARATION OF THE 2ND ALBANIAN RURAL PARLIAMENT

– a set of recommendations addressing the development priorities of rural communities in Albania - submitted to the Prime Minister, President, Speaker of the Assembly, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other line Ministries, Local Self-Government Units, main political parties, and other development actors as a way to ensure their commitment to further advancing the rural agenda. We, over 600 participants from all over Albania, convened virtually and physically in the second Albanian Rural Parliament held on March 4-5 by the Albanian Network for Rural Development in coordination with the Agricultural University of Tirana and Epoka University, and with the participation of representatives of public institutions, local authorities, farmers, civil society organizations and other local-level stakeholders. Regardless of the difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic, the second Albanian Rural Parliament, through the digital platform and thanks to the organizational and coordinating efforts of the Albanian Network for Rural Development, made possible this important meeting for dialogue, cooperation, exchange of critical issues of rural development as well as draw recommendations on development and revitalization of the life and economy of rural communities. [Read the Declaration]

PUBLIC DEBATE || NAGE

On March 25, 2021, in the premises of Hotel "Mondial" Tirana, the Albanian Network for Rural Development held the public debate 'Identification of challenges and opportunities related to the process of approximation of legislation on green economy' within the framework of the project Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy - NAGE. The discussion took place around the study conducted by international and local experts on " State of affairs for fostering green economy in agriculture and rural development: Comparative analysis of national programs and measures in the WB countries and Croatia " [Read more]

ENHANCING COOPERATION BETWEEN ANRD AND EPOKA

On March 30, 2021, the representatives of the Albanian Rural Development Network paid a courtesy visit to Epoka University following up the successful cooperation between the two institutions in the frame of the second Albanian Rural Parliament organization on March 4-5. Representatives of ANRD, Mr. Sotiraq Hroni- Chairman of Board, Ms. Evelina Azizaj - National Coordinator and Mr. Gent Imeraj - Guide of Rural Youth Hub were welcomed by the Rector of Epoka University, Mr. Güngör Turan at Epoka University premises. During the visit, the senior representatives of the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding embarking joint future initiatives.

FARM TO FORK ACADEMY || PILOT INVESTMENTS

In the frame of the project “Farm to Fork” Academy – V4 for Sustainable Agriculture in Albania, ANRD organized on Thursday 15.04.2021, the activity entitled “Pitching Session: The New Green Deal”. The event took place in the premises of ANRD deploying a complete technological infrastructure and enabling digital connection. In the session, 11 participating ideas were presented throughout the Academy. Following the evaluation of the jury, we are happy to announce the three winning ideas to be piloted with the amount of 1,000 Euro each idea by offering technical support through mentoring until their implementation. [Read more]

POLICY DOCUMENT || LEADER APPROACH

The policy document “The dynamics of implementation of the LEADER approach and its way forward in Albania” prepared by ANRD in September 2020 is published on the official website of the ENRD (European Network for Rural Development) by adding it to the rich resource inventory on the LEADER approach. The policy document provides an overview of the dynamics and progress of the LEADER approach as an instrument of rural development. The document provides a mapping of partnership structures created in Albania, shedding light on the challenges and weaknesses that accompany implementation of LEADER approach.

CONFERENCE || WOMEN AND AGRICULTURE

On March 8, International Women's Day, the Conference "Women and Agriculture, from Entrepreneurship to Social Welfare" organized online by the Italian Embassy in Tirana brought to the forefront of discussion such important issues as Women, Agriculture, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Social Welfare. The program included important keynote speakers where Evelina Azizaj, the National Coordinator of the Albanian Network for Rural Development, was one of the panelist and had the opportunity to bring in her speech the concerns and priorities of rural women and girls. The conference broadcasted LIVE.

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

2ND EDITION
JOURNALIST CONTEST
tbc in 2021

In the framework of the project funded by the EU "Networking and Advocacy for the Green Economy" (NAGE) and following the first successful edition, during May-June will be opened for the second time the journalist contest on green economy. As in the first edition of the competition, we will have the pleasure to invite competitors with different profiles to present their articles on topics that advocate and promote the development of green economy and entrepreneurship in Albania. The exact opening date of the competition will be announced in the coming weeks. [Stay tuned!]

PROCEEDING
ALBANIAN RURAL PARLIAMENT II
May 2021

The second Albanian Rural Parliament procceeding will provide a summary of the discussions and contributions of guests and participants from the plenary sessions as well as the rural talks. Promoted as a European model and project three years ago, the National Rural Parliament in Albania remains a project focusing on both good governance and inclusive and participatory democracy. The second ARP was made possible thanks to the support of the European Union and German Cooperation - GIZ.
[The document is preparing]

DEMONSTRATION WORKSHOPS
FARM TO FORK ACADEMY
01 – 04 June 2021

Within the framework of the Academy "Farm to Fork", ANRD has successfully completed phase 1 of the Academy by selecting 12 participants. The academy passed to the second phase of its implementation, where after the pitching session and the selection of the 3 winning ideas, they will be implemented. The implementation will be carried out in a time frame of 1 month, where winning applicants will implement their planned investment. In the third phase, workshops will be organized to promote the delivered products and the evaluation of the academy. [Read more]

BENITO PRENDI - the journalist who abandoned his childhood dreams to dedicate himself to Rural Development

My name is Benito Prendi. I was born in Vau Dejes on March 14, 1988. I graduated with a "Master of Science" in 2012 in Communication Sciences at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Philology, International Journalism. Participants in various national and international trainings related to rural development and beyond. As a large part of the kids, my childhood dream was to one day become a talented footballer. Things were on the right track, at the age of 17 I became part of the ADA team of Velipoja in the second category of the Albanian championship. Successive injuries caused me to interrupt even before starting my childhood dream. Terribly in love with football at that time, I wanted to keep in touch with sports. That's why I chose to study journalism with the sole purpose of making sport the keyword in my life. Upon completion of my studies in 2012, I immediately started working as a sports journalist at RTV Ora News. I remember the first week of practice when I went out on the field with a political journalist. I was going back to the newsroom, I was not doing the news I was on the field for but I was looking for and finding sports news just to catch the eye of the programming director, to tell him that I was there to do sports journalism. Thanks to perseverance and passion I achieved the goal, I started at the sports editorial office where I stayed for more than a year gaining an unforgettable experience. Despite the work I did, the contacts with my hometown were so frequent and strong that one day I was abducted and returned to where I had taken the first steps of my childhood. With the idea that one day I would contribute a little to the country of birth, I returned and started working initially as an animator and manager of a library for children and young people in one of the religious institutions of the area. During this time I was fortunate enough to recognize the desire, passion of children and young people for books and reading. But what struck me was the inability of their families to buy or provide you with extracurricular books. Faced with this sad reality, I was always looking for opportunities to contribute somewhat to improving the lives of families in rural areas. In the spring of 2017 he came into casual contact with the association Volontari nel Mondo RTM. After getting acquainted with the goals and vision of this association, I decided without hesitation to become part of it, because their goals and vision matched the ideas and purpose of my return. The work in the first years was tedious but to give a special pleasure when I met in the villages of Northern Albania generous, stoic people and preservers of local culture and traditions. For about 3 years I was engaged in the role of Project Officer in the implementation of the project "Alliance for the Development and Evaluation of Family Agriculture in Northern Albania" funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation AICS and implemented by Volontari nel Mondo RTM. During the implementation of the project, I mainly dealt with the management of grants for the improvement of family businesses in the Municipalities of Vau Dejës, Puka and Fushë Arrëz. I had the good fortune to know closely the sad reality of these rural areas that in addition to countless problems offer a special feeling of hospitality and natural beauty to be admired. The fruit of the successful work in these years was undoubtedly the support and development of small family business, the creation of some practical manuals on breeding and administration of pastures, as well as the creation of the geographical brand "Taste of the North". A brand which promotes not only the products of Vau Dejës, Puka and Fushë Arrëz areas but also the culture, traditions and natural beauties of these areas. The next commitment is the implementation of another 3-year project funded by the European Union and entitled "Rural You". Since this project is entirely dedicated to rural youth, the idea is to give them the opportunity to build their future in their country of birth, for which I personally left the capital.