The Municipality of Përmet has prioritized supporting young people as an endless source of energy. The project “Improve access to public services for the empowerment of youth in Përmet (IN-YEP)” aims to contribute to the well-being of young people by improving public infrastructure and increasing the quality and accessibility of services.

The “Ollga Shuraja” Youth Center has been reconstructed, benefiting 326 young people in the Municipality of Përmet. The Municipality of Përmet accomplished the reconstruction with the financial support of the European Union through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme. The total budget dedicated to the project is 180,000.00 euros, of which 162,000.00 euros are the contribution of the European Union.

Through the renovation of the building, new public spaces specifically designed for youth have been established. The project aims to promote the creativity, talents, and economic empowerment of young people in this municipality through improved infrastructure and additional services. Mayor Permet Alma Hoxha is grateful for the support, which has enabled the enhancement of facilities and the provision of new services for the benefit of the youth.

Mayor Alma Hoxha stressed the vital importance of not only rebuilding the structure but also revitalizing it. “The center is currently operational and is managed by the young people of Përmet themselves, who continue to grow in numbers and contribute increasingly innovative ideas”, says Hoxha.

Today, the “Ollga Shuraja” Youth Center offers seven public services for youth.

Megi Ibrahimi, Chair of the Local Youth Council, is thrilled to see the Youth Center open its doors to all the young people of Përmet. She describes it as a place where ideas and perspectives come together, skills are developed, and free time in the afternoons is filled with enjoyable activities. Megi Ibrahimi expresses gratitude for being allowed to be part of this process.

The project consisted not only of the reconstruction of the “Ollga Shuraja” Youth Center but also of the training and support of the youth center staff and the organization of informative, entertaining, awareness-raising, and educational activities for young people. The Career Counseling Office is now up and running, helping people with their career needs.

Denisa Mamillo, Project Manager in the Municipality of Përmet, emphasizes that the construction of a youth center and the improvement of the quality of services have been constant requests of the youth of Përmet.

The successful attainment of the project in the inaugural “EU for Municipalities” call marked the fulfillment of this request. Our gratitude goes to the “EU for Municipalities” team for their steadfast assistance throughout the project’s implementation, recognizing that a well-implemented project catalyzes the development and execution of subsequent EU projects,” emphasized Denisa Mamillo.

Thanks to the project, five youth startups were established, supported by experts through legal, managerial, and financial consulting. Meanwhile, five members of the municipal staff were trained in youth issues. However, activities were developed on issues closely related to the European Union, with the active participation of youngsters.

Investing in youth is one of the most important strategies for the long-term development of a country. Youth represents energy, creativity, and the potential for change and progress. To fully harness this potential, it is crucial to allocate resources to education, healthcare, job prospects, and social integration for the youth.

The Palace of Culture, named after the first conductor from Mat, has been completely transformed today, offering new services to 5,000 community members. The reconstructed building has already been equipped with new ballet and music halls, an art gallery, and a conference hall. The facade of the building has been completely renovated as well. The municipality hopes to revitalize Burrel’s cultural and artistic life by providing a fresh appearance and services at the Palace of Culture.

The ICTe-Mat: Innovation and Culture to Empower Mat project also aimed to establish a youth center focused on technology and innovation. Since its opening, the robotics, design, and coding courses have been popular among enthusiastic young people and children eager to learn about technology.

Dea Basha, a 17-year-old with a passion for technology, expresses how the training sessions at the ICTe-Mat Innovation Center have significantly impacted her personal growth. Engaging in 3D design, scratch coding, and robotics workshops has enabled her to acquire new skills and enhance her creativity in the field of technology. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of this platform has provided her with the opportunity to work on innovative projects in a stimulating environment. The entire project of the Municipality of Mati utilized a total of 238,000.00 euros, with 199,920.00 euros coming from the European Union. The budget was allocated for various purposes, including the reconstruction of the Palace of Culture, the establishment and equipping of the ICT Center, ICT skills training, workshops focusing on youth and European integration, as well as the training and employment of two municipal employees. Additionally, the staff of the municipality in Burrel received training during the project implementation. Elson Reçi, the director of the Directorate of Public Services and project coordinator for the Municipality of Mati, provided a comprehensive overview of how “EU for Municipalities” has contributed to enhancing local capacity. The “EU for Municipalities” project has not only invested in reconstructed facilities like the innovation center, art gallery, and ballet hall but has also provided a wide array of services aimed at enhancing the infrastructure and capabilities of local institutions. These services encompass training sessions for municipal staff, which play a crucial role in their professional and personal growth, consequently benefiting the institutional progress of the municipality.

The training sessions cover various aspects such as enhancing communication skills, time management, teamwork, and collaboration, along with sessions focusing on developing intercultural interaction skills. Through the provision of technical assistance and training in key areas, the “EU for Municipalities” project has significantly contributed to bolstering capacities and project management at the local level,” says Reçi. We are optimistic that the modernized Palace of Culture and the establishment of the Technology and Innovation Center will help to improve social and economic conditions, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for the residents of Mat Municipality.

To enhance environmental awareness and foster responsibility, the Municipality of Kamza has implemented the “Clean Environment, Healthy, and Quality Education in Schools” project through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme. Two educational institutions became direct beneficiaries of the project.: “Isa Boletini” High School in Paskuqan and 9-Year-Old School “Dom Nikolle Kaçorri” in Laknas, while about 20 thousand students and community members were informed about waste management practices, especially about their separation and recycling. By introducing waste separation bins in 25 municipal schools, the project has made significant progress in fostering responsible waste disposal practices. The total budget allocated for this project is 53,392 euros, with 47,260 euros funded by the European Union.

“Supported by the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme, Kamza Municipality has successfully achieved its objectives by providing infrastructure for waste separation at the source and increasing green spaces in 25 schools, while raising awareness and informing 22,000 students and the community of Kamza Municipality about the importance of a clean and green environment. Therefore, protecting the environment is not an option but an obligation that we owe to ourselves and future generations,” says Valentina Kola, project manager of the Kamza Municipality.

25 ecological school groups were established as part of this project, and 25 cleaning and greening initiatives were planned for schools and the surrounding area with the active participation of 625 students.

Green policies are essential to ensuring a sustainable and healthy future for future generations. Including renewable resources, waste management, biodiversity protection, and sustainable transport, these policies can help build a cleaner and more sustainable world. Although there are challenges to implementing them, the long-term benefits they bring are invaluable.

The recently established center offers a variety of programs and services for individuals of all ages. Services currently available at the Center include healthcare assistance, support for seniors and children, sports and leisure activities, as well as educational, cultural, and artistic programs. The Municipality of Shkodra implemented the reconstruction and furnishing of the Multifunctional Center “Xixellonjat” with funding from the European Union under the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme.

In a statement, Mr. Hubert Perr, the Head of Cooperation at the EUD in Tirana, expressed the delegation’s goal of offering people in Albania a higher standard of living and services, pointing to “EU for Municipalities” as evidence of their dedication to this objective.

The total budget for the reconstruction of the building and furnishing is 195,920.00 euros, of which the contribution of the European Union is 176,225.00 euros or 89.95% of the value.

Since its opening, the “Xixëllonjat” Multifunctional Center has been actively promoting social inclusion and community development through a variety of social and cultural services and activities.

“The uniqueness of the “Xixëlonjat” Multifunctional Center lies in the need and great desire of the community for the rehabilitation of an abandoned building in the heart of their suburban neighbourhood. The appreciation we garnered, the delighted children, and the amazed looks at the outcome are the most precious memories I will bring with me from this project,” says Mirza Berdica, project manager for the Municipality of Shkodër.

Lorena Bardeli, a specialist of the Directorate of Social Services in the Municipality of Shkodra, says: “One of the residents of the neighbourhood said: “For the first time after many years, there are people who go in and out getting services where they live,”. This is what we wanted to achieve by setting up the “Xixëllonjat” Multifunctional Center. A dedicated team worked on the reconstruction of the Multifunctional Center, which is housed in the former Veterinary School building in a troublesome suburban neighborhood of Shkodra.”

Individuals of all age groups, including adults and children, can find suitable spaces to develop their capacities through the library, amphitheatre, facilities for the elderly, nursery, and playroom.

Aid Gjonaj, a student at “Xheladin Fishta” school, expresses his joy in coming together every week through the activity “Putting the game first.” This provides a wonderful chance for him and his friends to bond, grow, and learn together.

The new center in Shkodra encourages social connections and reinforces community solidarity. Along with delivering essential services, the center serves as a venue where individuals can exchange insights, learn from one another, and collaborate towards building a more unified and sustainable community.

]]> https://eu4municipalities.al/en/shkodra-new-multifunctional-center-community-at-heart/feed/ 0 https://eu4municipalities.al/en/berat-a-look-at-three-important-reconstructed-buildings-in-service-of-education-2/ https://eu4municipalities.al/en/berat-a-look-at-three-important-reconstructed-buildings-in-service-of-education-2/#respond Sun, 28 Jul 2024 23:22:47 +0000 https://eu4municipalities.al/?p=7086 “The “EU for Municipalities” project naturally promoted educational development in the Municipality of Berat,” says Marius Qytyku, Director of the European Integration and Projects Directorate in the Municipality of Berat.

Berat is a charming town with the Tomorri mountain in the background and the Osumi River flowing through. The distinctive architectural design, characterized by vertically stacked windows, establishes the setting for the revitalization of three important buildings in the service of knowledge.

With the financial support of the European Union through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme, the Municipality of Berat reconstructed the kindergarten “Shaban Sollaku” in the village of Morava, the 9-year-old school “Veri Gjata” in the Dushnik village, and the town Education Service Center. A total of 5,220 students and children along with around 1,400 parents and 400 teachers, have benefited from the improved facilities and services.

“Through strategic interventions in the infrastructure, we have successfully created modernized educational environments in Morava village Kindergarten and Dushnik village School. This has resulted in better alignment between policy design and implementation. Interventions in the Education Service Center brought the users closer to the final beneficiaries, such as decision-makers, teachers, the community, parents, and students,” says Qytyku, Director of the Directorate of European Integration and Projects in the Municipality.

With a total budget of 200,000.00 euros, the European Union’s contribution amounted to 90%, equivalent to 180,000.00 euros.

This funding led to improved infrastructure, enhanced services, and a better quality of life.

Klodi Vokopola Hoxha, Director of the Education Service Center in Berat, says that the new building of the Center has an enormous impact on improving the quality of the service, increasing the range of services, and increasing the number of beneficiaries.

“The educational initiatives of the Directorate have been significantly bolstered in this academic year, owing to the activation of the reconstructed facilities as part of the “EU for Municipalities” program. It has facilitated access for all those interested in receiving our service. The implementation of this project has significantly enhanced the operational efficiency of administrative staff. It has facilitated collaboration among team members, making it easier to work in groups, share necessary information between departments, and conduct training and meeting sessions in comfortable and relaxing environments. The Educational Directorate increased the crucial support and care to children with disabilities and their parents, marking a significant step forward. These are important indicators for the extraordinary impact that the new building of the Education Services Center has on improving the quality of the service, increasing the range of services we offer, and increasing the number of beneficiaries of our service,” says Director Vokopola.

With its implementation, the “Multifunctional Services in the Field of Education” project combined infrastructure improvements and established new educational services. In addition, four project-related activities were carried out under suitable conditions at the Education Service Center. Books and didactic tools were provided for 40 kindergartens throughout Berat Municipality, while 45 employees were trained.

By successfully implementing the project, was achieved the primary goal: to strengthen the community of Berat Municipality by enhancing services and improving the quality of education.

This project not only addresses the needs of marginalized groups but also contributes to improving the quality of life for all residents of this mountainous area.” The establishment of the Multifunctional Center has given life to the establishment of six missing social services in the Fushë-Arrëz Municipality for all social classes in need. The municipality of Fushë-Arrëz gives absolute priority to the marginalized social strata through programs that promote their inclusiveness in society and the provision of services through social-cultural activities. We thank the European Union for the support and the ‘EU for Municipalities’ Team”, says the Mayor of Fushë-Arrëzi Municipality, Hil Curri. The “Needs Evaluation and Case Referral Unit (NECRU): Service for the Community” project achieved its main goal of providing improved municipal services to all social strata in need, including children, youth, women and girls, persons with limited disabilities, and the third age. The project has managed to provide services to about 60 people from marginalized groups, including 30 people with disabilities, 10 people with low economic income, and 20 people with special needs. A key component of the project was the training and development of five people from the social care sector and one person from each administrative unit. A social worker was also employed in Fushë-Arrëz Municipality to provide direct support to these groups. Communication and visibility activities were also organized to increase awareness and recognition of the new services offered.

During the Local Government Forum held on October 13, 2023, in Tirana, the head of the Fushë-Arrëz Municipality, Curri, emphasized the need for the implementation of more such projects supported by the European Union. He emphasized the importance of increasing and strengthening the capacity to write and implement projects, stressing that all municipalities in Albania need this assistance to improve services for their citizens.

While the need for similar projects continues, support from the European Union and the strengthening of local capacities will be essential for the future of social development in Albania.

“The opening of the youth center signifies a crucial advancement in community growth and the social integration of youth.

This center offers a secure and nurturing setting where young individuals can hone their talents, take part in cultural, athletic, and educational endeavours, and establish fresh social bonds. The center serves as a valuable resource for the community at large, cultivating a positive ambience and bolstering the well-being of youngsters,” says Aleks Xhavara, a member of the Local Youth Council. The premises of the Youth Center today serve the activities of 180 young people, offering a safe and well-equipped space for educational and social activities.

“The Multifunctional Youth Center was very necessary for our municipality. We thank “EU for Municipalities” for making it possible to implement this project, which benefited all of the youth of Rrogozhina,” says Olsi Dranga, Director of Support Services in Rrogozhin Municipality. Endri Demarku, Chair of the Local Youth Council, says that the Youth Center is an indispensable environment in the community where he lives. “This center serves as a bridge between youngsters and the whole community. Here, all young age groups can develop their skills and improve them”.

During the implementation of the project, 30 students were trained in communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. These skills are essential for their personal and professional development, preparing them for future challenges. The center also serves differently-abled youth, integrating them as an integral part of the community. This inclusion helps promote equality and diversity.

The project for the reconstruction and furnishing of the Youth Center in the Municipality of Rrogozhina is an important step towards improving the lives of young people in this area. With numerous educational and social activities and a special focus on developing leadership skills, this project provides a strong platform for the active involvement of young people in community life and decision-making.

In service of this goal, the Mirdita Municipality has been selected as one of the 19 winners of the “EU for Municipalities” Grant Scheme, with the “EU for Children in Rrëshen” project. With a total budget of 46,856.99 euros, of which the European Union contributed 40,120.75 euros, a children’s playground was built in the middle of a green park in the town of Rrëshen.

Today, over 1300 children in Rrëshen are enjoying the new playground on “Gjergj Fishta” street. The playground, constructed in a green park, is intended to be an entertainment place for children and a relaxing spot for adults. The project has successfully achieved its goal of providing improved public services for the community through small interventions in the town of Rrëshen.

The Mayor of Mirdita, Albert Mëlyshi, is delighted by the successful implementation of the “EU for Children in Rrëshen” project.

He expresses hope for continued cooperation with the EU, stating, “As the newly elected mayor in May 2023, it was a pleasure to implement and inaugurate a playground for the children of the town of Rrëshen. The “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme was a positive first experience with EU projects. The Municipality aims to access as many of the Union’s funds as possible to further develop Mirdita”.

Throughout the project implementation, four public activities were organized in a green environment, with the participation of over 1314 children and 753 elderly people. The aim was to promote intergenerational dialogue, empower young people, emphasize the role of the elderly, and encourage environmental awareness. One of the activities specifically focused on promoting EU values related to healthy living.

Gjovalin Marfana, Project Manager at Mirdita Municipality, is one of the employees who has participated in many trainings held within the “EU for Municipalities” program. As the person responsible for coordination in the Unit for European Integration and Foreign Aid in the municipality, he expresses appreciation for the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme.

Marfana asserts, “Participating in this program not only provided me with training in composing and executing a project in which I had direct involvement but also equipped me with valuable skills. This experience proved especially beneficial from March to May 2023, when the Municipality of Mirdita submitted four project proposals in response to open calls.

As a result, two grant contracts were awarded to the Municipality of Mirdita.”

The successful implementation of the “EU for Children in Rrëshen” project has provided Mirdita Municipality with a wealth of valuable experience, encompassing aspects such as project management, community engagement, financial administration, and resource allocation, among others. This experience will undoubtedly contribute to the municipality’s capacity to undertake and manage similar projects in the future, fostering continued growth and development within the community.

The municipality completed the infrastructure reconstruction of the “Koço Korçari” school thanks to financial support from the European Union through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme. The total budget for the project “Reconstruction of the ‘Koço Korçari’ School” amounted to 49,725 euros, with 34,825 euros provided by the European Union. The new and modern facilities of the school are currently accommodating 107 students.

Valbona Shkëmbi, the school teacher, expressed that the renovation of “Koço Korçari” school was a long-awaited demand from both the academic staff and parents. With the support of the “EU for Municipalities” project, the school now offers significantly improved facilities. She also emphasized the positive impact of the project, as it not only enhanced the school’s conditions but also allowed for the organization of various engaging activities.

Throughout the project implementation, five educational events were held, engaging 300 children and 150 youngsters in the municipality. 

These events included “Cultural Heritage of the European Union,” “City Festive Week,” and “Youth Day Activity.” Additionally, an art exhibition showcasing EU values featured artworks by 40 children, including 10 with diverse abilities.

The overall budget for the realization of the project “Active Tropoja Youth for Our Municipality” was 53,848 euros, of which 48,463.2 euros is the contribution of the European Union.

Rinisa Osmanaj is the youth coordinator at the youth center. She says that the center represents an important step for the community; it is a creative place rich in activities for young people. “We aim to create a supportive environment where young people can develop and build their future,” says Osmanaj.

120 young people have benefited from the reconstruction of the Youth Center. The activities of the Youth Camp, organized for three days, have attracted 70 young people who participated in special training modules on the decision-making process. These activities aim to empower and increase the skills of young people in their involvement in decision-making and the public life of the community.

“The Youth Center in Tropoja is already a special meeting point for young people, where they can show their potential. It is the place where the youth gather and work to build a better future,” says Erla Seci, a member of the Local Youth Council.

“The Youth Center in Tropoja is multifunctional. It helps us young people to organize activities and make our ideas come true,” says Klodian Gjyriqi, another member of the Local Youth Council.

A key aspect of the project was the training and development of five municipal employees on youth program management and cooperation with the Youth Council. This training has been essential for guaranteeing efficient management of youth activities and increasing the capacity of the Youth Center.

“The Youth Center was a desire and request of the youth that was expected for a long time, and it was finally realized. Now the wonderful young people from Tropoja have a suitable and comfortable environment to realize their ideas, plans, and organizations,” says Fjorda Breçani, Chair of the Local Youth Council. The reconstruction of the Youth Center in Tropoja Municipality represents an important step towards improving services and activities for young people. This project has created new opportunities for the personal and professional development of young people in the area, engaging them more in public life and decision-making. With the support of the Youth Council and the work plan for the next five years, Tropoja Municipality aims to ensure a brighter and more active future for its youth.