Through the EU for Municipalities project, the European Union has increased financial support for 61 Albanian municipalities to improve local infrastructure and services, protect the environment and empower young people and local communities. In the activity organized in Tirana for the announcement of the second call of the second grant scheme of the project “EU for Municipalities” it was emphasized that over 1/3 of the municipalities will receive concrete support through grants for public investments to respond to the needs priorities of their local communities.
Orlando Fusco, program manager at the European Union in Albania, during his opening speech said: “EU funds cover all areas of decentralization. The EU has increased financial assistance and almost every six months there is a call for grant applications for Albanian municipalities. The second call for EU grants for Municipalities will support 12-15 municipalities, this is an opportunity to improve your experience, performance and services to communities.
The activity was also greeted by Mrs. Adelina Farrici, Executive Director of the Albanian
Association of Local Autonomy, Mr. Agron Haxhimali, Director of Association of Albanian
Municipalities, Mrs. Jolanda Trebicka, Director of “Municipalities for Europe”.
During this meeting the project team, Elton Stafa, Ogerta Gjiknuri and Entela Pinguli presented the criteria, rules and other application procedures in this call.
“We encourage all municipalities to apply for grants as this is a way to increase the municipality’s investment in the community and at the same time to strengthen capacity, a key element for success in competitive grant processes,” said Mr. Elton Stafa, the EU for Municipalities project leader.
As part of the second call, three more informative meetings will be held in Lezha, Vlora, Elbasan with the representatives of the municipalities to get acquainted with the application criteria and procedures. The information cycle will be followed by training on writing and managing EU projects.
