Sustainable development of the territory: CISP’s work in Albania

As in many other countries all over the world, also in Albania pollution and a chaotic urbanization due to population growth and building speculation are causing serious environmental issues. There are more and more problems related to soil and water pollution, deforestation and soil erosion, as well as a significant loss of biodiversity.

A series of issues related to the operational and legislative management and disposal of waste, the lack of adequate infrastructures for the treatment of urban waste, and the lack of education on climate are a real threat for the environment. CISP’s work in Albania is related to the sustainable enhancement of the territory and resources to preserve and improve the ecosystem by taking action to reduce the main environmental problems.

Green-Al "Empowering Grass-Root CSOs for Improved Innovative Environmental Protection in Albania" is a project that CISP is implementing in Albania since January 2021, with the main purpose of contributing to the improvement and structuring of civil society organizations, to support them in effectively address environmental challenges throughout the Albanian territory and create tangible changes.

The peculiarity of this project funded by the The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is the union of 4 partners: Albanian CO-PLAN (who leads the partnership) and three Italian NGO’s very active locally, CISP, COSV and VIS, and the involvement of about 50 NGOs, civil society associations (CSOs), and activists in the environmental sector from all regions of Albania.

The project strengthens the networks of small local CSOs and creates opportunities for collaboration between CSOs, public authorities and the private sector at the local level, on environmental protection, awareness and environmental education, enhancement of natural resources and promote the environment as a lever for local sustainable development able to improve the locals’ social life.

The project offers opportunities for technical assistance, training to enhance environmental knowledge, opportunities for involvement and participation of the local community in development processes; it facilitates communication, exchange and concrete collaboration between CSOs and between CSOs public authorities and local communities and above all offers financial support to environmental organizations through grants.

Currently in the area of competence of CISP, the northeast of Albania, there are five active projects that deal with very important environmental issues.

1. Community commitment for the protection of water resources in the village of Madhesh, municipality of Mat
   Led by the local NGO Shoqata Miqesia, this project gives a voice to the inhabitants of a small village in the north of the country, in Ulez Municipality, to protect the biodiversity and water resources that provide irrigation water for the whole community. Through the active involvement of locals, petitions and the transfer of technical knowledge, the project resists the construction of the hydro power plant which would cause the loss of water throughout the village.
2. Increasing local capacities for the protection and promotion of nature and ecotourism in the area of Has.
   Their project develops local capacities for the protection and promotion of nature and ecotourism in the Municipality of Has area and raises awareness and promotes joint initiatives between the community and local actors to preserve and improve the management of natural resources.
3. Young friends of the environment
   In Tropoja Municipality, the Alpin Association brings environmental education to schools and among community members with the aim of conserving and enhancing biodiversity and endemic species; itpromotes the sustainable use of natural resources and environmental practices that can create social well-being in rural areas throughout the district. Furthermore, through the creation of eco-school groups, it supports young environmental activists united in defense of the future of the younger generations.
4. In the framework of the project "Green agreement to strengthen the value chain of natural resources" the association Federation of Forest And Pasture Users Region Kukes lunched the initiative “Kukes Territory”
   in collaboration with the young students of the "Elmaz Ademi" Bardhoc school, and with the "P.P.K. Tërthore" Association, have created development models for the environmental heritage by sharing knowledge, small concrete actions and daily attention that help, together, to preserve the environment and the surrounding nature.
5. Be cool, recycle materials in your school
   The lack of information on recycling is at the heart of this project which provides an intensive and inclusive educational process in the schools of Kukes with practical activities in order to sensitize teachers and students to environmental issues, in particular the differentiation and recycling of waste.

The enhancement of the resources and potential present on site strengthens civil society, so that it becomes a lead character in the development of its own territory. Raising awareness and involving inhabitants, civil society, students, women, youth and public institutions is the consistent work that is carried out daily by CISP in Albania. 

Read more about CISP’s work on Environment and Climate