The Albanian Government has declared the list of the 100 villages, part of the Integrated Rural Development Program - a  four year long initiative of providing financial support for economical, infrastructural and sustainable tourism development. 

This joint program of the 4 Ministries: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry lf Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism and Environment was presented on the 3rd of February by Minister Niko Peleshi, and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Minister Peleshi stated that the cooperation between the four ministries introduces a new unity between the human and financial sources, directed towards a fast and proportional development for new village models in Albania. These villages, said Mr. Peleshi, were chosen because within the last 25 years, each of them demonstrated initiative for development, promotion of their own products, and a touristic potential - even with a lack of a proper and established policy.

Vuno © Erisa Nesimi

The program’s objectives are:

1. Improvement of the public infrastructure (Support for road infrastructure, revitalization of public/urban spaces, community infrastructure, public services, environmental and touristic infrastructure, monuments of cultural heritage, landscape, implementation of multifunctional community centers)

2. Economic development through diversification of economic activities (amelioration of the touristic potential in the rural areas, agrotourism, rural tourism, investments in the improvement of commercial services, investments in the production of traditional products, and other economic services. Support for incubators of traditional local products, promotion and marketing of rural areas, transport, fairs)

3. Development of social and human capital (support for the creation of rural networks, local action groups as well as civil society in rural areas, vocational training for women and the youth, support for cultural heritage, support for the promotion of the traditions and lifestyle in the village).

Lukova village © Erisa Nesimi

The support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the program of 100 Village is as follows:

1. Support up to 50% of the investment value, not more than 1million ALL - as an incentive to the rural tourism for the development of guesthouses

2. Support up to 50% of the investment value, no more than 20 million ALL - to support agrotouristic activities

3. Support up to 50% of the investment value, no more than 1 million ALL - to support and encourage traditional produce, and establish small working places.

4. Support up to 50% of the buying value of the equipments - towards machinery, other equipments for the production of traditional products

5. Grants up to 500.000 ALL - towards the encouragement of Start Ups from the youth (from 22-35 years old)

6. Support up to 80% of the investment value, not more than 200.000 ALL - towards the support of the modernization of huts

7. Support with grants up to 70% of the investment value, no more than 15 million ALL - towards the establishment of incubators for traditional products

8. Support up to 50% of the investment value, not more than 2 million ALL - towards the establishment of shops with Albanian products.

Minister Peleshi as a closing remark, invited all enterpreneurs who want to develop agrotouristic structures to be certified and later on apply for the National Scheme, channeled through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Dhermi © Erisa Nesimi

The list of the Villages is as follows:

From Shkoder, Malesi e Madhe: Lepusha, Razem/Vrith, Theth, Qelez, Drisht, Qelez, Kryezi, Mjede, Zogaj; from Kukes and Tropoja: Valbona, Cahan, Shtiqen, Shishtavec; Lezhe : Fishte, Ishull Lezhe, Orosh, Skuraj, Kukel; Diber and Bulqize: Radomire, Bushkash, Rabdisht, Zerqan, Guri i Bardhe; Durres and Kruje: Halilaj, Shetaj, Rade, Metaliaj, Shenvlash, Gjepalaj; Tirana and Kavaja: Preza, Marikaj, Shesh, Laknas, Shengjergj, Pellumbas, Peze, German, Karpen, Vile Bashtove; Elbasan and Librazhd: Stebleve, Dardhe, Rrajce, Skenderbej, Shushice, Gjinar, Shenavlas, Sotire, Shtremen, Pajove, Seferan; Lushnje and Fier: Goricaj, Krutje, Ardenice, Libofsha, Luar, Siceqe, Hekal, Cakran; Berat, Skrapar, Kucove: Kozare, Malas Breg, Roshnik, Qafe Dardhe, Kapinove, Blezencke; Vlore and Saranda: Zvernec, Drashovice, Plloce, Kanine, Dhermi/Vuno, Kuc, Lukova, Rusan, Cuka, Mesopotam, Mursi; Gjirokastra: Kalivac, Nivice, Peshtan, Kosine, Maleshove, Leuse, Antigone, Zhulat, Dhoksat, Lazarat, Nepravishta, Sotira; Korca and Pogradec: Lin, Tushemisht, Gurras, Zvirine, Zaroshke, Voskopoja, Boboshtica, Dardha, Arrez, Nikolica, Rehova, Borova.

The Integrated Rural Development Program is expected to be implemented in 2018-2020.

Map of the 100 Villages. Image courtesy of Monitor Magazine

Top image: Dhermi © Erisa Nesimi

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