Netherlands helps strengthen local governance in Diber

PESHKOPI, March 29 – The Dutch Embassy, the Regional Council of Diber Qark and SNV Netherlands Development Organization signed Wednesday the agreement for the Support Program for Strengthening Local Governance in Diber Qark, a unique commitment between three parties to build a sustainable system for regional development. With this agreement, the three-year Support Program will start next month. The objective of this program is to promote socio-economic development of the Diber region by strengthening local government structures by: assisting municipalities and communes to implement their strategic development plans and, building the capacities in the Qark administration, communes and municipalities.
Netherlands will finance 3.6 million euro for investments projects that will be selected from the proposals of the municipalities and communes of Diber Qark according to some transparent criterias. The municipalities and the communes which will apply for financial support, should contribute respectively 40 % and 30 % of their own resources to implement projects. Local authorities will announce the schedule and dates for each grant round. Normally, there are two rounds per year, but for 2007 there will be only one round. The Embassy will finance also 0.5 million euro for the capacity development component of the project.
SNV Netherlands Development Organization will offer its expertise for the capacity building of local governments units through its qualified advisors. The value of this expertise is approximately 0.5 million euro for three years. SNV has four regional offices in Albania: Tirana, Fier, Korce and Peshkopi.
This program is intended to become a showcase and serve as an example for other Qarks. Qarks are the second level of local government in Albania. The Diber Qark includes four municipalities and 31 communes, with 196 000 inhabitants.