Dutch aid to Diber development projects

TIRANA, March 3 – Albanian central and regional authorities were joined by Dutch officials Wednesday to hold a conference on “Developing Diber – Shaping the County in a Challenging Environment”.
Deputy Minister Ferdinand Poni, Dutch Ambassador Henk G.C. van den Dool, Diber Qark head Gezim Gazidede and Director of the SNV Netherlands Development Organization Jack Cortenraad took part at the conference joined by representatives of the donor community in Albania, senior representatives of central and local government and programme implementers.
The conference marks the successful implementation of the 3-year development programme ‘Strengthening Local Governance in Dib철Qark’, which was financed by a trust fund of approximately 3.6 million Euro provided by the Netherlands to Diber Qark.
During the conference participants explored the lessons, challenges and successes encountered during the implementation of this programme.
The conference also involved the wider donor community as it explores the impact of the Diber Qark Programme on the national dialogue on decentralization and regional development, and its application to further investments.
Over the past three years, the Netherlands supported the programme Strengthening Local Governance in Dib철Qark based on a tripartite agreement between Dib철Qark Council, the Dutch Embassy and SNV Netherlands Development Organization.
A trust fund of approximately 3.6 million Euro provided funds for 50 projects county-wide. These funds were matched with a 20 percent (VAT) contribution from central government and 30-40 percent of matching contributions from communes and municipalities in the region. Implementation of the programme was assisted by capacity building provided by SNV, who contributed advisory services. SNV assisted municipalities, communes and Qark structures on preparation and implementation of strategic plans, fund raising, financial planning, project cycle management and public procurement procedures.
As a result of the programme, every commune and municipality has a Strategic Plan. This enabled projects supported financially from the trust fund to be clearly identified strategic priorities of local communities with local financial and political support. Over 66 percent of local units and 78 percent of the population in the county benefited directly from projects implemented in their localities.
The conference “Shaping the role of the county in a challenging environment” also explored changes and innovations in Dib철County Council during the programme, which contribute to the ongoing discussion on shaping its role in development and the wider national implications for decentralization and regional development.