EC-UNDP funding helps Kukes development

KUKES, Oct 29 – A 5 million euros funding from the European Commission and the UNDP Albania has had significant effects to improve the development of the northeastern district of Kukes, that also added its own funding of 600,000 Euros to the project.
Through the EC-UNDP partnership, 185 community based organizations were formed, 75 small scale projects in the region of Kuk쳠were implemented, and 81,500 inhabitants of Kuk쳬 Has and Tropoja districts today have access to better roads, better irrigation channels, water supply systems, access to better health care centers, better schools and kindergartens as well as improved environmental conditions.
“I am very glad to see that these projects have brought clear and tangible benefits to the citizens of the District of Kuk쳠in essential areas of life, such as health and education. Furthermore, what is remarkable about this Initiative is that the citizens did not remain aloof of the development process around them. Quite the contrary, they were instrumental in pinpointing their needs and therefore shaping the project activities and implementation. It also ought to be noted that the projects have been sensitive to gender equality in their activities, making sure to engage women as much as possible”, said EC Ambassador Helmuth Lohan.
The KRDI project began in 2005 and lasted for three years. In general terms, it aimed at improving the lives of the citizens in the regions of Kuk쳠through the rehabilitation of infrastructure such as water supply and sewerage systems, and school reconstruction for the poorest villages in the Kuk쳠District. The project also sought to further strengthen the capacities of the local governments to collectively identify and plan development projects.
A specific project component aimed at facilitating establishment of community based organizations, which represented the interests of the communities and led the process of identifying and implementing development works. All the development works were implemented by local companies which offered employment opportunities to local community members.