Green Ideas 2016 competition

Winners of the competition

GREEN IDEAS 2016

Supported by

Partners Albania organized on 24-25 May 2016 in Tirana, the National Competition

“Green Ideas 2016�.

This is the ďŹ fth year that Partners Albania organizes this competition, aiming to support initiatives that promote social inclusion, integration, employment and local economic development through ideas that are environmentally friendly. The novelty lies in cooperation and creation of a joint seed fund from national companies and international donor institutions with institutional support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF).

During the two days of competition, sixteen individuals, civil society organizations and small businesses presented their ideas before the evaluation panel of experts who selected the three best ideas introduced in this brochure.

Each of the winning ideas will receive funding in the amount of 800,000 ALL. The co-funders are Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Credins Bank and Telekom Albania.

The wining ideas of the national competition will participate in the regional competition that will be organized by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in July, in Serbia.

Cultivation of saffron Fiqiri Guxha is a resident of Daias village in Petrelë, graduated in 1983 in Agronomy and in 2006 in Biology. He has a long experience as an agronomist and lately as a teacher. The passion for agronomy has driven him to test and cultivate many agricultural products even when he was no longer working in this field.

Through this initiative, Mr. Guxha will start the cultivation of saffron in this area which lacks other self-employment initiatives through cultivation of agricultural products. The cultivation of this plant with high curative and nutritional value is completely bio because it does not use pesticides or other hazardous chemicals for the health or the soil. This way, it will also help improve the quality of the soil which has been damaged by overuse of pesticides.

In the first year, six women from the village will be trained and employed during the entire process, from cultivation of the plant until the product packing. In addition, the success of the initiative in this village will promote the cultivation of saffron in the surrounding villages as well, thus stimulating the economic development of the entire area.

The beautiful landscape the saffron field will create, will increase the touristic attractiveness of the area.

Komani Speaks!

Komani culture was tracked in 1898 through the discovery of a large cemetery near Dalmaca Castle in Komani and later with the discovery of about 30 similar cemeteries, mainly spread in Northern and Middle Albania. Since decades ago till currently there have been several archaeological expeditions in the area, testifying about the history of this country. The Komani civilization is a multi-dimensional treasure consisting of archeological remains, a splendid nature and the existence of old copper mines which can be restored. It makes a tremendous asset for the country's economy as well as a very important model for the world civilization.

Through this initiative, the organization Cospe aims to revitalize the Komani culture focusing on its historical, cultural and natural values, towards a local economic development with the involvement of the community.

They will build 5 trails for tourists that will highlight the assets of the area, old churches and other buildings as well as the wonderful natural environment, linking this destination with other areas like Valbona or Sarda. It will boost the economic development of the area through generation of income for residents.

Ten youngsters from Komani will be trained as touristic guides, accompanying tourists during visits to churches, cemeteries and monuments, showing them the history and the culture of this civilization.

The organization will implement the awareness campaign "Komani, I want the best for you!" in schools and with the community at large, to enhance the sense of belonging, value of natural and cultural heritage, accountability and obligation to preserve this culture for generations to come.

Agro-tourism, Eco- Social Farm http://infothedoor.com/

The seed fund will support organization “The Door” to diversify and enhance the services of the “Eco-social Farm” established in the Oblikë village, Ana e Malit commune.

A significant number of foreign tourists – bikers and camper usersdriving along the national road, visit this area which offers many natural and cultural attractions.

But agro tourism services in the area are few and the Eco-social Farm offers a good alternative due to the favorable location and competitive prices.

Through this initiative, the organization will train and involve 22 people with disabilities, member of the musical band, who will perform during cultural activities to be organized at the Eco-social Farm such as Popular Games Fest, Social Theater, etc.

The organization will expand the services of Eco-social Farm hiring 2 employees at risk of social exclusion in the provision of camping services for about 170 foreign tourists and 1,000 domestic tourists along one year period. In addition to the accommodation inside the Farm, an infrastructure for accommodation in tends will be built, hiking trails will be cleaned and signaled, and other services will be offered such as “Family grill”, volunteer guides to the attractive places around the Farm, bicycle rides etc. The initiative will support local farmers and revitalize local traditional products.

The promotion of the Eco-social Farm and its services is expected to increase the number of tourists who will visit the area in the upcoming years.