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Municipality ProďŹ le M I R D I T A / A L B A N I A

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Address: Rr-. Zenel Baboci, P. 37/1, Sh.2 Ap.20 Tirana, Albania Tel/Fax: +355 4 222 9077 Website: www.cangoalbania.org email: Info@cangoalbania.org P.O Box 7451 Design: Photo: Gjergj Marku Printed: Emal Edi on: 250 Kopje

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

MUNICIPALITY PROFILE Rreshen was proclaimed municipality by decision no. 508 The decision reads: By proposal of Rreshen Commune and of the Mirdita district members of Parliament, the Council of Ministers ruled: 1. The Rreshen Commune is named Rreshen Municipality. 2. The number of staﬀ remains the same as today. This decision comes into force at once. Head of the Council of Ministers Aleksander Meksi The decision was sent to the Rrëshen Commune and to the Mirdita District Council Management

This publica on was supported by CANGO, with funds from CAFOD UK (Catholic Agency of England and Wales for Overseas Development).

• Acknowledgment

he Centre for collabora on between Communi es, Authori es and NGOs (CANGO) would like to thank all professionals who were involved in the prepara on of this profile, for their valuable assistance. Without their help and support it would have been impossible to gather the all the necessary informa on for this publica on. We would like to express our gra tude to the representa ves of the Municipality, in par cular to the Mayor Mr. Gjon Dedaj for their frui ul collabora on and for the data gathering. Thanks are also due to our consultants Jim Budds and Artan Rroji from Urban Interna onal Associates (UIA) who led the working group for the dra ing of this Profile, and Lindita Oshafi for her enlightening discussions and feedback, and par cularly for her input, and review of the dra Profile. Finally, the findings of this document are the views of the representa ves of Municipality of Rrëshen and CANGO, and do not necessarily reflect the posi on of CAFOD UK which funded the work for the development and the publica on of this document.

November, 2008

• Contents

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

Foreword........................................................................................................6 Introduc on...................................................................................................7 Geographic loca on...................................................................................... 8 Rrëshen Municipality, a boun ful oasis ..............................................9 History ..............................................................................................11 Climate..............................................................................................13 Natural Resources..............................................................................14 Hydro geography................................................................................15 Demography......................................................................................16 Flora and Forests................................................................................17 Agriculture.........................................................................................18 Livestock breeding..............................................................................19 Local governance................................................................................20 Municipality Budget ..........................................................................21 Public Services....................................................................................25 Employment .....................................................................................31 The quality of life and the urban development ................................32 Main Municipal Ins tu ons ..............................................................33 Banks ................................................................................................35 Local NGOs and Donors......................................................................35 Informa on........................................................................................36

• Foreword

Gjon DEDAJ Head of Rrëshen Municipality

This document has been made possible thanks to the kind par cipa on and dedica on of many people and our gra tude is extended to them all with the hope that the success of this work will inspire them to con nue in our effort to have a more efficient local governance which outcome will be to the benefit of all the community.

Most beloved ci zens! Rrëshen Municipality is strongly commi ed on its primary mission of providing growth and prosperity for the families and communi es that reside in its territory and takes this opportunity to inform about the new ini a ves and developments taking place on the accomplishment of such mission. Faithful to its purpose of service and development and with great considera on for the work done so far and view over the common challenges ahead, Rrëshen Municipality is now pu ng forward the New Strategic Development Plan and Profile. These documents have been made possible a er a one year effort of the local departments, Municipality Council, different specialists from various fields, interest groups and actors, and last but not least with the generous support of CANGO counsellors. This document is a useful instrument in guiding all of the stakeholders and the

actors involved toward the accomplishment of our shared and ambi ous goals of progress, jus ce, and sustained growth. I am confident that herein every reader will be able to find socio psychological, economical, technical and scien fic answers about our present problems and future developments so that the best values and tradi ons are preserved and upheld as well as the paradigms of modern development are embraced to ensure a brighter future for the whole region as an integral part of most civilised na ons. A most deserved thank goes to CANGO donor which involvement was other than an easy task mainly due to lack of data and necessary informa on but we think that the efforts put into this joint endeavour have been well worth the final goal of having a more focused and mission oriented local administra on that will adopt a more responsive and a en ve approach to peoples needs. The booklet presented herein is not just a vision but a challenge and shared dream that will come true through the joint contribu on of all the actors and stakeholders, by strong support at all governing levels and with an all inclusive strategy that will bring together in a strong alliance all the local actors and the local government by leaving aside trivial ambi ons and interests and working as an cohesive organism. Thank You

â€˘ Introduc on

PROFILE RRĂ‹SHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

he community proďŹ le is a document designed to lay out as a whole the sta s cal and most signiďŹ cant features of the community. It has two main func ons: The ďŹ rst func on â€“ is providing to local oďŹƒcials a database on which they would reach their decisions on the right social economical policies to be adopted. It will also serve the purpose of adequate alloca on of local resources in order to yield the greatest beneďŹ ts from the available means. This is really paramount as within a community the ques on â€œWhat should be done?â€? receives varying answers quite o en for lack of adequate informa on and data on which to base the pro or con arguments.

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Second func on â€“ is providing guidance on the right business choices to be taken or business branches most likely to be successful in the local se ng. This proďŹ le will oďŹ€er the private investors the most promising economic ac vi es to be undertaken. The RrĂŤshen Municipality proďŹ le has been designed having these two func ons in mind. We would like to share it with as many people and experts as well as the future genera ons

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LEGEND

I. Geographic loca on

rëshen Municipality having as administra ve centre Rrëshen Town (the site called formerly Fushë-Lumth), with a territorial surface of 14.000 ha is situated: TO THE NORTH: Between the stream of Big and Small Fan TO THE SOUTH: Kulmja e Dervenit, Pragu i Prosekut To the east and south east: Laku i Shkallgjanës, Pragu i Prosekut TO THE WEST: Pragu i Livadhësit, Derven mountain

The Mirdita District is situated in the north-eastern part of Albania, bordered to the north by Puka and Kukës Districts, north east, Kukës and Dibra, south east Mat and west Kurbin and Lezha. The territory is spread over 86 700 ha and populated by some 47 010 inhabitants. Rrëshen Town as part of Mirdita District and Lezha Qark lies at 19o52’45” longitude east and la tude 41o46’15” north. Rrëshen Town is spread over 1 km along north south axis and 0,7 km on east west axis and covers an area of 65 ha lying at 86 m al tude (central town square).

Rreshen Town

II. Rrëshen Municipality, a boun ful oasis of resources PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

irdita is recognised as the geographic gate to Upper Albania were routes from the northern and east northern part converge running through the Mat and Fan river valleys and represents not only the best op ons for Albania but is a natural junc on point for the whole Balkan Peninsula. The motor way under construc on that links the most important industrial area of Albania and Kosova is running for over 80 km through the Mirdita territory and is expected to give great impulse to the social, demographic and economic condi ons in this area. Equally important is the most suitable track that connects Albanian coastal areas with its most important port (Durrës) and the north eastern Albania, namely Diber e Madhe and that naturally would pass through the Rrëshen Town at the Perlat hills going along the Mat River valley through Bulqizë Town and then Dibër e Madhe even further to Shkup (Macedonia

Capital). Other very important artery is the Rrëshen - Lura touris c track that would enliven the local economy by providing great opportuni es for the development of higher inner land and cultural eco-tourism and other sports and recrea on ac vi es related to them of which poten al the Kurbnesh and Lura area is so rich, being no further than 90 km away from the Capital, Tirana. Every and each of these three axes increase the chances for a general development of the Mirdita Region giving access to all the other areas of the country with a realis c prospect for the Rrëshen Municipality to become a centre of rapid developmental growth. Of great interest will also be the connec on of Rrëshen with Ulza through the Ujë-Lurth and villages cons tu ng Baz Commune. Financing of modern vi culture for the produc on of grape and its by products and mainly for the produc on of primary quality wines cons tutes another highly es mated resource as Mirdita has been known for having most adequate climate and soil condi ons beneﬁ ng also from an established irriga on system and its own wine produc on tradi ons. Vi culture ac vity represents the most compe ve produc ve ac vity with

an ever expanding internal as well as interna onal market provided new modern produc on technologies. In Rrëshen Municipality territory there exist an surface of 1900 ha available for vi culture ac vi es while in the whole region the surface goes up to 6000 ha. The mountainous area above the vi culture line could be eﬀec vely used for intensive fruit tree planta ons as well as forestry. The development of ecological agriculture is quite an open op on given the very good condi ons for this ac vity (especially apple). The area is also well known for the “biologically clean” dairy products as the region abound in alpine pastures that provide a good basis for the farming ac vity. The focus would mostly be directed on the breeding of the sheep and goats as the feeding models of the popula on have increased the demand for quality milk by products. Our products have also reached the Kosova market. A most welcome and surprising result has been the doubling of the number of apiculture products revealing not just a quan ta ve growth

II. Rrëshen Municipality, a rich oasis.

Forests, Malthi Summit

Vineyards, Bukmirë

diciture Mineral Researchers

Important capacity of gravel and other materials for construc on industry collected from the rivers are found around the area, the closest one 2 km from Fan Bridge, another just 10 km from the border between Rrëshen and Rubik Towns and 20 km far from the Lezha District border.

but also a high professional level of beekeeping. The amount of honey produced per beehive o en reached as high as 40 kg. An upward tendency is witnessed also in poultry and pig farming These two ac vi es have been one of tradi onal ac vi es of the popula on and offer great opportunity for success. Of great economical benefit for the region would also reveal the forestry and a great mul tude of products that would come from it. The forests cover about ten mes more than the agriculture land available. During the last years, extremely promising growths of forests has been taking place. The forest will improve the ecological situa on of the area and provide a great number of highly appreciated by-products well known for their exhilara ng taste, freshness and great dietary values. Forest could also be used for such ac vi es as hun ng or other recrea on ac vi es. The hydro power capaci es of Great Fan and Li le Fan, Uraka, Zall i Dodajve rivers and many minor streams and tributaries are another of important resources reaching as much as 60 MW/H. On Rivers Fan several hydro power building companies have expressed their interest for construc ng hydro power plants and basins for plants of 20 MW/H capacity. These hydro objects could be used for fishing as well and would regulate the

amount of water running to the valleys below as well as being a factor that would made the climate milder by narrowing the temperature gap in the area.. In Rrëshen Municipality, a considerable number of highly educated specialists are not fully employed and two voca onal schools are func oning in the area. Voca onal courses are available for such occupa ons as plumbing, electric technician, tailoring, mechanic, etc and the working and technical capaci es are largely underused due to lack of job opportuni es in the area. These and other strengths that the future will help evidence even more as a result of progressive u lisa on of the resources, are quite promising for Rrëshen Municipality and Mirdita District. Other natural resources are also the non-metal materials (basalt and volcanic rocks) of villages Gëziq and Fan Bridge that could be used for paving roads and airport runways are found only 3 to 15 km form the city centre. Clay for le and brick produc on is found 1.3 and 4 km from town respec vely in Jezull and Prosek villages. An important copper resource consis ng of some 1.156.000 ton of 0.9% Cu is found in Derven Piro ne with content of chalcopyrite 5-7 % situated in Cekaj

III. History

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

Mirditor cradle

ncient inhabited sites date back to Neolithic era and goes on to more recent periods up to date. From the archaeological discoveries like those of Mat Valley, Bulgër, Malaj, Fushë Papërdhok, Illyrian graves in Perlat Hills and in many other sites of Mirdita territory, as well as ethnologic data, the ancient heritage from the Illyrian popula ons comes to light. The today Mirdita territory and even further around it has been known as the territory of the Illyrian clan of Pirust. This clan is men oned in

Traditional Tower

Mirdita women, Kodër Rrëshen

different documents un l the end of the first century A.D. The Pirusts main ac vity involved mostly livestock breeding but they were also famous for their ability in working iron and copper as well as extrac ng it from the rocks. They were also valued as valiant and tough warriors. Later on, the Mirdita Region was included in the Arbër Principality that is men oned as the first middle age’s state (1190-1216), stretching from Drin River north, to the Shkumbin River south. The founder of this state went by the

Meeting with Pope Benedict XVI

III. History

name of Progoni, and was succeeded by his sons, Gjin and Dhimitër. Ndërfandina (most of which is situated in the today’s Rrëshen Municipality territory) was considered one of the important centres of this Principality. Such story comes to us from the stone inscrip ons found in the St Mary Church in Gëziq. The todays Rrëshen Municipality emblem is a modern replica of the old Arbër Principality Emblem. In the second half of XIV century, with the fall of Arbër Principality, Mirdita territories became part of Dukagjin Principality, which ruled over this territory un l the beginning of XVII century. The Principality territorial domain stretched from the area where two Drins intersect north down to Mat River south. According to Shuﬂai, Mirdita region is recognised by this name by the end of XVI century, while the same Mirdita name is men oned

even earlier. The Mirdita Region as ethnographic unit includes territories stretching from Mountain Col north, down to Bushkash, south, and across the east-west axis it stretches from Selita Plum to Deja Ford. The administra ve centre of Mirdita Region is Rrëshen Town, nominated as such on 25 April 1949. The history of Rrëshen Municipality starts with the opening of the first Albanian School in 1906 situated on Rrëshen Hill and the first 7 grade school in 1947, the construc on of this school was followed by the building of the School Dormitory in 1952, the first secondary school was opened in 1960 with a total of 21 students of which only 2 girls. The later stages of development come in this (succession) chronological order, the Culture Palace, Town Cinema Hall, Town Hospital, Football Stadium, Sports Hall “Arjana Arapi”, the Town Cathedral, Voca onal Centre (St Joseph, the Worker). The construc on of the MilotRrëshen railway in 1989 gave a great impetus to town development. Unfortunately, the railway stayed in opera on only for 10 years, but the construc on of the motorway, underway currently, linking Durrës with Prish na cu ng through Mirdita and Rrëshen territory, is a development that has raised the expecta on of the inhabitants for a brighter perspec ve for the region.

IV. Climate

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA Springtime in Ndërfushas

rom the clima c point of view the Rrëshen Municipality is situated in the Mediterranean hilly zone characterised by a mild and humid winter and hot dry summer season. As regards the temperatures, due to the relief composi on marked amplitudes between winter and summer temperatures are present. The annual precipita on in the region is as high as 180 mm taking place in 120 or 125 days year round. The months with the highest level of precipita ons are December, January, and February with 162 mm to 191 mm. The average snow layer in heights above 1000 m varies between 30 to 150 cm. In the Rrëshen lowland, the average precipita on measured over a number of years is higher than the rest of

Wintertime in Rrëshen

the region and much higher than the country average. This phenomenon is caused from the damp air masses moving along the Fan River valley and condensing against the higher mountainous areas of Deja and Kunora (local dialect = crown) The atmospheric pressure is on average 1016 milibar while the annual average temperature is 13.3 C with the lowest in winter 4.4 0C and 24.5 0C during summer me. The historic maximum and minimum temperatures registered are respec vely -14 C and 40.5 0C. The blooming starts with April and by end of October starts the exfolia on period, thus the vegeta on period lasts more than 200 days.

Source: Meteorological Sta on Rrëshen.

V. Natural Resources

Geological Composi on

he Mirdita Region is stretching en rely in the volcanic zone called “MIRDITA”. The geological composi on of the Mirdita territory is mainly magma eﬀusive but in Northern part, North-eastern side and South are found tablelands and mountainous ridges of carbon sedimentary. The territory where the Municipality of Rrëshen is situated is made of long deposited former lake residue (molasses), while the periphery consists of eﬀusive magma forma ons especially typical for South and Southwestern and Western areas.

rimarily the Mirdita territory is a mountainous territory with the average al tude of 557 m above sea level. Although at first considera on this height should seem to suit and depict a rather hilly terrain in fact this figure is the effect of a canyon-like terrain formed by steep and immediate altera on of low riverbeds running across the region and mountain ridges rising in very abrupt slopes. Ndërfana Depression (Rrëshen) the place where Rrëshen Town is situated originated from a lake. The depression lies at 150 – 200 m above sea level. The territory

is in general irregular due to geological composi on and the eﬀect of hydrographs that has contributed on the distor on of the depression uniformity and has given rise to a number if hills. In the periphery of Rrëshen Municipality there are heights like that of Derven standing 817 m high and Livadhës 786 m high that represent a natural barrier dividing it with the Kalivac Depression and Shkopet Gorge and signs the administra ve boundary with the Lezha, and Ma Districts and other administra ve units of Mirdita Region.

VI. Hydro geography

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

irdita is crossed by 4 rela vely big river arteries such as Joint Fan, Big Fan, Small Fan and Uraka, all of which tributaries of Mat River. Big Fan is 60 km long and with a river basin of 415 km2 and steepness 23 m/km and an average flow of 15.5 m2/sec. Through the Rrëshen municipality territory run the Li le and Big Fan rivers as well as Big and Small Zmeja, tributaries of the first one which together with a number of other streams flow into it. Big Zmeja runs along 18 km while Li le

Zmeja length does not exceed 12 km. This prolific number of water flows and streams ending up at bigger river arteries cut across the Rrëshen Depression 7-8 km/ km2. Big and Small Fan could be navigated by kayak while the Big Fan hold considerable quan ty of water to be used for electricity produc on. The rivers are suitable for the development of fishing and various aqua c ac vi es. In the Municipality territory, there are 5 water reservoirs with a capacity of 4.2 million m3 and an irriga on capacity of 800 ha.

VII. Demography

Popula on Rrëshen Municipality is the administra ve centre of some 14.262 people, of which 7.117 male and 7.095 female. The majority of popula on falls within the 15 to 45 age group. The over 65 cons tute the minority age group with some 1022 persons of which 540 female and 482 male.

The trend of the popula on growth is stabilised in years at around 8000 inhabitants although it has to be stressed that the emigra on abroad is marking the demographic developments of the area. On the other hand the moving in of newcomers from the surrounding mountainous areas is counterbalancing for the people who leave the place. About 99% of the popula on in the Mirdita District is autochthonous. Some 98% of the popula on belong to Roman Catholic Church and the Cult Objects have been constructed and reconstructed anew a er the prohibi on of religious ceremonies and ins tu ons in 1967. In the Municipality there exists an automated system of data on popula on and provision of services.

• The number of inhabitants and families in Rrëshen Municipality

departures arrivals

Source: Registry Oﬃce – Rrëshen Municipality

VIII. Flora and Forests

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

irdita is known for its various flora thanks to the diversity of relief and climate composi on. The diversity starts with the Mediterranean evergreen bushes and as you move up you get different types of vegeta on to the top alpine pastures. The Ndërfana Depression where the Rrëshen town is situated lies in the Mediterranean evergreen bushes and oak belt. The clima c features and the loca on of the Rrëshen Town offer adequate condi ons for the cul va on of all sorts of agriculture and crops such as: vegetables, cereals, as well as all kind of fruit tree and vi culture. In this territory are found three vegeta ve belts star ng with the lowest Mediterranean evergreen bushes to the upper oak and other deciduous tree zone and up s ll to the coniferous zone. The endemic plant growing in this area is boshtra. Alongside natural flora there are a long list of cul vated plants like cereals, various vegetables, fruit trees, and different vi culture of na ve local type as well as some acclima sed foreign varie es. From the geological cons tu on point of view the Rrëshen territory stretches over the magma geological zone named “Mirdita”. The predominant

geological cons tu on of this territory consists of effusive magma rocks (ultra-basic sedimentary). Marked differences are found in the type of agriculture land due to variety of combina ons of morphological factors, morphogene c and morpho clima c. In this area are present four ver cal belts: in the 0 to 600 m belt grey soil is predominant, the 600 – 800 m belt are mostly made of brown land and at a smaller amount dark grey land woodland soil. Since June 2008, Rrëshen Municipality manages a general forest surface of 5549 ha of which: 206 ha trunk 206 ha, stumpy field 5116 ha and shrubs 227 ha. 1. Bungaj 2.Fushë Lumth 3. Kodër Rrëshen 4. Kulmë 5. Malaj 6. Ndërfana 7. Ndërfushaz 8. Sheshaj 9. Tarazh 10.Tene 11.Lurth

204 ha 971 ha 633 ha 433 ha 427 ha 372 ha 394 ha 732 ha 198 ha 658 ha 527 ha

In general these forests are 10 - 20 years old but are also woodland areas with 45 – 50 year old trees that are used as fire-wood. The total mber volume goes up to 248316 m3, of which about 90 per cent is usable as firewood. This abundant wealth of wood material provides hea ng for the households as well as different ins tu ons such as kindergartens, schools etc. In ten-year me these forests could be adequate for providing high quality hardwood and mber. They provide a good source of food for goats and sheep for the local livestock breeding. Several projects have been ac ve in improving the management and the quality of these woodland surfaces, of which most important are financed and assisted by World Bank, PZHBN. Another resource for increasing the local income are the unused and abandoned agriculture land that amount to 640 ha which could become efficient by plan ng fruit trees or other oleaginous cultures. Boshtra is the endemic plant growing in this area. Forest land is also rich in a considerable number and amount of plants known for health beneficiary effects such as thyme, ne le, herbs flower, red juniper, heather trees, etc. The annual collec on capacity is es mated to be 15-20 ton providing an income of 20 million ALL.

IX. Agriculture

irdita has a variety of soil types due to morphologic, morphogene c and morpho-clima c factors. In Mirdita in height belt 0 – 600 m the grey, brown grey and brown soils are the predominant types of land and a slope of 20 to 30 per cent and of a thin layer. They are poor in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P2O5) and average in humus and potassium (K2O). The acidity level of the soil varies from 4.5 to 6 pH. The physical forma on qualiﬁes these lands as clay type soil. In heights 600 – 1000 m are predominantly abundant in brown soils. In the height band 1000 to 1600 m are mainly found dark brown soils and above 1600 m stretch the alpine pasture soil. The great variability of relief and climate causes at mes and in par cular areas an inversion of ﬂora and soil types.

Springtime tillage, Tarazh

• Kind and number of fruit tree (es mated Produc vity)

• Data on agriculture land

Structure and produc vity in agriculture ac vity

Another source of income are 640 ha abandoned lands that may be planted with fruit-trees etc.

X. Livestock breeding

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

he current trends of the area in livestock farming are following the tradi on of goat, sheep and pig breeding. The apiculture has as well done well during the last years. These economical sectors are expected to be the region’s answer to global compe veness. To this end the number of livestock has been doubled. The dairy and meat products are biologically clean and are most sought a er by the internal as well as regional market. The pasturing resources of the municipality and surrounding heights are of such quality and abundance as to make possible the produc on of qualita ve and cost compe ve dairy by products.

• Livestock structure by village

• Average stock-breeding produc on

Source : Agriculture Directorate

Tourism Maintenance Service

Sport Community Services Human Resources

Relations with Abroad

Taxes and Tariffs

Internal Services

EducationPreschool

Municipality Police Town-Planning

Finance

Social Services Economic Aid

Culture

EducationCulture Department Department of Development Policies

Registry Ofﬁce

Secretary General

Internal Audit

Economic Department

Department of Utilities

Deputy Mayor

Secretary

TOWN COUNCIL

MAYOR

irdita District is within the jurisdic on of the Lezha Prefecture, altogether with Kurbin and Lezha Districts. Mirdita comprises in its own jurisdic on seven administra ve units: Rrëshen Municipality, Rubik Municipality, and Communes Kthellë, Selitë, Orosh, Fanë, Kaçinar. The Municipality Council consists of 17 members that represent poli cal forces that take oﬃce through democra c elec ons. The Head and Vice/Head of Municipality Council are elected by the Council itself.

Construction Inspectoriate

XI. Local governance

XII. Municipality Budget

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

• Funds allocated by source and year (in ALL)

179.378

Central funds

Local funds

Local Funds (taxes, tariﬀs)

• Local Income by type of taxes or fees collected: In 000/ALLe

XII. Municipality Budget

In 2008 was introduced for the ﬁrst me the green tax and vehicle parking tax Revenues from taxes/tariﬀs 2003-2007

• The number of businesses exercising their ac vity in the Rrëshen Municipality territory during 2003-2007 has increased from: 180 physical legal en ty in year 2003, to some 260 in 2007. Juridical en es from 14 in 2003, to 21 in 2007.

Source : Tax Oﬃce of Rrëshen Municipality

XII. Municipality Budget

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

• The level of local taxes has been altered up to 30 per cent 1. Tax on environment impact 2. Public space using tax 3. Dwelling tax 4. Hotel tax

( from 1-3 % to 1 %) (from 60 ALL/m2 to 42 ALL/m2) ( from 5 e 6 ALL/m2 to 4 ALL m2) (from 5 % to 4 %)

Source: Tax Sector –Rreshen Municipality

XII. Municipality Budget

• Expenditures by diﬀerent categories Investments by year 140000 120000 100000 80000

Paga

60000

Sig S hoq. Shpenz Oper

40000 20000 0

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Source: Oﬃce of Taxes-Tariﬀs, Rreshen Municipality

Grant A Investments Grant B Investments Revenue investments

XIII. Public Services

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

a. Telephone Service Telephone service is currently oﬀered through digi sed system with suﬃcient capacity for covering the present local requests with more free capacity for responding to new demand for such service. The net func ons for the town and the surrounding villages. Other services linked to the phone service such as internet is now opera ng in the area but soon internet will be using ADSL system providing a variety and adequate internet services for the area. In addi on to ini al mobile phone service coming through AMC and Vodafon Companies the third operator will be soon opera ng not just

for the Rrëshen Municipality but in the whole district territory. The telephone system provides a high quality service and is able to cover the new needs that brings the town extension Cabin phone service is also opera ve in the town beside other type of phone service. While the introduc on of most up – to - date technology that will be arriving soon with the comple on of the new motor way for sure will be exercising a strong impact in the need for modern technology.

b. The electric power supply Mirdita District demand for electric power is covered by Ulza and Fierza Hydro Power Plants and distributed through 5 electric sta ons: Rubik 110/35/6kv, Rrëshen 35/10kw, Kurbnesh 35/10kw, Reps 110/6kw, Kaçinar 35/10kw. The distribu on of electric power is managed by Mirdita Electric Branch of KESH (Albanian Electric Energy Corpora on). The Town Ligh ng is the responsibility of Rrëshen Municipality.

• Electric power prices in ALL for kv/h without VAT

The electric power used for common environments and purposes in a building is priced 7 ALL per kv/h, while for private users up to a consump on of 300 kw the price remains 7 ALL and over 300 kw the price is 12 ALL per kw. Source: Electric supply oﬃce Mirditë, OSSH

XIII. Public Services

Water-supply depot

The present water supply for the Town and the surrounding areas is provided through a Water Supply Sta on through two parallel pipelines with a capacity of 60 l/sec.

c. Water Supply Service Water supply is managed by Water Supply and Disposal Company owned by three local administra ve unit co owners, namely Rrëshen Municipality and Selita and Orosh Communes. The inclusion of the new Bargjana water resource increases the total capacity and would cover with its services Communes Fan and Kthella. The reservoir capacity is 1000 m3 and a new reservoir of 500 m3 is added to the former one. With the opening of the Bargjana pipeline the water will come to the town by free ﬂowing due to higher level of the water reservoir thus reducing the costs of the service for the public economy. The pumping sta on will be kept opera onal for

emergency cases. For the me being the town is supplied with water 13.5 hours a day and the comple on of the second phase of the project and the construc on of the new distribu on pipeline and system will make possible the supply with water for the individual houses all day round. The waste water disposal system is opera onal as well in the town.

• Fee for water supply service Customers Families Public ins tu on Private users

Price 45 ALL/m3 80 ALL/m3 100 ALL/m3

Source: Water Supply Enterprise Mirditë

• Road and sewerage system inventory d. The Road and Sewerage maintenance service The local road and sewerage system is maintained and run by the Water Supply and Sewerage Enterprise. The sewerage system consists of 5300 m pipeline of diﬀerent diameter (circumference) varying from Ø 200 to 500. At present it has been designed the technical project of general rehabilita on of the whole grid in order to met the modern hygiene and sanita on criteria.

Burimi: Bashkia dhe Dega e Ta m Takasave

e. Garbage disposal service The removal of the garbage is assigned to private enterprises. The total fund allocated to this purpose reaches 6 278 872 ALL. Some 44 470 m2 pavements and roads are cleaned and disposed of the garbage and waste materials daily. About 4380 tons of waste materials are removed annually collected mainly in 35 garbage collec on spots placed throughout the town from the Fan Bridge to The Former Construc on Administra on Enterprise.

The improvement of the cleaning service cons tutes a major priority considering only 62 per cent of paved roads are cleaned and a mere 26 per cent of the paved surfaces are washed.

XIII. Public Services

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

f. Public Green Spaces Service The Rrëshen Town has improved visibly in the green space maintenance service from year to year. At present there are 19.026 m2 of green spaces that makes 2,378 m2 per inhabitant as compared to 1.87 in 2007. For the 2010 the objec ve is to have 24000 m2 of green spaces or 3 m2 per inhabitant. In the whole green space inventory are included 52 parks, 2248 m hedges,

1468 trees and decora ve bushes of deciduous and coniferous type. In the structure itself there are planted some 60 trees and decora ve bushes. Total park surface: 1500 m2, Total lawn surface: 1500 m2, Total hedge surface: 2312 m2.

g. EDUCATION Educa onal ins tu ons in Rrëshen Municipality consist of eleven (11) 9-year public schools, 1 comprehensive secondary school and 1 voca onal centre. Some 1578 pupils a end the 9-year schools while the secondary school enrolments reach as many as 813 students. Some 90 trainees a end courses in the voca onal centre. There are 9 kindergartens with in total 26 educators oﬀering service for 308 children. A nursery home is providing daily care for 41 young children. The District Educa on Directory is responsible for the well func oning of the educa on system in the district while the local government looks a er the maintenance and good condi on of the school premises.

Rrëshen High School

XIII. Public Services

Rrëshen High School

Currently the concentra on of educa onal ins tu ons in the Rrëshen Town and the preference for a ending town schools rather than the schools in villages has placed quite a strain on the educa onal system in Rrëshen Town. Therefore, it has become indispensable to think of an eﬃcient way for tackling this situa on. For the me being the answer to this situa on is the grouping of schools and plans are designed about the rearrangement of secondary school and dormitory.

• STATISTICAL SCHOOLING DATA 2007-2008

XIV. Public Services

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

h. Health service The Directory of Public Health in Mirdita is responsible for the good opera on of four main types of public health service, namely: Hospital service, Public Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ambulant Service and Policlinic Service. In Rrëshen Town is opera ng a local hospital oﬀering mainly basic services not only for the town but for the whole region. The hospital service is organised in three units: emergency unit, pathology, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatric unit. It is worth men oning the establishment of partnership with humanitarian associa ons and

other hospitals in the EU in order to improve the service provided through the improvement of diagnos c and therapeu c capaci es. A very important assistance in equipment and staﬀ training has arrived from the Italian Caritas “Avelino per il Mondo”. The same organisa on has been implemen ng very important projects for the women’s and reproduc on health involving tests and vaccina on against uterus cancer.

• Data on Rrëshen Hospital

Source: Public Health Directory - Rrëshen

XIV. Public Services

J. TRANSPORT The internal road net The geographic loca on of Rrëshen Town makes it a very important junc on point for the land roads linking northnortheast areas with the rest of Albania and the Capital City, Tirana. The city lies in a surface of 15,000 m2 and avails of a road net of 5.3 km for the urban transport. The road connec on with Capital comes through the na onal road net that run for 113 km through the District territory. The total rural road net in the District is 207 km. The Mirdita District and Rrëshen Town are a nodal point of the na onal road net and through its territory is now under construc on the Durrës Prish na motor way which in not a distant future will be opened to internal and foreigner transport. It will certainly transform the shape of the Town and impact the way of life in the Region.

•Distance from the Rrëshen Town centre of the Municipality villages.

Source: Rrëshen Municipality

• Data on type and number of vehicles in Rrëshen Town

Source: Rrëshen Municipality

XIV. Employment

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

Source: Sta s cs Directory – Mirdita Districts

•Data on Labour Market Rrëshen Municipality.

Source: Source: Sta s cs Directory – Mirdita Districts

•Employment by posi on Mirdita District-year 2007

Source: Sta s cs Directory – Mirdita Districts.

XV. The quality of life and the urban development

he analysis of the progress made during the years of transi on gives us reason to be op mis c as regards the quality of life and due to this trend the popula on in the area has remained stable at 8 thousand inhabitants with a balanced influx and ou low and with a tendency toward growth. There are no abandoned houses or empty apartments in the town or the surrounding villages and new houses are being build in the town as well as surrounding rural area. Although there were no new construc on in the town in the ini al ten years of transi on, during the last years have been finished two 9storey buildings and another is under construc on. Requests for new high buildings are submi ed for approval. In the area surrounding the Town there have been established en re neighbourhoods consis ng of new 2 to 3-storey villas recently build. The town mosaic consists mainly of not very a rac ve brick and prefabricated buildings, constructed during the 45- 90 communist regime. This may require a consistent maintenance ac on from the local administra on in order to fit the old heritage with the new architecture. The town has a number of business centres, cultural centres and social administra ve ins tu ons.

The urban lay out of the Town Rrëshen is being designed with the assistance of a well-known Spanish Organisa on, APRODEL, in order to modernise the urban structure and exterior looks of the town. A number of commissions have been set up for defining the op mal solu on that respects the heritage and makes adequate room for the perspec ve development. This would involve the defini on of loca on of different areas such as residen al sites, trade and industrial zones, villa area as well as green areas; how these components should be architecturally and func onally harmonised, the resources needed and possible donors, what interven on is adequate in order to discipline the illegal construc ons and upgrade the old buildings, etc. A very important part of the plan would be the domes ca on of the rivers Big Fan, Small Fan and Zmea, or the Kulme and Jakaj Streams in order that they interlink with the whole landscape and func oning of the environment. The elabora on of the Town Urban Plan and its managing will require me and financial involvement of many actors such as municipality through the public local fund, external donors and local and private stakeholders.

XVI. Main Municipal Ins tu ons

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA Hostorical Museum Town Library The Historical Museum

THE PALACE OF CULTURE “MIRDITA” The Palace of Culture “Mirdita” was opened in 1970 and has a main hall of 400 seats. The Palace architecture is modern and harmonised with the rest of the other buildings around the Town square. This building is the residence of the well known “Mirdita” folklore ensemble that carries on the rich ar s c and cultural tradi ons of the region. LIBRARY Within the Palace of Culture is found the Town Library with about 70000 tles and a considerable number of precious volumes. In the recent years about 100 new studies, anthology, novel, poetry and monographic tles from Mirdita authors has been entering the library fund. Another environment inside this building is sheltering the Cultural Centre for Children run by the Educa on Oﬃce, that have managed to set up a group of new talents that would be the worthy successors of the Mirdita Ensemble and that have already been honoured with various na onal and interna onal awards.

HISTORY MUSEUM The museum was built in 1974 and evokes the age long history of Mirdita region. In its stalls are exposed the historical account of the region and its mul ple values, from the me of the famous Pirust Klan, masters of metal processing, up to the recent days. The object of primary value is the statue of Arbër a clear evidence of the Illyrian ancestry of this region history and tradi on, but here you may find as well many other ethnographic traces of the popula on inhabi ng the area. CINEMA HALL “26 OCTOBER” The Town cinema hall was opened in 1972 with a capacity of 120 seats. It has played a central role in the ci zenship edifica on of the popula on. Its reconstruc on in 2001 has placed it among the best cinema halls in the country. It is also hos ng different cultural and ar s c ac vi es.

XVII. Main Municipal Ins tu ons

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS Rrëshen Town is the residence of the Diocese that includes the Districts of Mirdita, Mat, Bulqiza and Peshkopi. In the Diocese territory, develop their ac vity Vincen a Missionaries. The Catholic Church cooperates with local government administra on, educa onal and cultural ins tu ons for maintaining social harmony and increase the solidarity among people living in the area. The religious service is held in three main religious ediﬁces: Catholic Church, Catholic Cathedral and The Daughters of Love” Church.

THE “ARJANA ARAPI” SPORTS PALACE The Palace was first opened in 1985 with a capacity of 800 seats. The female “Minatory” (Miner) Volleyball team represen ng the town in the highest na onal level compe on plays its matches in this facility. The Town team has been created in 1976 and to this date has been dignifiedly represen ng Mirdita at the highest na onal sport levels. The palace has been hos ng such main na onal ac vi es as the Final stages of Cup Of Republic. FOOTBALL STADIUM The stadium was opened for ac vi es in 1987 and has a capacity of 1500 seats. The town team develops its ac vi es in this stadium but it also serves to younger age group teams. The stadium is equipped with annex pitches where training sessions of different age group teams take place.

XIV. Banks

XIV. OJF lokale dhe Donatore

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

n Rrëshen Municipality there are opera ng three important banks providing banking services for the local inhabitants. By the services offered, they have been very important for the development and growth of the local businesses. The banks are Raiffeisen Bank, Banka Popullore (People’s Bank) and Na onal Trade Bank. Other ﬁnancing operators for the local economies are The Mountainous Zone Development Fund, a non-banking ﬁnancial ins tu on and World Vision as well as a number of other associa ons and founda ons.

NGO S DEVELOPING THEIR ACTIVITIES IN RRESHEN TOWN Catholic Associa on “Abat Doçi”. Youth Ecological Club. Dispute Resolu on Founda on. Blood Donors Associa on. Associa on “For Democra c Culture”. Poli cal Persecuted Associa on. Red Cross Associa on. Poli cal Persecuted Associa on. Work Disabled Associa on. Hunters’ Associa on. Blind People Associa on. Doctors’ Associa on. Orphans’ Associa on. Cultural Associa on Austria-Mirdita. Associa on of Na onal War Warriors. Irriga on Water Associa on (IFAD). Poli cal Persecuted Associa on. Women for progress Journalists’ Associa on Mountainous Areas Development Forum Net“Women’s New Vision” Rrje “Gruaja, Vizioni i ri”

DONORS CONTRIBUTING FOR RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY IN YEARS V.N.G/KOMPAS – Holland CARE INTERNATIONAL UNHCR AUSTRIAN- ALBANIA Associa on (Marjanne Graf): World Islamic Bank I. O. M. Soros Founda on Peace Corps Austrian Caritas (Father Winsauer)

Municipality OBDAM Holland Albanian Development Fund IFAD MADA AMC Tirana European University REC GTZ Renovabis Switzerland-Germany CAFOD UK (CANGO)

Source: Informa on Oﬃce – Rrëshen Municipality

V. Informa on

Government Ins tu ons. Rrëshen Municipality tel: (0)216 22233 Prefecture Administra on tel: (0)216 22320 Public order and Jus ce Ins tu ons. Secretary District Court tel: (0)216 22328 Secretary Prosecutor tel: (0)216 22707 Police Sta on tel: (0)216 22350

Local Central Government Directories: Educa on Office Public Health Directory Medics Emergency Agriculture Office Labour Office Rural Roads Directory Forestry service Directory

tel: (0)216 22221 tel: (0)216 22390 tel: (0)216 22457 tel: (0)216 23120 tel: (0)216 22557 tel: (0)216 22385 tel: (0)216 22502 tel: (0)216 22294

Central Government Branches Budget Branch Treasury Branch Tax Service Office Mirditë Sta s cs Branch District Archive Office Mobiliza on Office Private Property Registra on Office

tel: (0)216 22473 tel: (0)216 22396 tel: (0)216 22501 tel: (0)216 22522 tel: (0)216 22417 tel: (0)216 22241 tel: (0)216 22780

Local Government Directories: Water Supply, Road and Sewerage Enterprise tel: (0)216 22407 Culture palace “Mirdita” and Town Library tel: (0)216 22644

Ins tucione shtetërore jobuxhetore: Local Post Oﬃce AlbTeALLomit Branch Social Insurance Branch Insurance Ins tute (I.N.S.I.G) Local red Cross Oﬃce

tel: (0)216 22470 tel: (0)216 22250 tel: (0)216 22374 tel: (0)216 22511 tel: (0)216 22805

XIV. Informa on

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

Webmaster: Aleksandër Ndoja

or more than one year, you can navigate the Rrëshen Town webpage. It was first introduced in the long list of web pages in 2007. It contains much informa on on different topics concerning the Town and has been visited by many local as well foreign navigators. It is an opened window for many emigrants living abroad that want to stay in touch with the region’s developments. It was designed to contain informa on useful to the local inhabitant, and has markedly increased the transparency of the local governance affairs. For example, you may find in this page the whole list of taxpayers, the list of social assistance beneficiaries, informa on on the Civil Service Office, Municipality Police, or other Municipality departments. In it are included all the Orders issued by the Head of the Municipality, Decisions of the Council of

the Territory Adjus ng, informa on on job vacancies, informa on on tenders and to whom it has been awarded, the progress of the public projects. Through the informa on found in this webpage every person may ﬁnd quite extended informa on about what is taking place in the Rrëshen Municipality but also on the surrounding rural area. The informa on is updated daily and detailed informa on is included on the ac vity of the highest local authori es, special cultural, social and sports events. Beside the administra ve informa on, the team looking a er the website maintenance has included other rubrics presen ng most signiﬁcant historical moments and other tradi onal features of the region as well as touris c sites to visit and other useful informa on to local people and visitors who would come to visit.

38 RRESHEN MUNICIPALITY

Turistic Sites

Border Customs

Main Cities

V.Informa on

XXIII. Informa on

PROFILE RRËSHEN MUNICIPALITY MIRDITA / ALBANIA

Mayor: tel.0216 22233 kryetari@bashkiarreshen.com Town Council tel:0216 22694 keshilli@bashkiarreshen.com Deputy Mayor tel:0216 22258 n_kryetari@bashkiarreshen.com Secretary General s_pergjithshem@bashkiarreshen.com Department of Economy tel: 0216 22367 ﬁnanca@bashkiarreshen.com Department of U li es tel: 0216 22373 d_sherbimeve@bashkiarreshen.com Department of Culture Tel: 0216 22594 kultura@bashkiarreshen.com Town-Planning Oﬃce tel: 0216 22436

Office of Taxes and Tariffs tel: 0216 22324 Office of Rela ons with Abroad tel: 0216 23264 Legal Office tel: 0216 23265 “Midita” Palace of Culture tel: 021623381 mirdita_kult@bashkiarreshen.com Town Library tel: 0216 22644 Hostorical Museum muzeu@bashkiarreshen.com Nursery School tel: 0216 22688 Dormitory tel: 0216 22679 Rreshen School tel: 0216 22655 Kindergarten tel: 0216 22479

CANGO Adresa: Rr. Zenel Baboci, Pall. 37/1, Sh.2 Ap.20 Tirane, Shqiperi Tel: +355 4 222 9077 www.cangoalbania.org email: Info@cangoalbania.org P.O. Box. 7451

PROFILE RrĂŤshen Municipality MIRDITA /ALBANIA www.bashkiarreshen.com kryetari@bashkiarreshen.com tel & fax: 0216 22233