Chief of Velipoja Commune Message The Commune of Velipoja is one of the five pilot communes chosen by the Albanian Development Fund for drafting the Local Development Plan, in the framework of local government capacity building under the Second Community Works project financed by World Bank. The Regional Development Strategy of Shkoder Qark, Decision no.682, dated 2.11.2005 of the Council of Ministers enouncing Buna river and the boggy ground territories around it as ”a water/ground barred landscape”, as well as highlighting its favorable geographical position, beauty and numerous natural resources, these in my opinion will be favorable and encouraging factors in the Implementation of the Local Development of Velipoja Commune. The Local Development Plan will give a new impulse to the social and economical growth of the commune. Accomplishment of the strategic goals defined in the priority areas will enhance the community welfare, faith of the business community in the stability and standing of their investments, inhabitants’ collaboration with local administration as well as make possible a better local governance for the commune and even beyond our boundaries. The accomplishment of the Local Development Plan, which lasted 6 months, would not have been possible without the support of the Commune Council, Commune Administration, village chiefs and the community’s participation at large. The Local Development Planning Group, which consisted of 20 members as well as the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Group, 9 members, contributed many hours of their free time to draw up this plan. In the Village Vision Festivals organized in the commune villages 250 citizens participated to provide invaluable feedback and input regarding the strategic goals of the priority areas and commune’s vision. The citizen survey (with 200 families of the commune villages randomly selected) on the commune’s service delivery performance elicited important data that was utilized for drafting the Local Development Plan of Velipoje Commune. Finally, I state that the drafted Local Development Plan, is a qualitative and ambitious plan which will serve for the future of Velipoja Commune and will be a compass for the commune staff.

Dedë KAÇI

Chief of Velipojë Commune

Acknowledgments This plan would not have been possible without the contribution and dedication of the Commune Council and the following members of our community: Commune Council Muhamet Keçi, Françesk Çeraj, Anton Marku, Luigj Dashi, Zef Ndoci, Gac Prroni, Demush Maleci, Dedë Lami, Lukë Tereze Vukcaj, Nush Marku, Gjovalin Zeka, Agostin Martini, Mark Gjergji, Ramazan Ujka.

Local Development Plan Group (LDP Group)

Chair of LDP Group (elected by LDP group) – Dedë Kaçi, Chief of Commune Commune Council members– Gjovalin Zeka, Gac Prroni Commune staff members– Kanto Gjoka, Gegë Përgjecaj, Zybe Dhima, Gjovalin Bregna, Nard Fsharri, Marash Keçi Community representatives– Lekë Marku, Rrok Frani, Prek Marku, Pjetër Ujka, Leze Hoxhaj, Fili Kërcunga, Nik Dajti, Lek Simoni, Frrok Çera, Prel Miri, Tomë Shyti. Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation( PME)

Chair of PME Group– Muhamet Keçi Commune staff members– Agim Hoxhaj, Rikard Malaj, Lekë Blinishi, Community representatives – Fran Lisi, Marsh Bari, Marash Frani, Sandër Viluni, Zekë Deda The Local Development Plan was also made possible by the generous cooperation with the Albanian Development Fund (ADF). As part of its commitment to increase local government capacity under the auspices of the Second Community Works Project (financed by the World Bank), ADF prepared a methodology and structure for local development planning and selected our commune to be a pilot site for testing the methodology. In this work, ADF engaged the Urban Institute (Washington, DC) and the Urban Research Institute (Tirana) to work with ADF staff in developing the methodology and to oversee its implementation. Additionally, ADF contracted MixTecnic (Tirana) to provide coordination, technical assistance and monitoring of the preparation of the Local Development Plan in Velipoja Commune.

Introduction In 2005 the Commune of Velipoje embarked on the development of a Local Development Plan in order to establish a clear vision for its future—and to set forth a course of action for getting there. The preparation of the Local Development Plan was an open and transparent process. It extensively involved the Council of Commune, Commune staff, and representatives from the Community in creating a long-term development vision, strategic goals and concrete actions to lead Velipoja toward a vibrant, sustainable development and a higher quality of life. Importantly, our plan is aligned with the regional development strategy for the Shkodra region, which incorporates long-term regional objectives up to 2015. These objectives, in turn, aid in the realization of the Albanian Government’s National Strategy for Social and Economic Development (NSSED). Our Local Development Plan, therefore, contributes to the betterment of Albanian society on a whole. Why Should We Do a Local Development Plan?

Local Development Planning is a process which enables the commune of Velipoja and its community to plan, implement and control their future. A Local Development Plan provides information on our commune’s course of actions towards the community development. LDP is a roadmap to be followed by the elected people, commune staff and the community-at-large to follow when shaping our desired future. Local Development Planning is related with thinking, acting and envisioning the strategic actions which ought to be taken in order to achieve the desired goals. A development plan is effective when we understand what we are doing, to whom will it serve and how much does it fulfill community needs. When done properly, local development plan involves input and participation from a broad cross-section of the community and other interested actors. This guarantees that we are harnessing the best resources possible in the planning our future as well as it providing an al-important forum for civic participation, dedication and enhancement of the ownership feeling. The Strategic goals and action steps articulated in the Local Development Plan are not solely the authority of local governance. The Commune neither can do everything itself nor can it address the community needs alone. Hence, in the Local Development Plan circuites the idea that all the community has to give its contribution to achieve a sustainable development. The commitment and community actions, groups as well as of the other interested parties are essential to successfully attain Commune’s Vision, goals and actions being essential in the Local Development Planes. A LDP is only effective when it is rigorously used to plan and design services and projects, identify sources, vacancies and fiscal demands, measure local governance outcomes as well as communicate these outcomes to the community. This is a process and document through which the community can make liable its leaders in order to respond to its needs and priorities. LDP ensures the effective utilization of communes’ specific sources to make possible the achievement of goals. What Is Our Local Development Plan About?

A Common Vision

The Commune of Velipoja in the accomplishment of the Local Development Plan faces many challenges, but has available the natural resources, active work strength, Qark’s and central government’s support. The commune task is to unit all resources and community behind a common vision toward which we can leverage and target our human, natural, financial resources. To accomplish this, our process for LDP process invited counselors and the community to ”design” our future for forthcoming 10-15 years. The outcome of this activity is ”Velipoja Vision”. A Plan for Our Future Our future certainly will be different and we will ensure to be the authors of this change by opposing to the circumstantial situations in determining our future. LDP comprises attainable goals and action steps, for which we are sure to achieve step by step in order to achieve our vision. Four Pillars We aimed at defining an extended network to ensure all development priorities to be included in LDP. This was the reason why we organized LDP in base of the four priority areas:

Economical Development Social Development Infrastructure and Public Services Good Governance

One Community, Many Voices

Velipoje Commune comprises of many voices - men, women, children, elder, businessmen, farmers and so one. It was critical to understand how similar or different were the needs and expectancies of these groups. LDP process encouraged women participation in the advisory groups and all community representatives were invited to take part in drafting this plan. Communication with the Public

Our Local Development Plan is a conversation with the community. We got community’s opinions and data and hope their opinions and the acquired data have been reflected in these pages. We need to induce dialogue and ongoing opinions in order to ensure we are properly influencing our community. The Bigger Picture

Local Development Plan of Velipoje Commune is concerned with long term thinking regarding the Velipoja’s development needs. Nevertheless, we took care of considering even Shkodra Qark’s Regional Development Strategy ensuring to be on the same line with the Millennium Regional and National Development Goals. Thereby Velipoje

Commune Local Development Plan contributes to achieve the goals and national priorities. Who Was Involved in Developing the Local Development Plan

To attain an open and transparent process, to draft Velipoja Commune development plan, it was aimed a large participation through the creation of different advisory groups mainly based on the Community’s participation. Their participation was key to the success of LDP drafting and implementation.

Local Development Plan Group (LDP Group): The LDP Group is responsible for spearheading, providing guidance and advice, and overseeing the development of the LDP. The Velipoja LDP Group is comprised of 20 persons, including, the Chief of Commune and representatives of the Commune Council, commune administration, villages and community-at-large. Priority Area Subcommittees: These groups represent the four pillars (economic development, social development, public infrastructure and services, and good governance) and are responsible for specifying concrete action steps/projects for priority areas and conducting a pre-feasibility analysis of the plan. Consisting largely of members of the LDP Group, the subcommittees utilized outside experts for advice on the development of the action plans.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Group PME Group) The PME Group is charged with working closely with the LDP Group and subcommittees in establishing criteria for evaluating the LDP process, identifying performance measures for strategic goals and action steps, and assessing achievement of outcomes. The PME Group is also in charge of monitoring the LDP’s successful implementation and communicating to the council and citizenry successes and failures. The PME Group consists of 9 commune staff and community members.

Figure 1. The diagram demonstrates the relation among the advisory groups

Third Village Chief, GKN

Second Village Chief, GKN

Fifth Village Chief, GKN

Forth Village Chief, GKN

First Village Chief, GKN

Seventh Village Chief, GKN

Sixth Village Chief, GKN

LDP Subcommittees according to the

priority areas

LDP Group Commune Chief

2-3 Council Members 3-5 Administration

Personnel 3-5 Inhabitants

5-20 Village t ti

Commune Chief Commune Personnel

Commune Council Participatory Monitoring &

Evaluation Group

How Did We Make It Happen? Ten Steps for Creating a Local Development Plan

1. Obtaining commitment: This step ensures local government officials and staff is apprised of project aims and is committed to the project. On June 20, a presentation was made to the Commune Council, who adopted the concept of creating a plan. During this session, the Council also elected 3 members of the Council to become members of the LDP Group.

2. Providing Direction. This step entails orienting and training the members of the LDP and PME Groups in the LDP/PME structure and methodology. The two-day training was held on July 27-28 and involved 27 participants.

3. Getting Started. The LDP and PME Groups held meetings in which they

planned their course of action, and assigned timelines and roles and responsibilities to each member. A communication campaign was launched that included information pamphlets about the project and posters advertising the upcoming Village Vision Festivals.

4. Gathering Information. Before we know where we are going, we have to know where we are. This step allows us to examine the current situation of the commune and produce an in-depth and comprehensive picture of the Commune. From this, we can begin envisioning our future. This phase entailed a lot of work on the part of the LDP Group. For example, members of the LDP Group filled out a 14-page questionnaire on general community characteristics—what are our human and natural resources, commune budget, existing infrastructure and so forth. These data were largely found in commune and regional offices.

Commune staff and village chiefs conducted the “citizen survey” which elicited citizen opinion on a variety of commune services. The survey was done in 10 villages in which 200 families were selected randomly. Finally, a “SWOC” analysis was held with the Commune Council during a regular session of the council. Village Chiefs also participated in this process and contributed greatly to the discussion. The SWOC—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, challenges--allowed elected officials to provide their impressions and thoughts on what goes well in the commune and how priority areas can be improved upon.

5. Village Participation. In addition to obtaining citizen feedback through the citizen survey, the LDP Group organized Village Vision Festivals that sought citizen input through interactive forums that were designed to collect ideas and information to be used in preparing the LDP. Festivals were organized by members of the LDP Group, PME Group and chiefs of villages.

The Vision Festivals took place in 10 villages and were organized in open places, suitable and convenient for participants. In Velipoja commune, the total number of participants was 250, of which 33 participants were women. A considerable number of young people also attended and provided crucial input.

Figure 2: Suggested Set-up for the Village Vision Festival

Ninth station: How can we improve good governance

Sixth Station: How

can we improve upon social

development

Fifth Station:

How can we improve upon economic development

Entrance

Fourth Station: What do I like least about my village/

commune

Third Station: What do I like most about my village/commune

Second Station Who are we? (village asset

mapping)

First Station: LDP presentation

Seventh Station: How can we

improve upon public infrastructure

Eighth: How can we improve upon the

environment

What is your 10-15 year vision for the

commune

6. Compiling Data. This step allows for all information from the community

profile, citizen surveys, Council SWOC analysis, and Village Vision Festivals

to be compiled into an information package for review by the members of LDP and PME Groups. With this information in front of them, the Velipoja LDP Group performed the following work:

a. Crafted a 10-15 year Vision for the Commune b. Elected members to form Priority Area Subcommittees c. Finalized strategic goals for each priority area as proposed by the

Priority Area subcommittees d. Voted on final Vision and Strategic Goals

7. Strategic Priority Area Subcommittee Work. This step involves the in-

depth action planning for each strategic goal per priority area. The Subcommittees were also charged with conducting pre-feasibility analyses to demonstrate that the action steps and projects are concrete, meaningful, and feasible. The four Velipoja subcommittees met over a period of 3 weeks. During this time, the PME Group worked with the Subcommittees in identifying outcome-based performance measures. All this work was then presented to the LDP Group who discussed the individual priority area action plans, the performance measures, and the next steps. The PME Group provided a report on how well the plan development process met the expectations of the LDP Group.

8. You talked, we listened, did we get it right? Community Meeting and

Commune Council Adoption: Once the LDP Group has a good draft of the LDP, we take it back out to the community in order to make sure it is responsive to real community needs. The Village Chiefs in Velipoja have been responsible for this task.

9. Integrate with Budget Process: The intent of the Local Development Plan is

to allow communities to shape and control their destinies. It therefore cannot be separated from the budget development process, as this is when very scarce resources get allocated in response to community needs and desires. In the development of the budget, the commune staff presents concrete choices and trade-offs to the elected officials on how they may best spend the commune’s money. Given the data and citizen input gathered, the LDP presents a convincing picture of what those choices ought to be.

10. Implementation and Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: The LDP

contains a detailed action plan that assigns responsibilities and timeframes. The PME Group is tasked with monitoring the progress made toward achieving the measurable outcomes. Monitoring will be done regularly to

allow the LDP Group, elected officials, and commune staff to make necessary adjustments in a timely fashion. Progress will be reported to the community through a variety of means—local media, Commune Council meetings, and posters.

Figure 3. LDP process structure

Priority Area Social Dev

Local Development Planning Process Situational Analysis: Where are we? SWOT

Strategic Goal 1 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 1 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 1 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 1 Action step Action step Action step

Commune Vision Where do we want to be?

(10-15 yrs)

Budget Development (trade-offs, choices)

(annually)

Pre-Feasibility Pre-Feasibility Pre-Feasibility Pre-Feasibility

Final Local Development Plan Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation

(quarterly reports)

Priority Areas/Strategic Goals/ Action Steps and Projects

How do we get there?

Priority Area Public Infrastructure

Priority Area Economic Dev

Priority Area Good Governance

Strategic Goal 2 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 2 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 2 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 2 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 3 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 3 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 3 Action step Action step Action step

Strategic Goal 3 Action step Action step Action step

What is the Timeframe of the Local Development Plan? The LDP sets forth a short and long-term plan of action. Our vision looks forward to 10-15 years. However, to be realistic and to ensure things get done the way we want them to, we narrowed our scope of action to five years. Each action step presented below contains a deadline for its implementation. Compliance with these deadlines will be monitored by the PME Group. The LDP will be revisited annually by the LDP Group and the Commune Council to assess progress and overall impact. How to Read the Local Development Plan The LDP Publication contains the following sections:

Introduction in which the purpose, participants and methodology is explained

Community Profile that details the current situation of the commune according to objective data collected by the LDP Group that is supplemented by citizen opinions according to a citizen survey conducted in June 2005. Where relevant, data from the Shkodra Regional Strategy was brought in for comparative purposes.

Priority Area Action Plans in which the strategic goals and action steps/projects designed to realize them are set forth with accompanying concrete tasks and deadlines for achievement.

Performance Indicators for each Priority Area Strategic goal will allow us to monitor progress made toward achieving these goals.

Alignment with Shkodra Regional Development Strategy shows Velipoja contributes to wider regional and national development strategies.

Timeline of the Local Development Planning Process in Velipoja Commune

February Velipoja was selected by ADF as one of 5 pilot communes to test new LDP and

PME methodology

17 May ADF presents LDP concept to the

Chief of Commune and Administration

20 June Commune Council votes on moving

forward with developing a LDP

LDP and PME Group receive a two-day training 27 – 28 July

5 – 9 August Village Vision Festivals held in Ças

and Luarzë villages

12 – 16 August Village Vision Festivals held in Mali Kolaj and Velipojë villages

19 – 23 August Village Vision Festivals held in Baks – Rrjoll, Reç – Pulaj, Reç i Ri villages

26 – 29 August Village Vision Festivals held in Pulaj –

Plazh, Baks i Ri villages

5 September Village Vision Festivals held in

Gomsiqe e Re village

August Citizen survey is conducted

September

Data collection for the Commune Profile is completed

SWOC analysis with the Commune Council and village chiefs is held 31 October

8 November

LDP group meets and crafts Commune Vision Statement and

appoints members to priority area subcommittees

11 – 12 November

Priority Area Subcommittees develop strategic goals and concrete action

plans for each goal

14 December

LDP group finalizes the proposed LDP

Commune profile The Commune of Velipoja is an administrative unit of Shkodra Region. It is situated in the northern part of Albania and in the southern part of Shkodra, has a surface of 72,40 km2 and is 25 km from Shkodra city. In the north it is bordered by Dajçi Commune, in the south by the Adriatic Sea, in the east by Lezha prefecture and in the west by the Buna River, which separates it from the Republic of Montenegro. Velipoja Commune is comprised of 10 villages and has a population of 8,270 inhabitants. Velipoja Commune is a relatively new commune as it only became populated after 1960. Nevertheless, historical data indicates that Velipoja has been recognized as a dwelling place since XV century. The existence of cemeteries (conic shape and made by stones) found in the Luarzi Mountains and in the Black Peak, church ruins in the riverside of Buna, and other archeological findings verify this fact. The favorable geographical position contains a combination of sea, river, lagoons and a wildlife sanctuary, fertile plains, marshes and sea-lines, hills and mountains give opportunity to the development of sea, fluvial, mountainous, fishing and hunting tourism as well as the development of different agricultural and farming cultivations. The decision no. 682, dated February 11, 2005, declaring the Buna River and the marsh territories around it “Terrestrial/aquatic guarded landscapes” including even the Frans Jozef Island of Velipoja, Viluni lagoon and the Baks-Rrjolli beach as well as the Domn marsh is another advantage for the development of tourism in the commune of Velipoja. 1. SOCIETY (Social capital)

a. The community and its dynamics The population movement in the region of Shkodra has been characterized since the 1990s as a massive movement of the population towards the urban areas, thus decreasing the population in many communes, although in Velipoja this movement has not been as severe. However, while the number of families has increased in Velipoje by 247 from 2000 to 2005, there has simultaneously been a decrease in the size of families. This size reduction has resulted from emigration abroad, as well as a result of internal migration towards the cities and

the commune’s own costal villages.

Figure 1. Population distribution No. of inhabitants Village Females Males Total

Pulaj 538 544 1,082 Velipoje 931 944 1,875 Reç Pulaj 188 192 380 Luarz 291 293 584 Gomsiqe e Re 611 614 1,225 Baks Rrjoll 273 271 544 Mali Kolaj 182 208 390 Baks i Ri 266 294 560 Reç i Ri 452 449 901 Ças 341 388 729 Commune 4,073 4,197 8,270

Among a population of 8,720 inhabitants in the Velipoja commune, 813 (9.8%) receive a pension. Of these 380 people receive state pensions and 433 people receive co-operative pensions. According to the data, it is estimated that the active labor force is

approximately 50%. The data in the employment office in Shkodra states that the number of employees in the public sector is 102, and the majority come from Shkodra and works in the educational system. There is no existing data about the number of employees in the private sector as well as no existing data about the unemployment rate. The majority of the inhabitants of the commune work in the agricultural and animal husbandry sector, and a small number in the construction sector. Emigration rates at the commune level remain quite high, which indicates a probably high rate of unemployment.

Figure 2. Population 2000-2005 Village No. of families

2000 2005 Pulaj 182 281 Velipoje 249 459 Reç Pulaj 91 88 Luarz 132 138 Gomsiqe e Re 279 298 Baks Rrjoll 144 141 Mali Kolaj 145 108 Baks i Ri 152 144 Reç i Ri 255 232 Ças 181 167

Commune 1,987 2,056

b. Education

During the past few years, greater attention has been placed on financing the reconstruction or building of new educational facilities in the region; however the condition of the school system in Velipoja commune is still very primitive. Currently, the condition and the number of schools cannot support the rising number of pupils. In the commune of Velipoja, there are seven primary schools and one high school. A total of 1,121 students attend school, of which 917 attend primary school and 204 attend the high school. There are 60 teachers total within the commune, 60 of whom teach in the primary school, and 10 teachers for the high school.

Figure 3. Distribution of schools, pupils and teachers in the commune of Velipoja Village

8-grade school Pupils Teacher

s High-

school Pupils Teachers

Velipojë 1 301 15 Reç Pulaj 1 22 2 Luarz 1 25 2 Gomsiqe e Re 1 453 23 1 204 10 Baks Rrjoll 1 63 4 Mali Kolaj 1 23 2 Ças 1 30 2 COMMUNE 7 917 50 1 204 10

Figure4. Community’s satisfaction with kindergartens and schools condition

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00%

Schools 7.80% 38.30% 21.80% 30.60%

4.70% 18.70% 31.10% 44%

Very Satisfied Unsatisfied Very

Kindergartens

During the Village Vision Festivals, the community expressed interest in improving the quality of teachers, the condition of the schools, providing the necessary equipment for

the classrooms, as well as finding a solution to the question of transportation to-and-from school. When asked about the condition of schools, 41.1% of the interviewees were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’. In addition, according to the Regional Education Directory there is problem with school

dropouts in the 8-grade year. The commune, along with the educational personnel and the inspectors from the Regional Education Directory are trying to find a solution to this problem. There is no real public pre-school education within the commune. The commune’s priest has constructed two kindergartens in the villages of Velipoje and Baks Rrjoll. However, these two kindergartens do not supply the commune’s needs, and as a result the children are obliged to stay at home. At the Village Vision Festivals, the citizens expressed their concern over the lack of public pre-school education. Almost 71.1% of the inhabitants are “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” with the condition of the crèches and kindergartens in the commune.

c. Culture and leisure

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%

100.0%

Figure 5. Community’s satisfaction rate regarding Cultural Activities and Free Time

Very Satisfied or Satisfied 5.2% 14.00% 2.10% 3.60% 1.60% 7.70% Unsatisfied or very unsatisfied 93.30% 84.00% 86.10% 93.30% 96.90% 78.2%

Culture Sport Library Youths Elde Cultural inheritage

The commune of Velipoja does not have a cultural center, although it had one in the past. The commune priest built the only cultural center in the village of Velipoja. The same thing is true for the sports centers. The commune priest built sports centers in two villages: Velipoja and Baks Rrjoll. Overall, the citizens remain unsatisfied by the lack of cultural and sports activities. They are also unsatisfied with the lack of leisure opportunities as there are no parks, public gardens or libraries in the commune. From the survey, 93.3% of the respondents stated that they were “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” by the lack of cultural activities and 86.1% of the citizens were “unsatisfied”

or “very unsatisfied” with the lack of sports activities.

d. Health Service Health services in the commune of Velipoja depend on the Primary Health Care Service.

Figure 6. Community’s satisfaction rate regarding health centers and hygienic Q

20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00%

0.00% 10.00%

Health Centers 5.70% 35.20% 21.80% 36.80% Hygienic 1% 21.20% 55.40% 21.20%

Very Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied

This service is comprised of two health centers located in the villages of Gomsiqe e Re and Pulaj Plazh. In the village of Velipoja there is a private health center. A doctor and some nurses, who do not meet the needs of the commune, staff the two public health centers. The lack of qualified medical personnel, more health centers or ambulances in the other commune’s villages, as well as fully equipped ambulances (with medicine, etc.) simply compound the problems of the health services. There is also a high risk of transmitting infectious diseases due to the on-going pollution of the environment, the lack of sewage systems and the un-hygienic or sanitary culture. At the Village Vision Festivals, the citizens expressed their desire for the construction of health centers in all the villages, the hiring of more qualified medical staff and the placement of garbage bins in all the wards. Only around 22.2% of the citizens are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the general level of cleanliness in the commune, while 27.9% of the population was “very satisfied or “satisfied” by the level of cleanliness in their villages.

e. Social Assistance From the data collected by the Commune Social Assistance Office, 12% of the families in Velipoja commune receive social assistance. Social Assistance is only available to those families who have no income, are below the poverty line, or for the disabled. There are 247 families in Velipoja commune who are eligible for social assistance of which 172 are disabled. The economic development of this area will help to relieve the effects of poverty and lower the number of families who need to receive social assistance.

f. Quality of Life Despite these challenges – the high rate of unemployment, problems with the land and the lack of agricultural equipment to work the land, 44.6% of interviewees described the quality of life in the commune as “good”. Another 87.1% believe that over the last three years, the quality of life has “improved a lot” or “somewhat improved”. It is also important to remember that the large number of emigrants help to improve their family’s quality of life by helping them out financially. 2. Economy

a. General situation

The commune of Velipoja boasts considerable natural resources and a favorable geographical position, along with the social capital to support sustainable local development. There is no data within the commune about the number of citizens who have a high school or university education, along with no data about their employment or

Figure 10. Community’s opinion on employment4.60%

28.40%

62.40%

Satisfied I Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied

unemployment rates. It is thought that approximately 100 inhabitants hold university degrees, in such fields as teachers, agronomists, zoo technicians, veterinarians, and a few economists or engineers. The majority of these people have been employed in the private sector (construction, agriculture, commercial units), but there is no supporting data in the Regional Employment Office or in the commune.

Figure 11. Feasibility to start a business

36.80%

39.90%

18.70%0.50%

Very Unsatisfied I Satisfied I Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied b. Agriculture Regardless of its location on the coastline, and the opportunity to develop tourism, so far agriculture and animal husbandry have comprised the main sectors of development and employment in Velipoje. The land is fertile, which enables the cultivation of many agricultural crops. The typical products produced in this area are: tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon, and grapes. However, large problems concerning the division of land into small plots, the high-cost of working it, the lack of agricultural equipment, the lack of knowledge about the production of products for the market and the inability to take goods to market due to the poor infrastructure of the roads has caused low productivity in agricultural goods, as well as a reduction in people’s interest in agriculture. This disinterest is visible in the large areas of farmland that are not being worked.

Figure 12. Land Structure in Velipoja Commune Farm Land (ha)

Field (ha)

Orchard (ha)

Olive (ha)

Vineyard (ha)

For-ests (ha)

Meadow pasture

(ha) 2700 49 12 94 34 37

However, there is interest in utilizing the natural bitumen. The current surface area covered by natural bitumen is 25,750 m2 and it functions by using the heat of the

sun.

Figure 13. Main products in Velipoja commune Cereals Agricultural products

Wheat (t) Corn (t) Potato (t) Beans (t) Vineyard

s (t) 680 239 19 13 138

c. Animal Husbandry Unlike agriculture, animal husbandry is more developed as a result of the lower cost of pasturelands in the commune. Every year, the number of livestock and animal farming products has grown. There are 2,700 cattle, of which 2,050 are cows which has increased the milk production, while there are 3,100 pigs of which 250 are sows and 2,850 are just pigs.

Figure 14. Data on Animal farming Small stock

Sheep Goat Cattle Birds

3,800 1,050 2,700 15,100

At the Village Vision Festivals, the inhabitants expressed their desire to build dairy

farms, because the existing ones do not meet the commune’s needs in terms of manufacturing animal products. The lack of dairy farms has meant that often animal-products go to waste. The citizens also expressed the idea that they could set up small farms and create animal farming complexes in Cas and Rec I Ri, as well as organizing seminars about breeding and stock improvement. In the near future, the commune’s agricultural and animal-farming products will be a main attraction for the developing tourist sector.

Figure 15. Animal Farming productivity in Velipoja Sheep Goat Cow Birds

Meat Milk Fleece Milk Meat Milk Meat Egg 844 3,520 106 1,485 1,140 57,890 96 1,856

d. Telecommunication and Information Technology In Velipoja there is a post office (Gomsiqe e Re) as well as a telephone service office. During the summer, a telephone office also opens by the beach. There are only two public telephones and these do not fulfill the needs of the commune’s inhabitants. However, mobile communication is widely used in the commune. The villages of Pulaj-Plazh, Velipoje, Gomsiqe e Re and Baks i Ri are covered by Vodafone and AMC. In addition, some of the commune villages use the mobile network from Montenegro because the cost is much lower. At the Village Vision Festivals, the citizens expressed the desire of having a land-line telephone network that covers the entire commune.

There is no internet connection. e. Tourism Tourism is the future of Velipoje. The wonderful geographic location, where one can find the sea, rivers, lagoons as well as the mountains is perfect for developing tourism. The beach is 14 km long. The untouched sands have curative properties and the clean

water means that Velipoja is visited by a lot of local and foreign visitors every year. The number of tourists runs to approximately 2,000 a season and the hotels can accommodate more. Besides costal tourism, tourism can be developed by the river or in the mountainous areas, including the creation of some hunting areas. At the Village Vision Festivals, the citizens expressed the idea of setting up ports on the Buna River, and in the Viluni lagoon, as well as constructing tourist villages in Baks Rrjoll and Majën e Zezë. In order for Velipoja to secure its future as a tourist destination, it is vital to stop the building of ugly and unapproved buildings because the situation has reached a turning point. The question is: Will Velipoja be a quality tourist beach area according to international contemporary standards to attract tourists, even from outside Albania, or will it be a low-category beach with no standards?

In order to achieve the former, it is necessary to create a regulatory plan and find a solution to the chaotic situation that is currently suffocating the beach of Velipoja. 3. ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE a. Commune’s Geographical Position The Velipoja commune is an administrative unit of Shkodra Region. It is situated in the north of Albania, and lies 25 km south of Shkodra. The total surface area of the commune is 72,40 km. In the

north it is bordered by the Dajc commune, in the south by the Adriatic Sea, in the east by the Lezha prefecture and in the west by the Buna River which creates the border with the Republic of Montenegro.

Figure 16. Land layout according to Villages Village Plain

(ha) Hill (ha)

Mountain (ha)

1. Pulaj 200 - - 2. Velipoje 625 - - 3. Reç Pulaj 170 30 - 4. Luarz 150 9 5. Gomsiqe e Re

329 20 -

6. Mali Kolaj 150 5 45 7. Baks Rrjoll 98 8. Baks i Ri 170 27 - 9. Reç i Ri 330 30 - 10. Ças 310 - -

Commune 3,432 121 45

b. Natural Resources

The commune of Velipoja is rich in natural resources. It offers beautiful scenery composed of forests, bush areas, lagoons, sand and coastal dunes, marches, and a wildlife sanctuary. Velipoja is also rich in fish reserves (there is an opportunity to create fish tanks covering a 114 ha area), in wildlife and wildfowl, including some protected species like boars, foxes, jackets, rabbits, ducks, pheasant and migratory birds (e.g., ducks, geese, woodcocks, and gulls) as well as in medicinal plants. There are no mineral resources in Velipoja commune, but it contains many raw materials for construction, like crushed stone. c. Roads Network The road network in the commune of Velipoja is very interwoven, due to the widespread location and the number of villages. The road network is comprised of roads that connect the commune to the national road, roads that connect villages to trunk roads, as well as internal village roads. The road network is almost totally amortized. All the internal and rural roads are unpaved (except Mali Kolaj road for 2.5 km only). Some of the roads are paved in crushed stone (e.g., Luarz, Rec i Ri and Pulaj roads). There is no accurate data on the commune’s inner village roads, but they are estimated to be about 47 km in total. The commune’s rural roads which connect the trunk roads to the villages and connect the villages to each other are 42 km in total.

Figure 17. Road Network in Velipoje Regional rural

roads (km) Rural municipal

roads (km) Village Roads (km)

Asphalt Unpaved Asphalt Unpaved Asphalt Unpaved 0 42 2.5 47 0

At the Village Vision Festivals and in the citizen survey, the citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the condition of the roads. Paving the trunk road between Shkoder and Velipoje is indispensable, as is asphalting the roads that connect the commune villages to the trunk roads. Paving these roads would have a positive impact in facilitating the transportation of agricultural and farming products throughout the region. d. Power Supply The Velipoja commune is supplied with power by KESH. However, the power supply is irregular due to the low payment levels. It should be noted that during the summer time there are no electricity cuts in the coastal zones.

Figure 19. Power supply network in Velipoje Main network T.L (km)

Cable network T.U (km)

Number of electric cabins

Number of transformers

Individual measurer

Beneficiaries (family)

80,7 82,4 204 204 2,055 2,055 e. Drinking water supply

Velipoja Commune has two water-supply systems; one of them supplies Mali Kolaj village and the other supplies the other commune villages. There are 5 pumping systems, four horizontal and one vertical. The quantity and quality of the water supply is not at the desired level, as a result of a network that is outmoded.

The majority of citizens surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the drinking water (68% said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied).

Figure 20. Drinking water supply network

Village Length of

distribution network

(km)

Length of outer

network (km)

Velipoje 23 16 Mali Kolaj 6 4

Citizen ratings of drinking water

Very satisf ied2% Satisf ied

30%

Dissatisf ied56%

Very dissatisf ied

12%

f. Sewerage In Velipoja commune there is no sewage network. Most commune families have built themselves individual septic holes, including families that live in apartment blocks (in Ças village 12 block of flats, in Reç i Ri 13 block of flats and in Sektor i). This is a serious problem, especially for the families

in the apartment blocks, as the sewage has overflown, crating an opportunity for the spread of infectious diseases. The number of septic holes is almost equal to the number

of houses. In the citizen survey, 89.6% of citizens stated that they were “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” with the sewage system. g. Rain water canalization (drainage – irrigation) Rain water canalization

system for the Velipoja commune is divided into the drainage and irrigation canalization system. Drainage canals are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary canals. There are two main drainage canals: one covers zone no.1 and has a length of 12,7 km and is connected to the Velipoja reservoir (Vilunit). Both canals cover 4,000 ha land. There are nine secondary drainage canals, which have a length of 14,2 km and there are 103 tertiary drainage canals, which have a length of 7 km. Unlike the primary and secondary drainage canals which are regularly cleaned, the tertiary canals have not been cleaned in twenty years. A survey of the natural land drainage is necessary since Velipoja is a marsh area.

6.20%

34.20%

55.40%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfid

Figure 22. Citizen ratings of sewerage

0

8

36

51

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Verysatisfied

Satisfied Dissatisfied Verydissatisfied

Citizen ratings of rain water drainage

The irrigation system is made up of four canals (k.u1 Mertenze-Pentar with a longitude of 9,5 km, capacity 1,6 m3/sec and water 650 ha land; k.u Ças with longitude of 2,3 km, capacity 0,3 m3/sek dhe ujit 200 ha land; k.u Mertenze-Pulaj with longitude of 14,5 km, capacity 2,2 m3/sec and water 1000 ha land; k.u10 parabolic with a capacity of 0,5 m3/sek and water 400 ha tokë). The irrigation canals do not work as they were damaged during the 1990s. The citizens of Velipoja are 86.6% “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” by the rain water canalization system. 4. COMMUNE GOVERNANACE a. Commune’s organizational chart

There are 17 employees in the commune of Velipoja. The chart below illustrates the organization structure of the Commune government.

Velipoja commune’s organization chart

b. Commune’s budget The commune’s budget for 2005 was 47,533,000 lek. If you examine the table, it is clear that the commune’s budget for 2005 has increased 9.8% from 2004 and 27% since

2003. However, this growth cannot support all the commune’s goals. The commune’s budget consists of a state grant that equals 22.5%, conditional funds that equal 59% and the commune’s own revenues which are 18.5%. It is clear in the table that the income provided by taxes, fees, and tariffs is a low percentage of the commune’s budget. This is why the commune

administration is aiming to increase its percentage income in 2006. This goal will be achieved by strengthening the understanding and awareness of the community and businesses to the importance of paying taxes to the local government.

Figure 26. Main Sources in the Commune’s budget (2003 – 2005)

Commune’s incomes in thousand lek

Year

Transfer (grant)

from the state

budget

Conditional grants from

the government (ministries)

Commune’s incomes from

taxes/fees/tariffs Total

2003 9,099 24,010 4,289 37,398 2004 8,164 26,050 9,081 43,295

2005 10,716 28,037 8,800 47,553

Secretary of Commune’s Council

Social Aid Office 1 employee

Agriculture Office 1 employee

Commune police 3 policemen

Legal Office 1 employee

Town-planning office

2 employees

Finance Office 3 employees

Tax office 3 employees

Vice-Chief

Chief of Commune

Figure 27. Where do incomes go (Commune expenses for year 2005) Expenses and outgoings

Functions Total Salaries

Social Insurances Contribution

Operational expenses&

Maintenance Investmen

ts Transfers

General Administration 14,250 8,400 1,800 2,000 2,050 Public services 5,409 1,200 300 3,909 Education 25,538 17,502 5,036 1,000 Health 5,140 3,500 1,050 590 Culture Social Issues Other 359 255 74 30 From these: Reserve Fund 600 600

TOTAL 49,296 30,857 8,260 7,529 2,050 600

Most of the income of the commune goes to salaries, contributions and social insurance, as well as other operational expenses and maintenance. Only 2,050,000 leks are used for investments. c. Citizens participation Although community participation in the decision making process is low, from the contacts we made with the commune council members, commune administration and with their inhabitants, the result has been an increase in the number of people seeking to take part in the decision-making. According to the survey, 37% of interviewees are “very interested or “interested” in taking part in the decision-making process. Yet, there is low participation, even in the community’s open meetings. Approximately 34.2% of citizens stated they had ‘never’ taken part in an open community meeting. The community’s low participation rate is stimulating the community’s administration to be more focused on encouraging inhabitants to take part in this important democratic process. The purpose of encouraging community participation is to allow the local authorities a chance to receive information and non-governmental data from the community, and to ensure that the administration’s decisions are made with an awareness of the importance of the community’s views and opinions.

Velipoje Vision

The Commune of Velipoja is a tourist area of European standards with a well developed infrastructure, agriculture, and animal husbandry, offering the community a high level of

service and a place where the wonderful geographic position combined with the inhabitants’ willingness to build good local governance attracts new inhabitants and

welcomes tourists.

Economic Development

Social Development

Public Infrastructure and Services

Good Governance

1. Rehabilitate and maintain the road network 2. Rehabilitate and maintain the water-supply system 3. Rehabilitate and maintain the water and drainage system 4. Improve the cleanliness of the commune and its environment

1. Improve the educational and preschool system 2. Improve our health system 3. Improve the social, cultural and sports life

1. Develop Tourism (sea, river and mountainous) 2. Improve Agriculture 3. Increase Opportunities for Fishing Industry 4. Increasing Forest Areas

1. Increase community participation in decision making 2. Improve working conditions of commune administration. 3. Improve professional qualification of the administration and

commune council

Strategic Goal 1:Tourism development

Tourism development is the main goal of the commune, as a result of Velipoja’s geographic

position. The development of a town regulatory plan for Rana-e Hedhun- Derdhja e Bunes will be the commune’s main priority as well. Sea, river, mountainous tourism, as well as construction of bays in Buna river and Vilun lagoon, and the setting up of tourist villages in

Baks Rrjoll and Majen e Zezë are the other ambitious goals of Velipoja commune.

Prioritary areas: Economic development

Development of tourism, agriculture, fishing and hunting will be the main goals for a stable economic development of Velipoja commune. These goals will enhance our residents’ quality of life and reduce unemployment and emigration rates. A developed and stable tourism is strongly connected to a reliable city-planning study of the coastal zones, a developed agriculture is strongly connected with solving land

ownership problems, improving roads infrastructure as well as raising an interest in producing products oriented towards the market. Making fish hatcheries work, building a center for fish manufacturing as well as hunting of wildfowls and wildlifes within international

standards will be another factor of economic growth.

Strategic Goal 5: Other services

In addition to tourism, agricultural and fishing opportunities, the possibility of exploiting raw

materials extraction for chippings and stones, as well as collection and processing of medicinal

plants is another economic development opportunity. The growth of these businesses will

increase income and employment opportunities for the Velipoja inhabitants.

Strategic Goal 3: Fishing Development

Development of fowl and animal, fishing and hunting, closely connected with tourism development will be another goal of the commune. A priority will be ensuring the

functioning of fish hatcheries and setting up a center for its marketing and manufacturing.

Hunting within standards controlled by the commune will be an economic and

employment opportunity.

Strategic Goal 2: Agricultural development

Agricultural development, despite a momentary low efficiency, aims to

increase the livestock, agricultural and animal farming products as well as see a growth in fruit growing. All of this will be

achieved by solving land ownership issues, setting up big farms, giving

technical opinions and financial support as well as production of market oriented

products.

Strategic Goal 4: Increase forest areas

Increasing the forest area and maintaining the existing ones is among the commune’s economic

development goals. A priority will be the planting of seedlings in the mountainous and hilly regions.

Enhancing forest sown areas will increase the number of animals and fowl and will protect our land from erosion, promote clean air, as well as make the

landscape more attractive and beautiful.

Priority areas: Economical development 1. Tourism development (sea, fluvial and mountainous) 2. Agricultural development

STRATEGY AND NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PLANS AFFECTING THIS PRIORITY AREA

3. Fishing development 1. National Economical and Social Strategy 4. Increasing forest areas 2. Regional Development Strategy of Shkodra Qark

Strategic Goals

5. Other services 3. Millenium Development Goals O.S Action steps By when

Remaking a town-planning study of the costal zone Rana e Hedhun – Derdhja e Bunës. 2006 Setting up a harbour in Buna river (Pulaj village) and in Viluni lagoon 2007 on-going Erecting a touristic village in Majen e Zezë and in Baks Rrjoll 2006 on-going Attracting local and foreign investitors. 2006 on-going Organizing seminars on hotel and restaurant services 2010 – 2015

1.

Propaganda campaign on the beauty and quality of beaches, sports and mountainous and fluvial tourism. 2010 – 2015 Making the animal farms in Cas and Reç i Ri work. 2008 – 2010 Increasing the number of livestocks and birds. 2006 – 2008 Giving technical opinion on the racial betterment and setting up small animal farms. 2006 – 2008 Setting up two dairies for manufacturing farming products. 2007 – 2009 Drafting policicies by granting soft loans for farmers and stock-breeders. 2006 – 2007 Increasing vineyard sown areas 2006 – 2009 Increasing fruit-tree sown areas. 2006 – 2009 Increasing the area and number of natural bitumens 2006 – 2009 Setting up a retail market for farming products, fruits and vegetables. 2007

2.

Solving land ownership issues Functioning of tubs for fish-farming 2008 – 2010 Setting up a fish manufacturing center 2010 Organizing seminars on hunting and fishing. 2007 on-going 3.

Drafting strick policies on wildlifes and wildfowls 2006 on-going Increasing forest areas in the villages Ças and Luarzë 2006 – 2007 4. Drafting policies on the protection and maintenance of the existing forests 2006 Encouraging and supporting the business development of the construction materials’ extraction and processing 2006-2008 Setting up a center for the preservation and manufacturing of medicinal plants. 2008 on-going 5. Encouraging and supporting the development of floricultures and flowers marketing business 2006

Quantitative Indicators Actual 2005 Actual 2006 Actual 2008 Actual 2010

1. Number of livestocks (heavy and light beasts) 7550 7800 8500 2. Number of animal products’ manufacturing centers (dairy) 2 2 3 3. Meat quantity (heavy and light beasts) 1984 kv 1995 kv 2010 kv 4. Quantity of produced milk (heavy and light beasts) 62895 kv 63000 kv 63250 kv 5. Area of bearing fruit trees (orchard and olive-groves) 61 ha 65 ha 75 ha 6. Area bearing orchard 94 ha 105 ha 125 ha 7. Area of natural-bitumen in production 25750 m2 25850 m2 26000 m2 8. Number of markets for products’ marketing 1 1 2 Qualitative Indicators 1. Percentage of inhabitants describing commune’s life quality as good. 44.6 % 52 % 65 % 2. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the opportunities to start a new business 18.7 % 25 % 35 %

3. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the employment opportunities 15 % 25 % 40 % 4. Percentage of families annually acquiring higher annual incomes than 300,000 lekë 10.4 % 20 % 40 %

5. Percentage of families giving the proper contribution for the common activities. 66.4 % 70 % 80 %

Strategic Goal1: Tourism development

Tourism development is the main goal of the commune, because of Velipoja’s geographic position. Remaking the town-planning feasibility Rana e Hedhun – Derdhja e Bunës will be one of the commune’s major priorities. Sea, fluvial and mountainous tourism in Buna river and Vilunit lagoon, setting up tourist villages in Baks Rrjoll dhe Majen e Zezë are other ambitious goals of Velipoja, but not only its.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Notes By when

1. Rana e Hedhun – Derdhja e Bunës re-make town-planning feasibility

Situation appraisal Town-planning feasibility Inclusion of this project in the list of the priority financing objects.

Emergence

2. Make regulatory plans for all Velipoja commune’s villages

Situation appraisal Making of regulator plans

2007- ongoing

3. Seminars regarding the provided services in hotels and restaurants.

Accomplishment – collaboration with association of hotel-keepers, businessmen, GTZ

2006 - ongoing

4. Propaganda campaing Accomplishment – collaboration with associations, business community, Qark Council

2006 - ongoing

5. Set up bays in Buna river and Vilun lagoon.

Situation appraisal Technical project Defining the financing mechanism – collaboration with business community, foreign donors, government and Qark Council. Procurement and construction

2010 – 2015

6. Set up tourist villages in Baks Rrjoll and in Majen e Zezë.

Situation appraisal Technical project Defining the financing mechanism – collaboration with business community, foreign donors, government. Procurement and construction

2010 – 2015

Strategic Goal 2. Agriculture Development Agricultural development despite the current low efficiency, aims to raise livestock, farming and agricultural products number as well as the growth of fruit growing. All this will be achieved by solving land ownership issues, construction of big farms, providing technical opinions as well as financial support and the production of market oriented products.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete Steps/Note By when:

1. Making the animal farms(complexes) in Cas and Rec i Ri work.

Situation appraisal Financing mechanism – commune in collaboration with stock-breeders, Directory of Agriculture and Food in Shkoder, Shkodra Qark Council and Agriculture Ministry. Procurement and construction–

2. Raising the number of livestocks and birds.

Ongoing contacts with the specialists of Agriculture and Food Directory in Shkodra. Contacts on granting soft loans for stock-breeders from PSHM, BESA Foundation, TEULEDA

3. Providing technical opinion for racial betterment and setting up of small animal farms.

Ongoing contacts with the specialists of Agriculture and Food Directory in Shkodra Collaboration and financing request from GTZ, AFTD, ARZH, TEULEDA Executing trainings on racial betterment and prevention of diseases

4. Constructing two dairies for the manufacturing of animal farming products.

Setting up dairies would raise inhabitants’ economical incomes, the products wouldn’t go loss and market oriented products would be produced. Contacts on soft loans’ granting opportunities for farmers

5. Drafting policies for granting soft loans for farmers and stock-breeders.

Contacts with the Directory of Agriculture and Food as well as with the Ministry of Agriculture.

6. Increasing vineyard areas.

Encouraging farmers to increase vineyard areas (morally and financially) Providing mechanical assistance and seedling for sowing Being furnished with pesticides Oriented towards products’ selling market Organization and strengthening of the farmers association

7. Increasing fruit-tree areas

Encouraging farmers to increase vineyard areas (morally and financially) Providing mechanical assistance and seedling for sowing Being furnished with pesticides Oriented towards products’ selling market

8. Increasing the number and areas of natural bitumens

Supported with low interest loans Financial and moral incentive for farmers to increase the natural bitumen’ areas.

9. Setting up a retail market for farming products, fruits and vegetables.

Collaboration with GTZ Collaboration with the community

Strategic Goal 3: Development of fishing and hunting The development of fishing and hunting of birds and animals is strongly connected to tourism development will be another goal of Velipojë. A priority will be the functioning of hatcheries and setting up a center for its manufacturing and marketing. Hunting within criterias, audited and taxed by the commune will be an economical income and employment. Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Notes By when:

1. Functioning of fishing hatcheries.

Situation appraisal Technical project Financing mechanism Procurement and construction

2008 – 2010

2. Setting up a center for fish manufacturing.

Situation appraisal Technical project Financing mechanism – collaboration with business Procurement and construction

2010

3. Organizing seminars on hunting and fishing.

Establishment of the hunters and fishermen association Organizing seminars on hunting modes, period and protection of fish and wildlife. Collaboration with DBU Shkodra specialists as well as with hunters’ association. Organizing sport activities with financial and moral incentive on fish, wildfowl and wildlife’s’ hunting.

2007 -ongoing

4. Drafting strick policies on wildlifes and wildfowls’ hunting.

Hunting taxing from the Commune Council Creating a Task Force for prevention of hunting during breeding times and settle fees in cases of violations. Incomes should be financing environment protection.

2006 -ongoing

Strategic Goal 4: Increasing forest areas The ongoing raise of the population, grocery products, buildings and large number of beach visitors during summer time makes indispensable the improvement of cleaning service and environment protection. A priority is considered the placement of garbage-bins to throw trashes in any commune village and cleaning the site of thrown thrashes. Projects/Action Steps Concrete Steps/Notes By when:

1. Increasing forest sown areas in the villages Ças and Luarzë

Collaboration with the Environment Directory of Shkodra and Rec Qark Financial and moral incentive for the inhabitants paving the forest sown surfaces

2006 – 2007

2. Drafting policies on the protection and maintennace of the existing forests.

Commune funds, collaboration with the community, school pupils, environment protection associations and forest directory. Collaboration with the Environment Office nearby Qark Council and Shkodra and with the Environment Regional Center REC Set administrative measures for the violators

2006

Strategic Goal 5: Other services Despite the big opportunities for the development of tourism, agriculture and fishing, in Velipoja exists the possibility of raw materials extraction for stone quarries and stones, as well as collection and manufacturing of medicinal plants. Development of these businesses will raise incomes and Velipoja inhabitants’ employment opportunities.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete Steps/Note By when:

1.Encouraging and supporting the development of raw materials’ extraction and processing.

Despite the big possibilities for the extraction of construction material it is indispensable for the stone-quarries to be opened in those places where they do not pollute the environment and inhabitants’ health.

2006-2008

2.Setting up a center for the preservation and processing of medical plants.

The construction of a center like this can be actualized in Baks Rrjoll village Financing mechanism - collaboration with the community, commune funds, state budget, and donors.

2008 ongoing

3. Encouraging and supporting the growth of floricultures and flowers’ marketing.

This project will be accomplished with the commune funds and different donors. 2006

Priority areas: Infrastructure and Public Services

In Velipoja commune intervention in the field of infrastructure and public services will be achieved mainly through the rehabilitation and maintenance of the road network, rehabilitation and maintenance of water-supply, irrigation, drainage, sewerage (K.U.Z) and public lighting. Taking into consideration its favourable geographic position on the coast of the Adriatic sea and Buna river, it is vitally necessary to create the town’s regulatory plan to ensure the commune’s sustainable growth. This will be based on the V.K.M no. 682, dated 2.11.2005, which declared many Velipoja zones as ”water and terrestrial safeguarded landscape.” Our goal also is to improve the commune’s cleanliness,

telecommunication and power services.

Strategic Goal 1: Rehabilitation and maintenance of the road network

Strategic Goal 2: Rehabilitation and maintenance of the water-system and K.U.Z

Strategic Goal 3: Rehabilitation of the watering and draining system

Improvement of the drinking water supply system and building of K.U.Z aims at

enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of the transmission of contagious

diseases. A priority is to build the sewerage network in Cas, Rec i Ri and Sektor and to

extend this in the future to the other commune villages. Completion of the third

water system phase in the villages is another commune goal.

Intervention in the road network of the commune is necessary as the majority of

roads are unpaved. This intervention would enhance economic activity and improvement

in the quality of life. A priority is to asphalt the following roads; Gomsiqe e Re – Vorri i Hasanit – Cobaj, Vorri i Hasanit – Cas; i

rrugës Mbi Sukë – Rec i Ri – Rec Pulaj and the trunk road – Vorreza Pulaj.

Rehabilitation and intervention in the damaged and polluted drainage system

would positively impact the flooding problems as well as help preserve and

increase the efficiency of the agricultural and animal products. A priority is the

functioning of canals in Cas and Mertenzse-Pulaj. It will be aimed at cleaning the third

drainage canals and re-making lands’ drainage feasibility.

Strategic Goal 4: Improvement of the cleaning service and environment

Strategic Goal 5: Other public services protection

Being a tourist zone makes indispensable even the improvement of other services like public lighting,

construction of sidewalks, establishment of toilets in the beach zones, development of

telecommunication system and increase of power supply. This will largely be set forth in the

regulatory plan.

The ongoing increase in the population, buildings and high level of beach habitués during the peak summer period makes the improvement of the cleaning service and environmental protection indispensable. A priority

is the placement of garbage bins in each commune village and rigorous waste removal from these areas.

Priority area: Infrastructure and Public Services 1.Rehabilitation and maintenance of roads system 2.Rehabilitation and maintenance of water-supply and K.U.Z system

NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PLANS AFFECTING THESE PRIORITY AREAS

3.Rehabilitation and maintenance of the watering and draining system 1. National Strategy of the Social and Economic Development

4.Improvement of the cleaning and environment protection services 2. Regional Strategy of Shkodra Qark Development

STRATEGIC GOALS

5.Other services 3. Millenium Development Goals O.S Action Steps By when

Asphalting of road Gomsiqe e Re – Vorri i Hasanit – Cobaj and Vorri i Hasanit – Cas 2006 – 2007 Asphalting of road Mbi Sukë – Rec i Ri 2008 Asphalting of road Rruga nacionale – Vorreza Pulaj 2007 – 2010 Asphalting of road Rruga nacionale – Mali Kolaj (unasphalted part) 2008 Asphalting and maintenance of the other connective villages’ byways and their interior roads. 2010

1.

Road Baks i Ri – Baks Rrjoll 2006-2007 Construction of sewerage network in the villages Rec Ri, Cas and Sektor 2006 – 2008 Construction of a water-supply in Baks Rrjoll village 2007 Completion of the third water-supply phase in the villages; Cas, Gomsiqe e Re and Pulaj Plazh 2006 -ongoing Regular supply with drinking water for the entire commune 2007 – 2008

2.

Construction of K.U.Z for all villages especially in the coastal zone 2009 -ongoing Rehabilitation and functioning of the watering canal in Cas 2008 -ongoing Rehabilitation and functioning of the watering canal Mertenze – Pulaj 2008 -ongoing Rehabilitation and functioning of parabolic canal 2010 -ongoing Cleaning of third drainage canals 2008 –ongoing

3.

New study regarding land drainage 2010 -ongoing

Equipment of all villages with garbage cans 2006 – 2007 Cleaning of the safeguarded zone (river, lagoon, hatchery, forest and sand) from the dispose of refuses out of criteria 2006 Erecting a center of protection against fair in the village Pulaj - Plazh 2008 Considering all options to drag and collect garbages by the private enterprises or the commune itself. 2008 4.

Encircling, cleaning and opening of corridors in the wildlife sanctuary, to be protected from fire, damages,pollution and illegitimate hunting. 2006 - 2008

5. Construction of sidewalks and public lightening network in the villages Gomsiqe e Re, Baks i Ri and Sektor 2006 -2008

Enhancing power supply through the raise of electric cabins and improvement of network. 2006 -ongoing Building public conveniences in the beach 2006 Encircling grave-yards and their extension 2006

O.S Quantitative Indicators Actual 2005 Target 2006 Actual 2008 Target 2010 1. Km asphalted roads 2.5 11 10 12 2. Number of villages in which roads are asphaslted. 1 5 2 2 3. Number of villages with partly asphalted roads 6 8 10 10

Qualitative Indicators 1.

1 Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied in particular commune villages. 74,8 % 27 % 20 % 10 % 2.Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied by the current roads condition 73,6 % 30 % 20 % 8 % O.S Quantitative Indicators

1. Number of families with drinking water supply 1370 1600 1800 2000 2. Number of new water-supplies 0 0 1 - 3. Number of the reconstructed water -supplies 0 0 1 -

Qualitative Indicators 1. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the quality of drinking water. 56 % 67 % 80 % 92 %

2.

2. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the quantity of drinking water 30,1 % 46 % 62 % 87 % O.S Quantitative Indicators

1.Number of watering canals 0 1 2 1 2.Area of under water land 0 200 ha 1400 ha 1650 ha 3.Number of beneficient families 0 300 700 800

Qualitative Indicators 3.

1. Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied with K.U.B 86,6 % 75 % 55 % 35 % O.S Qualitative Indicators

1.Percentage of population satisfied with the overall commune cleanliness 22,2 % 40 % 60 % 80 % 4 2.Percentage of population satisfied with cleanliness in their village 27,9 % 45 % 65 % 85 %

O.S Qualitative Indicators 1. Numer of villages with sidewalks and public lightening 0 1 3 5

5. 2. Number of villages with postal service 1 1 2 2

Strategic Goal 1: Rehabilitation and maintenance of roads’ system Intervention in the road network of the commune is necessary as the majority of roads are unpaved. This intervention would enhance economic activity and improvement in the quality of life. A priority is to asphalt the following roads; Gomsiqe e Re – Vorri i Hasanit – Cobaj, Vorri i Hasanit – Cas; i rrugës Mbi Sukë – Rec i Ri – Rec Pulaj and the trunk road – Vorreza Pulaj.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Note Deri ne vitin 1. Asphalting of Gomsiqe e Re – Vorri i Hasanit – Cobaj, Vorri i Hasanit – Ças, Mbi Suke – Rec i Ri, and rruga nacionale – varreza Pulaj

Collaboration with ADF to accomplish the road technical project ADF has financed this project Inclusion of these roads in the list of the priority objects 2006 – 2007

2. Asphalting of the second part of the segment Mali Kolaj and of the road Reç i Ri – Reç Pulaj

Situation appraisal Technical project Defining financing mechanism – communication with the community, their involvement and contribution in these projects, as well as continuous contacts with the Qark Council for financing opportunities. Bid and Construction

2008

3. Repair and maintenance of the roads : trunk road – Qerret, trunk road – Velipoje school, trunk road – Shullej neighborhood, trunk road – Prekaj neighborhood, Cas center – Selmanej neighborhood.

Situation appraisal Technical Project Financing mechanism – Communication with the community, their involvement and contribution in these projects, inclusion of projects in the local budget, as well as continuous contacts with the Qark Council for financing opportunities. Bid and Construction

2007 – 2010

4. Feasibility of road Baks i Ri – Baks Rrjoll.

Situation appraisal Technical project Financing mechanism Bid and construction

2010

Strategic Goal 2: Rehabilitation and maintenance of water-supply and K.U.Z system Improvement of the drinking water supply system and building of K.U.Z aims at enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of the transmission of contagious diseases. A priority is to build the sewerage network in Cas, Rec i Ri and Sektor and to extend this in the future to the other commune villages. Completion of the third water system phase in the villages is another commune goal. Projects/Action steps Concrete steps/Note Deri ne vitin: 1. Completion of the third water supply phase in the villages: Gomsiqe e Re, Cas and Pulaj Plazh.

Collaboration with the community Collaboration with central governance Collaboration with donors 2006 ongoing

2. Construction of water-supply in the village Baks Rrjoll

Situation appraisal Technical project Financing mechanism Bid and construction

2010

3. Construction of sewerage in the villages Reç i Ri.

Situation appraisal – Kush? Kur? Sa? Technical project – Kush? Kur? Sa? Collaboration with ADF for financing. Inclusion of this project in the list of priority objects for financing

2006 – 2007

4. Construction of sewerage in the villages Cas and Sektor

Situation appraisal – who? when? How much? Technical project – who? when? how much? Financing mechanism – ongoing communication with the community their involvement ands contribution in these projects, inclusion of projects in the local budget, as well as ongoing contacts with the Qark Council for financing opportunities.. Bid and construction – who? when? How much?

2007 – 2008

4. Construction of sewerage for the entire commune.

Situation appraisal – Who? When? How much? Technical project – who? when? how much? Financing mechanism – ongoing communication with the community their involvement and contribution in these projects, inclusion of projects in the local budget, as well as ongoing contacts with the Qark Council for financing opportunities.. Procurement and construction – who? when? how much?

2009 ongoing

Strategic Goal 3: Rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage system Rehabilitation and intervention in the damaged and polluted drainage system would positively impact the flooding problems as well as help preserve and increase the efficiency of the agricultural and animal products. A priority is the functioning of canals in Cas and Mertenzse-Pulaj. It will be aimed at cleaning the third drainage canals and re-making lands’ drainage feasibility.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete Steps/Note Deadlines:

1. Reconstruction of watering network Ças and Mertemze-Pentar

Situation appraisal Technical project – Shkodra Draining Board Financing Mechanism – collaboration with the community, local government, Ministry of Agriculture, Qark Council and foreign donors. Bid and construction

2008 –ongoing

2. Feasibility on lands’ drainage.

Situation appraisal Technical project – Paedology Institute ?

3. Reparation, cleaning and putting in the price of commune’s defence embankments. Embankment of Vilunit, Pentar – Luarzit, Reç – Pulaj and Çasit

Situation appraisal Technical project – Shkodra Draining Board Financing Mechanism – collaboration with the community, local government, Ministry of Agriculture, Qark Council and foreign donors. procurement and construction

2008 –ongoing

4. Cleaning and functioning of the third draining canals.

Situation appraisal Technical project – Shkodra Draining Board Financing Mechanism – collaboration with the community, local government, Ministry of Agriculture, Qark Council and foreign donors.

2008 –ongoing

5. Reconstruction of watering network Mertemze – Pulaj and the parabolic one.

Situation appraisal Technical project – Shkodra Draining Board Financing Mechanism – collaboration with the community, local government, Ministry of Agriculture, Qark Council and foreign donors

2010 –ongoing

Strategic Goal 4: Improvement of cleaning and environmental protection service The ongoing increase in the population, buildings and high level of beach habitués during the peak summer period makes the improvement of the cleaning service and environmental protection indispensable. A priority is the placement of garbage bins in each commune village and rigorous waste removal from these areas. Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Note By when:

1. Placing of a sufficient number of receptacles to dispose the refuse in each commune village and neighborhood.

Community’s awareness to dispose refuses in the designated sites. (posters, leaflets, meeting with inhabitants). Collect cleaning tax by the commune side for the community and businesses. Setting by the commune council administrative measures for the violators that damage garbage receptacles and pollute the environment. Determine sites to dispose the construction refuses.

2006 – 2007

2. Cleaning of touristic zones (forest, lagoon, river and sand) and disposal of refuse.

The mechanisms of this project accomplishment will be-commune funds, collaboration with the community, students, and associations for environment protection. Communicating with the Environment Office nearby Qark Council and REC Regional Environment Center.

2006

3. Enclosing, cleaning and opening of corridors in the wildlife sanctuary to be guarded by fires, damages, pollution and illegitimate hunting.

Situation appraisal Establish communications with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Waters Administration 2006 – 2008

4. Setting up a safety center against fire in Pulaj – Plazh village.

Construction of this center is necessary not only for the numerous forests but even because summer season is very hot and as a result of fire occurrence as well as 32 km distance from Shkodra. Defining the place Equipment with quenchers and required logistic devices Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Waters Administration and foreign donors.

2008

5. Perform feasibility on garbage collection and accumulation in the villages.

Situation appraisal Contacting licensed units Collaboration with the community

2007

Goal 5: Other public services Being a tourist zone makes indispensable even the improvement of other services like public lighting, construction of sidewalks, establishment of toilets in the beach zones, development of telecommunication system and increase of power supply. This will largely be set forth in the regulatory plan.

Projects/Action steps Concrete Steps/Note By when:

1. Construction of sidewalks and streetlighting network in village Gomsiqe e Re

Situation appraisal Technical project Collaboration with ADF for financing opportunities. Inclusion of this project in the list of priority objects for financing opportunities.

2006

2. Construction of sidewalks and street lighting network in villages Baks i Ri and Sektor

Situation appraisal – Velipojë commune Technical project – Velipojë commune Financing mechanism – the commune with its funds and in collaboration with the community

2007 - 2008

3. Establishing public lighting for all commune villages

Situation appraisal – Velipojë commune Technical project – Velipojë commune Financing mechanism – collaboration with community, collaboration with the community, commune funds, state budget, and donors.

2007 –ongoing

4. Reconstruction and construction of public conveniences in the seaside zone

The accomplishment of this project will be afforded by commune funds and different donors. 2006

5. Improvement of fix line service through the increase of fix phone numbers and its extension in all villages.

Make contact with Alb – Telecom to increase fix line numbers and expand fix line network Make contact with private associations to install fix line network

2006 –ongoing

6. Improvement of power supply service. Make contact with KESH Regional Directory Increase power fee percentage

2006 –ongoing

Priority area: Social Development

Improvement of the residents’ social life despite their difficult situation comprises another aim of Velipoja commune. Social development is strongly connected to the improvement of educational and health systems to the social, cultural and sports lifes as well as to the hygienic-sanitary conditions. The lack of classrooms to withstand the growth in the student population, the total lack of creches, kindergartens, health centers (an operational center does not cover the needs of the entire commune), social-cultural milieus, and sports grounds makes difficult the social-cultural life in the commune. On this ground, Velipoja commune through its goals and priorities aims to build new schools and reconstruct the existing one’s, build creches and kidergartens, set up cultural milieus and sports grounds as well as health and advisory centers.

Strategic Goal 1: Improvement of educational and pre-schooling system

Strategic Goal 2: Improvement of health system

The existence of a single health center does not cover the health service needs of our residents. The commune’s priority will be the setting up of health centers in all commune villages. Being supplied with an ambulance to transport sick persons, with medical supplies and with necessary equipment for emergencies, strengthening of measures to prevent contagious diseases and increase of qualified services are other commune aims.

Improvement and strengthening of educational and pre-school systems is an essential requirement for the commune’s growth. Reconstruction and improvement of the existing schools conditions, building of schools, crèches and growth of teaching quality, creation of transportation opportunities for children to go to school, creation of labs and opening a class for the tourism branch will be Velipoja commune’s priorities.

Strategic goal 3:Improvement of social-cultural and sports life

Improvement of educational and health systems is strongly connected to the development of social, cultural and sports life. That is why we aim at setting up cultural environments, sports grounds, relaxing environments, parks, an internet center, playground, artistic groups as well as the organization of sports, cultural and social activities.

Priority Areas: Economic Development 1.Improvement of educational and pre-school systems 2.Improvement of health system

STRATEGY AND NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PLANS EFFECTING THIS PRIORITY AREA

1. National Strategy of Economic and Social Development Strategic Goals

3.Improvement of social, cultural and sports life 2. Regional Strategy of Shkodra Qark Development O.S Action Steps By when

Construction of school in Mali Kolaj village 2006 – 2007 Reconstruction of schools in Ças, Baks Rrjoll 2007 -ongoing Construct creches and kidergartens in all commune villages 2006 – 2010 Open a tourism branch nearby the high school 2006 – 2007 Supply schools with lab equipment 2006 – 2007

1.

Increase teaching quality annual Reconstruction of the health center in Gomsiqe 2007 Set up health centers in all villages 2007 -ongoing Equipment of ambulances to transport sick persons. 2007 Health education and policies’ compilation to prevent contagious diseases. 2007 -ongoing

2.

Personnel’s professional growth and providing qualified services Ongoing Set up a library in Velipoja village 2009 – 2010 Open an internet center nearby the high school 2008 Set up commune’s cultural center and artistic groups in the village Gomsiqe e Re 2008 -ongoing Set up sports centers for youth 2007 – 2009

3.

Set up playground for children and relaxing environment for elder people 2007 – 2010

O.S Quantitative Indicators Actual 2005 Target 2006 Target 2008 Target 2010

1. Number of schools for primary education 11 1 1 1 2. Number of premises for preschool education 0 1 2 2 3. Number of pupils in primary education 546 600 700 820

Qualitative Indicators

1. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with schools’ condition 52,4 % 45 % 35 % 20 %

1.

2. Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied with the condition of crèches and kindergartens 75,1 % 70 % 55 % 40 %

3. Percentage of students attending high school Quantitative Indicators

1.Number of health centers 2 0 2 2 Qualitative Indicators 2. 1. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the condition of health centers 40,9 % 40,5 % 60 % 80 %

O.S Quantitaive Indicators 1. Number of sports centers 0 0 2 3 2. Number of cultura centers 0 0 1 1 3. Number of libraries 0 0 0 1

Qualitative Indicators 1. Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied with the organized sports activates 84 % 75% 60% 45%

2.Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied with the organized cultural activities 93,3 % 85% 70% 50%

1.

3. Percentage of inhabitants unsatisfied with the services provided for youths in commune 93,3 % 80% 65% 45%

Strategic Goal 1: Improvement of educational and pre-school system Improvement and strengthening of educational and pre-school systems is an essential requirement for the commune’s growth. Reconstruction and improvement of the existing schools conditions, building of schools, crèches and growth of teaching quality, creation of transportation opportunities for children to go to school, creation of labs and opening a class for the tourism branch will be Velipoja commune’s priorities.

Projects/Action steps Concrete steps/Notes By when

1. Construction of school in Mali Kolaj village

Situation appraisal Technical project Inclusion of this project in the list of priority objects for financing opportunities.

2006 – 2007

2. Reconstruction of schools in Ças, Baks Rrjoll

Inclusion of these projects to get financed by commune funds and Qark Council 2007 -ongoing

3. Construction of creches and kindergartens in all commune villages.

Situation appraisal Technical project Financing mechanism – collaboration with government and Qark Council, foreign donors Procurement and construction

2006 – 2010

4. Open a tourism branch nearby the high school

Make contacts with education directory 2006 – 2007

5. Supply schools with lab equipments.

Collaboration with the community, Education Directory, Qark Council, donors and association. 2006 – 2007

6. Enhance teaching quality. Continuous inspections by the Education Directory Professional growth of education staff Annual

Strategic Goal 2. Improvement of health system The existence of a single health center does not cover the health service needs of our residents. The commune’s priority will be the setting up of health centers in all commune villages. Being supplied with an ambulance to transport sick persons Projects/Action steps Concrete Steps/Note By when: 1. Reconstruction of health center in Gomsiqe

Reconstruction will be accomplished by utilizing commune funds and in collaboration with the community 2007

2. Construction of health centers in all villages.

Their accomplishment will be attained in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Qark Council, foreign donors with the community participation and with commune funds.

2007 -ongoing

3. Being supplied with ambulances to transport patients

Make contacts with the Ministry of Health and donors 2007

4. Health education and compilation of policies to prevent contagious diseases.

Meetings and trainings with the determined target groups on prevention of contagious diseases and non-contagious diseases, on family planning and sexual education on hygienic-sanitary conditions.

2007 -ongoing

5. Personnel professional growth and providing qualified services

Equipment of health center with necessary medical supplies. Continuous inspections by health inspectorate Continuous personnel trainings and increase number of doctors and nurses

Strategic goal 3: Improvement of social, cultural and sports life Improvement of educational and health systems is strongly connected to the development of social, cultural and sports life. That is why we aim at setting up cultural environments, sports grounds, relaxing environments, parks, an internet center, playground, artistic groups as well as the organization of sports, cultural and social activities.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Note By when:

1. Set up a library in Velipojë village

Situation appraisal – Commune Technical project Financing mechanism – collaboration with the community, Ministry of Education, Qark Council, foreign donors and commune funds Procurement and construction

2009 – 2010

2. Open an internet center nearby high school

The accomplishment of this project would enhance students’ interest to enter in the computer world and global development. Financing mechanism – donors and associations

2008

3. Establish a cultural center and commune’s artistic group in vilage Gomsiqe e Re

Establishment of the center would animate commune’s social life and highlight cultural values and this zone’s tradition The group set up will be attained on volunteer bases and inhabitants’ professional artistic skills

2008 -ongoing

4. Set up sports grounds for youths

Animation of youths life is strongly connected to the construction of sports centers Situation appraisal Financing mechanism – collaboration with the community, foreign donors and commune funds

2007 – 2009

5. Set up playgrounds for children and relaxing environments for the elder people

Situation appraisal Financing mechanism – collaboration with the community, foreign donors and commune funds 2007 – 2010

Priority area: Good governance

Good governance and democratic society should be set up based on the democratic institutions. For this reason the administration and Velipoja Commune Council is being directed towards the principle of maximum openness to the public. The administration will aim at encouraging the participation of inhabitants, interested groups or even of the associations in the decision-making process. A priority won’t be just providing the

appropriate information to the community but as well as getting information from the community. in order to convert this information into a factor of good governance, we have the set the golas of enhancing transparency, local administration professional skills, creating optimum working

conditions, increase representation level of people elected by the people, strengthening communication among the local government and community as well as getting community’s critical opinion on the commune performance.

Strategic Goal 1: Enhance community’s participation in decision

Strategic Goal 2: Professional qualification of the administration and commune council -making

Professional qualification of administration and commune council is another goal of good governance

and direct communication with the community and other interested groups. Organization of trainings and

seminars on transparency, ethic code, way of providing services and information, provision with the

appropriate legal base will enhance employees’ professional skills.

Enhancing transparency and the involvement of target groups and associations in decision making is the main

priority. Collective meetings in commune or villages, getting a critical opinion and good progress of work, considering

public as a source of good ideas, preparing brochures and leaflets will be the steps to attain good governance.

Strategic Goal 3:Improvement of commune administration working conditions

Enhancement of transparency and work professionalism and giving the required information are closely connected to the improvement of working

conditions. That it why we aim at supplying all commune offices with computers and with the necessary logistical base, reconstruction of commune premises and creation of optimum conditions to welcome

inhabitants. Opening an information and social office for the public would enhance communication, collaboration and solve inhabitants’ problems.

Priority area: Economic Development 1.Enhance community participation in decision making

STRATEGY AND NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PLANS AFFECTING THIS PRIORITY FIELD

2.Professional qualification of administration and commune council 1. National Strategy of Social Economic Development STRATEGIC GOALS 3.Improvement of commune administration working conditions 2. Regional Strategy of Shkodra Qark Development O.S Action steps By when

Encouraging the community, target groups and associations to take part in decision making 2006 –ongoing Enhance transparency and provided information 2006 –ongoing Oraganizing collective meetings in commune and villages 2006 –ongoing

1.

Ongoing communication with media and associations 2006 –ongoing Trainings and seminars for the administration, commune council and villages’ reeves 2006 –ongoing Drafting the regulation of administration functioning and commune council 2006 – 2007 2.

Exchange experience with other communes of the Albanian coast and Ulqin commune 2006 -ongoing Equipment of all commune offices with computers and required logistic base 2006 Reconstruction of commune premise 2006 - 2007 Open social sector nearby the commune 2006 – 2007 3.

Open information bureau for the public nearby the commune 2006 – 2007 O.S Indicators Actual 2005 Target 2006 Target 2008 Target 2010

1. Percentage of inhabitants interested in decision making and how many take part in local governance 31,6 % 35 % 45 % 60 % 1. 2. Percentage of inhabitants responding positively to information usefulness. 58 % 65 % 75 % 88 %

O.S Indicators 1. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the behaviour of the commune emplyees’ behaviour. 39,4 % 45 % 65 % 85 %

2. 2. Percentage of inhabitants satisfied with the performance of services in general.

36,3 % 40 % 55 % 75 %

Strategic Goal 1: Increase community participation in decision-making Enhancing transparency and the involvement of target groups and associations in decision making is the main priority. Collective meetings in commune or villages, getting a critical opinion and good progress of work, considering public as a source of good ideas, preparing brochures and leaflets will be the steps to attain good governance. Projects/Action steps Concrete steps/Note By when

1. Encourage the community, target groups and associations to take part in decision making.

Public participation is utilized as a source of good ideas Participation points out the inhabitants’ abilities that could be commune’s employees or the future elected candidates Public participation supports the policies and decisions the commune council issues Place nearby commune a mailbox where inhabitants could hand in their opinions written in anonymous form.

2006 -ongoing

2. Enhance transparency and the providing of information

Organization of seminars on the information right (URI, GTZ, USAID, QZHDI) Publishing of decisions, ordinances, tariffs in the commune center

2006 -ongoing

3. Designing brochures, leaflets and newsletters

The commune with its funds and assistance of associations could perform the edition of brochures and leaflets for commune budget, administrative measures for violators, rates on service performance etc. Periodical publication of commune newsletter.

2006 –on going

Strategic Goal 2. Enhance professional qualification of administration and commune council Professional qualification of administration and commune council is another goal of good governance and direct communication with the community and other interested groups. Organization of trainings and seminars on transparency, ethic code, way of providing services and information, provision with the appropriate legal base will enhance employees’ professional skills. Projects/Action steps Concrete steps/Note By when: 1. Trainings and seminars for the administration, commune council and villages’ reeves.

Make contacts with the Department of Public Administration, GTZ, URI, USAID etc Improvement of public service ethics, the way of providing information and performing qualitative services in time.

2006 -ongoing

2. Compilation of the regulation on administartion functioning and commune council.

Commune administration and USAID 2006 – 2007

3. Experience exchange Make contacts with the other communes of the Albanian coast. Contacts and exchange experience with the commune of Ulqin (Mali i Zi) 2006 -ongoing

Strategic goal 3: Improvement of the administration working conditions Enhancement of transparency and work professionalism and giving the required information are closely connected to the improvement of working conditions. That it why we aim at supplying all commune offices with computers and with the necessary logistical base, reconstruction of commune premises and creation of optimum conditions to welcome inhabitants. Opening an information and social office for the public would enhance communication, collaboration and solve inhabitants’ problems.

Projects/Action Steps Concrete steps/Note By when:

1. Supply all commune offices with computers

Equipment of the offices will be done in collaboration with the Center for Development and Institutions’ Democratization QZHDI. 2006

2. Equipment of offices with other logistic materials

The commune with its funds and in collaboration with associations 2006 - 2007

3. Open an information bureau for the public

The opening of such an office is a necessity because enhances contacts of the commune administration with the community and opportunities to give and receive information. Submission nearby the Commune Council for approval.

2006 – 2007

4. Open the social sector

Different social problems, with disabled, invalids or blinds are another sector that needs to be added to the structure of commune’s administration. Submission nearby the Commune Council for approval Drafting of projects Collaboration with associations

2006 – 2007

4. Premises reconstruction Commune with its funds 2006 - 2007