Project / Program Title: “ALLEVIATION OF RURAL POVERTY PROJECT” |
Goal:
The project aimed at:
 Establishing and making operational the Rural Development Fund and testing of rural works methodologies and micro-loans, and
Alleviate the poverty in the poorest rural areas in Albania after the falling of the totalitarian regime, build the necessary capacities for the development of infrastructure and newly established local institutions by promoting rural development |
|
Project Description:
The project was identified by mid 1992, when the Albanian economy was going through a deep crisis as a result of the falling of the communist regime. In august 1992 the rural infrastructure works and the micro-loans were tested in several villages on the basis of the local traditions. The Project went through two stages:
Pre-pilot stage: August 1992 - April 1993;
Pilot Stage: April 1993 – May 1995. For the first time the project was based on a participatory process of the beneficiaries by adapting to the local conditions and by applying the model “learning by doing”. |
The main components of the Project are:
The works for the rehabilitation of the small rural infrastructure, (rehabilitation of rural roads, aqueducts, schools, health care centers, irrigation systems etc.), at an average of 18,000 USD per sub-project
The rural micro loans system, (providing of loans to the agriculture businesses mainly in connection to agriculture inputs, livestock, production equipment etc)
Veterinary support which aimed at supported veterinary prophylactic activities through the lending rural activity. |
Target groups:
The rural community of the poorest villages in Albania as well as other vulnerable groups such as children and women. |
Stakeholders involved:
World Bank, UNDP, European Community, Italian Government, French Government, Albanian Government, local governments, beneficiary rural community, RDF (ADF), construction companies. |
Budget: |
8 milion USD |
Duration: |
1992 – 1996 |
Other comments:
During the implementation of this Project, the areas of intervention expanded rapidly and the Financier through studies made an assessment of the impact of the activities conducted in these rural areas. As a result, February 1994 marked the beginning of the new World Bank Projec; “Urban Works and Micro enterprises Development Project”. The developments brought the change of the name of the Fund in February 1994. The Rural Development Fund became the “Albanian Development Fund” (ADF). |
