VLORA REGIONAL VLORA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCYDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

(R.D.A)(R.D.A)

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

The RDA serves the business community in the Districts of The RDA serves the business community in the Districts of Vlore, Himara, Delvina and Saranda.Vlore, Himara, Delvina and Saranda.

It supports the economic development, particularly the SME It supports the economic development, particularly the SME development in the south-west region of Albania.development in the south-west region of Albania.

Receives ongoing training and technical assistance Receives ongoing training and technical assistance (with EU Phare SME through GTZ, EU & USAID projects)(with EU Phare SME through GTZ, EU & USAID projects)

MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT

To contribute as co-leader, working alongside the local To contribute as co-leader, working alongside the local business community, international donors, and local business community, international donors, and local

authorities and NGOs, to improve the business authorities and NGOs, to improve the business climate and encourage economic development in the climate and encourage economic development in the

region through the implementation of joint-effort region through the implementation of joint-effort coordination programs, and to act as a cross-sector coordination programs, and to act as a cross-sector

resources center.resources center.

RDA’SRDA’S OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES

TTo o develop its capacity as a leading center in its region through develop its capacity as a leading center in its region through providing training's, counseling services and information to providing training's, counseling services and information to business community, NGO-s, government etcbusiness community, NGO-s, government etcTTo o advise and support companies and NGO-s in their approach advise and support companies and NGO-s in their approach with a view to participating in community program’s or activities with a view to participating in community program’s or activities or to resolve difficulties in implementing community or to resolve difficulties in implementing community TTo o create a network of partners enabling the exchange of create a network of partners enabling the exchange of information on national and regional legal and regulatory information on national and regional legal and regulatory provisions, and their implementation procedure, which are of provisions, and their implementation procedure, which are of direct, interest to social economic development of Vlora Districtdirect, interest to social economic development of Vlora District ..

LEGAL STATUSLEGAL STATUS

Vlore RDA was founded on September 30, Vlore RDA was founded on September 30, 1998 as a non-governmental, non-profit, non-1998 as a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political organization. It was registered as a political organization. It was registered as a

foundation at the court of Vlora in accordance foundation at the court of Vlora in accordance with Albanian Law.with Albanian Law.

CONSULTING, TRAINING & CONSULTING, TRAINING & INFORMATIONINFORMATION PROCESSESPROCESSES

RDA consultants offer assistance in different fields of business RDA consultants offer assistance in different fields of business and agriculture such as:and agriculture such as:

Technical standards (EUREPGAP, HACCP etc.); Technical standards (EUREPGAP, HACCP etc.); Tax problems; Marketing; Finance;Tax problems; Marketing; Finance; Business plans and feasibility studies; Business plans and feasibility studies; Economic Policy issues; Economic Policy issues; Business registration; Business registration; Tourism sector; Tourism sector; Public administration and local government; Public administration and local government; Social and economic surveys; Social and economic surveys; Anti-Corruption strategies; Anti-Corruption strategies;

CITIES WHERIN THE R.D.A CITIES WHERIN THE R.D.A HAS BEEN PRESENT WITH HAS BEEN PRESENT WITH

ITS ACTIVITIESITS ACTIVITIES

VloreVlore HimaraHimara DelvinaDelvina SarandaSaranda

Fier Fier LushnjeLushnje MallakasterMallakaster GjirokasterGjirokaster

COOPERATION COOPERATION WITH WITH

FOREIGN PROGRAMSFOREIGN PROGRAMS

(PROJECTS)(PROJECTS)

WORLD BANK (2008)WORLD BANK (2008)

Project titleProject title” the social-economic services for vulnerable groups and ” the social-economic services for vulnerable groups and Establishment of necessary infrastructure premises and human capacities Establishment of necessary infrastructure premises and human capacities development training”development training”

The objectiveThe objective was to create opportunities for employment, education and was to create opportunities for employment, education and qualifications of women in need and young people. Moreover, creating a qualifications of women in need and young people. Moreover, creating a positive image for the women in need, and establishing a Data Base for positive image for the women in need, and establishing a Data Base for unemployed women and young people in needunemployed women and young people in need

AchievedAchieved through trainings, consultancy, technical assistance, cases study, through trainings, consultancy, technical assistance, cases study, round tables, surveys, workshops, conferences, informing, education, group round tables, surveys, workshops, conferences, informing, education, group discussion, sportive activities, traveling exchange culture, visits in discussion, sportive activities, traveling exchange culture, visits in businesses, practice in real businesses, employment possibilities internshipbusinesses, practice in real businesses, employment possibilities internship

TrainedTrained and Indicator; and Indicator;300 young people and women in need.300 young people and women in need.

INDICATOR INDICATOR 1.Creating a positive image for women in need, and helping them to contribute to 1.Creating a positive image for women in need, and helping them to contribute to

society through; Debates with education , to hepled them to express make decision society through; Debates with education , to hepled them to express make decision and contribute to raise the voice at Vlora’s municipalityand contribute to raise the voice at Vlora’s municipality

2. Improving skills in order to encourage self employment as a route for integration 2. Improving skills in order to encourage self employment as a route for integration into society through 10 young people and women intership in businessesinto society through 10 young people and women intership in businesses

3.organising trainings and providing services; Capacity Building 3.organising trainings and providing services; Capacity Building - Cooperation wit the Lokal Government for Capacity Building,- Cooperation wit the Lokal Government for Capacity Building, 4.Assisting the target group in loan applications to the microcredit institutions; 4.Assisting the target group in loan applications to the microcredit institutions; 5.Created a local database for unemployed women and young people in need; 5.Created a local database for unemployed women and young people in need;   6. Building mutual relationships between civil society and local government6. Building mutual relationships between civil society and local government ; ; - Cooperation about strategy composition for regional development- Cooperation about strategy composition for regional development - Round Tables for SKZHSE(National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development and - Round Tables for SKZHSE(National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development and

MunicipalityMunicipality

TRAINING VULNERABLE GROUP TRAINING VULNERABLE GROUP & CONSULTING BUSINESSES & CONSULTING BUSINESSES

TERRE DES HOMME’STERRE DES HOMME’SINCOME GENERATING (2007-09)INCOME GENERATING (2007-09)

The objectiveThe objective was the technical assistance for Roma Community in Vlora i.e. was the technical assistance for Roma Community in Vlora i.e. “Income “Income generating”.generating”.

ActivitiesActivities and Impact and Impact involvedinvolved training about start-up business and the fulfillment of the training about start-up business and the fulfillment of the application form for loan for 40 beneficiaries, refer of them to Opportunity Albania, the application form for loan for 40 beneficiaries, refer of them to Opportunity Albania, the

preparation of simple Business plan and after care of businesses for 22 clients.preparation of simple Business plan and after care of businesses for 22 clients. --Training about start-up business for 40 beneficiariesTraining about start-up business for 40 beneficiaries

-Fulfill Aplication form for loan for 40 beneficiaries-Fulfill Aplication form for loan for 40 beneficiaries -Refer of them to Opportunity Albania 40 beneficiaries-Refer of them to Opportunity Albania 40 beneficiaries -Preperation simple Business plan 22 c-Preperation simple Business plan 22 c -After care of businesses 22 clients-After care of businesses 22 clients -22 beneficiaries benefited credit and 22 jobs created-22 beneficiaries benefited credit and 22 jobs created  

SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT AND SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE(SBCA) – USAID ASSISTANCE(SBCA) – USAID

(2002-07)(2002-07) The objectiveThe objective was the technical assistance for SME’s sector thought was the technical assistance for SME’s sector thought

training and consulting particular farmers and producers in the southwest training and consulting particular farmers and producers in the southwest district includingdistrict including

Activities Activities involved the development of a comprehensive database of more involved the development of a comprehensive database of more than 800 business clients and introduced practices and than 800 business clients and introduced practices and achievements including: management and entrepreneurship; quality achievements including: management and entrepreneurship; quality improvement and management; packaging and labeling; cost analysis; improvement and management; packaging and labeling; cost analysis; enterprise developmententerprise development; ; business plan preparation and so on.business plan preparation and so on.

Performance IndicatorPerformance Indicator: A number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture : A number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors (70% of enterprises) attributed to RDA, numerous and agribusiness sectors (70% of enterprises) attributed to RDA, numerous enterprises assisted in non-agriculture production sectors (30% of enterprises assisted in non-agriculture production sectors (30% of enterprises) attributed to RDA, and a great number of production sector enterprises) attributed to RDA, and a great number of production sector borrowers achieved positive cash flow RDA/SBCA and so forth.borrowers achieved positive cash flow RDA/SBCA and so forth.

Performance Indicator:Performance Indicator: Number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors (70% of Number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors (70% of

enterprises) attributed RDA. Number of enterprises assisted in non-agriculture enterprises) attributed RDA. Number of enterprises assisted in non-agriculture production sectors (30% of enterprises) production sectors (30% of enterprises)

Number of production sector borrowers achieving positive cash flow Number of production sector borrowers achieving positive cash flow Number of loans extended to agriculture, livestock, and non-agriculture SMEsNumber of loans extended to agriculture, livestock, and non-agriculture SMEs Number of full-time employment positions loans and trainingNumber of full-time employment positions loans and training Increase in client sales 20%Increase in client sales 20% Number of businesses trained in credit and loan application procedures Number of businesses trained in credit and loan application procedures Find market to export for watermelon farmers particulare producer (olive oil , meat Find market to export for watermelon farmers particulare producer (olive oil , meat

processerprocesser Encouraged consumers to purchased local goods by packaging and labeling particular Encouraged consumers to purchased local goods by packaging and labeling particular

fruit and vegetable fruit and vegetable We have done transparency and engage in a dialogue with business community and We have done transparency and engage in a dialogue with business community and

local government ( tax office, agriculture department , communes ) about demands for local government ( tax office, agriculture department , communes ) about demands for invest more to product development invest more to product development

PARTNERSHIP HONEY DAY FAIR PARTNERSHIP HONEY DAY FAIR IN VLORA WITH SBCA/USAIDIN VLORA WITH SBCA/USAID

PACKING AND LABALING PACKING AND LABALING ASSISTANCE (SBCA/RDA)ASSISTANCE (SBCA/RDA)

TRAINING & CONSULTING TRAINING & CONSULTING IN SARANDA’s FARMERSIN SARANDA’s FARMERS

SORROS (2004)SORROS (2004) Project titleProject title: Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government : Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government

StructureStructure

The objectiveThe objective was involving the active women in community decision was involving the active women in community decision making (Vlora RDA is contributing hard toward improving the social and making (Vlora RDA is contributing hard toward improving the social and political equality between women and man). political equality between women and man).

These effortsThese efforts include the strengthening of women leadership, the women include the strengthening of women leadership, the women mobilization to vote and run for elections, as well as holding public mobilization to vote and run for elections, as well as holding public officials accountable. officials accountable.

ActivitiesActivities involved the development of working group, the organization of involved the development of working group, the organization of public meetings with women forums of parties, developing and running the public meetings with women forums of parties, developing and running the advocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local decision making advocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local decision making structures to increase the women participants in local election 30%structures to increase the women participants in local election 30%

Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government structures program was target women with leadership structures program was target women with leadership potential and helped them to become active leaders and potential and helped them to become active leaders and

change change The program applied the following principlesThe program applied the following principles Select 15 participants who are strongly motivated to change society and Select 15 participants who are strongly motivated to change society and

committed to transfer skills to other womencommitted to transfer skills to other women Require participants to develop a strategy applied the training and set Require participants to develop a strategy applied the training and set

realistic goals and actions to make it happenedrealistic goals and actions to make it happened Link the participants with local stakeholders (local government, political Link the participants with local stakeholders (local government, political

parties and media) helped them and t supported for their initiative to parties and media) helped them and t supported for their initiative to actively participate in local decision making actively participate in local decision making

Provided participants with opportunities to network with others and become Provided participants with opportunities to network with others and become involved actively in local developmentinvolved actively in local development

Activities:Activities: Development of working groupDevelopment of working group Organization of public meetings with women forums of partiesOrganization of public meetings with women forums of parties Developing and Running the advocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local Developing and Running the advocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local

decision making structures to increase the women participants in local election decision making structures to increase the women participants in local election 30%30%

-identification of focal points at local decision making structures-identification of focal points at local decision making structures -developing a strategic communication -developing a strategic communication -organization and implementation of the activities-organization and implementation of the activities Do a series of activities to increase the awareness of public on the participation Do a series of activities to increase the awareness of public on the participation

of women in local decision making processof women in local decision making process -development of the strategy to communicate with local media-development of the strategy to communicate with local media -development of broadcasting on the initiative -development of broadcasting on the initiative - Participatory and Women; refer or strategies skills used to influence decision –- Participatory and Women; refer or strategies skills used to influence decision –

making processes in the public and social arenas to eliminate inequalities between making processes in the public and social arenas to eliminate inequalities between women and women and menmen

CIVIL SOCIETY REDUCTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY REDUCTION OF CORRUPTION IN CORRUPTION IN

ALBANIA-MSI/USAID (2002)ALBANIA-MSI/USAID (2002) The main objectiveThe main objective was to establish a private-public sector was to establish a private-public sector

partnership to fight corruption in Vlora by increasing the partnership to fight corruption in Vlora by increasing the transparency and accountability of the local government, helping transparency and accountability of the local government, helping citizens in addressing their concerns, providing information to citizens in addressing their concerns, providing information to the citizen in understanding the government and its programs, the citizen in understanding the government and its programs, facilitating the communication between parties.facilitating the communication between parties.

ActivitiesActivities involved the establishment the Vlore Business involved the establishment the Vlore Business Coalition against Corruption, provided applications forms on Coalition against Corruption, provided applications forms on different services, established a complain procedure and different services, established a complain procedure and analyzed the data, provided the local taxes calculations and tax analyzed the data, provided the local taxes calculations and tax licensing, and complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.licensing, and complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.

Activities and Indicator;Activities and Indicator; Establishing the Vlore Business Coalition against Corruption to Establishing the Vlore Business Coalition against Corruption to

cooperate with the municipality and the business community cooperate with the municipality and the business community Providing the applications from on different services (request, Providing the applications from on different services (request,

necessary documents, etc.)necessary documents, etc.) Establishing a complain procedure and analyzing the data;Establishing a complain procedure and analyzing the data; Local taxes calculations;Local taxes calculations; Providing the tax licensing;Providing the tax licensing; Complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.Complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.

    

Reduce Corruption in Tax Policy Reduce Corruption in Tax Policy and Administration: and Administration:

Limit tax officials' personal interaction with taxpayers Limit tax officials' personal interaction with taxpayers Upgrade technical expertise and improve procedures by Upgrade technical expertise and improve procedures by

providing training and manuals to tax collectors, providing training and manuals to tax collectors, Improve transparency and facilitate public scrutiny of Improve transparency and facilitate public scrutiny of

procurement procedures procurement procedures Create a better and more efficient legal tax environment Create a better and more efficient legal tax environment

Expected Results: Expected Results: Increase the tax collected by the Large Taxpayers Increase the tax collected by the Large Taxpayers Reduce from 32 to 13 the percentage of firms stating that Reduce from 32 to 13 the percentage of firms stating that

bribery in tax collection is frequent bribery in tax collection is frequent

SURVEY OF SME NEEDS FOR SURVEY OF SME NEEDS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPEMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPEMENT SERVICES IN VLORA (2003)SERVICES IN VLORA (2003)

Vlore RDA acted as local business consultant managing the survey aimed Vlore RDA acted as local business consultant managing the survey aimed at evaluating the demand for business development services (BDS).at evaluating the demand for business development services (BDS).

The survey was focused on two categories of business services: The survey was focused on two categories of business services: Consultancy and Training.Consultancy and Training.

ActivitiesActivities included identifying SME demand for BDS and SME’ included identifying SME demand for BDS and SME’ awareness of BDS providers; the level of usage of BDS; and, SME’ awareness of BDS providers; the level of usage of BDS; and, SME’ willingness to pay for BDS Services (BDS). willingness to pay for BDS Services (BDS).

TRAINIG ON BUILDING NGO & LOCAL TRAINIG ON BUILDING NGO & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COOPERATION – USAID GOVERNMENT COOPERATION – USAID

(2000)(2000) The objectiveThe objective was the establishment of specific and adequate was the establishment of specific and adequate

structures within the city hall which in turn will increase the structures within the city hall which in turn will increase the transparency, responsibility and accountability of city officials as well transparency, responsibility and accountability of city officials as well as will increase the governance in general. On the other hand it will as will increase the governance in general. On the other hand it will help on having a better-informed public, which will be supportive to help on having a better-informed public, which will be supportive to local governmentlocal government

The main purposeThe main purpose was to assist the municipal officials and NGO was to assist the municipal officials and NGO representatives to understand the role of the Vlore Municipality in representatives to understand the role of the Vlore Municipality in local economic development by focusing on understanding the local economic development by focusing on understanding the conditions of the city; developing partnerships among community conditions of the city; developing partnerships among community stakeholders; and, involving citizens in economic development issues. stakeholders; and, involving citizens in economic development issues.

Goals Goals 1.The strong point of this project is:1.The strong point of this project is: The process of designing such a plan was an inclusive one, creating a The process of designing such a plan was an inclusive one, creating a

structure of public private partnership called Citizen Economic structure of public private partnership called Citizen Economic Commission. In this regard such a partnership will help further in not only Commission. In this regard such a partnership will help further in not only improving the functioning of the informationimproving the functioning of the information

Acitivities;Acitivities;The main purpose of the Project was to helped municipal The main purpose of the Project was to helped municipal officials and NGO representatives to understand the role of the Vlore officials and NGO representatives to understand the role of the Vlore Municipality in local economic development by:Municipality in local economic development by:

-focusing on understanding the conditions of the city; -focusing on understanding the conditions of the city; -developing partnerships among stakeholders in the community; and, -developing partnerships among stakeholders in the community; and, -Involving citizens in economic development issues-Involving citizens in economic development issues

GTZ’S CREDIT, MICROFINANCE GTZ’S CREDIT, MICROFINANCE AND SME DEVELOPMENT (1998-99)AND SME DEVELOPMENT (1998-99)

Vlore RDA conducted preliminary research and focused on the Vlore RDA conducted preliminary research and focused on the provision of its business consultancy services.provision of its business consultancy services.

Activities includedActivities included: : improving access to credit for SMEs; improving access to credit for SMEs; preparing business plan for clients; preparing business plan for clients; assessing the institutional capacity of organizations involved assessing the institutional capacity of organizations involved

in SMEs; in SMEs; reviewing the constraints of existing finance schemes; reviewing the constraints of existing finance schemes; strengthening access to credit; and,strengthening access to credit; and, Designing and delivering an SME Policy training course.Designing and delivering an SME Policy training course.

CONSULTING IN VLORACONSULTING IN VLORA

EC PHARES’S SME EC PHARES’S SME DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA

(1992-95)(1992-95) Financial assistance for SMEs was through a credit facility at the Savings Financial assistance for SMEs was through a credit facility at the Savings

Bank of Albania. This involved bringing together those government and Bank of Albania. This involved bringing together those government and non-governmental organizations which were important for regional non-governmental organizations which were important for regional economic developmenteconomic development

Activities includedActivities included: :

Delivering seminars on business planning, marketing and Delivering seminars on business planning, marketing and entrepreneurship;entrepreneurship;

Creating an SME Policy Unit at the Vlore Municipality; Creating an SME Policy Unit at the Vlore Municipality; Establishing the first co-operation with U.S. Peace Corps business Establishing the first co-operation with U.S. Peace Corps business

volunteers; volunteers; Fostering SME development of Vlore region, by providing quality Fostering SME development of Vlore region, by providing quality

business knowledge, training and services, and counseling business knowledge, training and services, and counseling Carrying out market research through examining new investments, Carrying out market research through examining new investments,

product, and market product, and market opportunities; opportunities;

CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID

(1996)(1996) ImplementedImplemented by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI)

under the SMEDA Project.under the SMEDA Project.

Target GroupTarget Group: Municipality officials, Vlore NGOs, : Municipality officials, Vlore NGOs, media, business community and students.media, business community and students.

CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID

The objectiveThe objective was to raise and answer questions such as: was to raise and answer questions such as:

Why is citizen participation important? Who are ‘the public’? Why is citizen participation important? Who are ‘the public’? What are the effects of openness? and, What are the methods of Participation ? What are the effects of openness? and, What are the methods of Participation ? Information on city services delivered to the city (costs, issues, initiative, Information on city services delivered to the city (costs, issues, initiative,

projects, etc.)projects, etc.) Announcing all the decisions and regulations issued by the mayor and other Announcing all the decisions and regulations issued by the mayor and other

departments, publishing and distributing the bulletin/newspaper of departments, publishing and distributing the bulletin/newspaper of municipality, etc.municipality, etc.

The structures of local government in the city, their responsibilities and their The structures of local government in the city, their responsibilities and their services.services.

Information on local NGOs and their activities, on environmental issues, Information on local NGOs and their activities, on environmental issues, citizens’ initiatives and other similar things;citizens’ initiatives and other similar things;

Procedure to register a new business in the city;Procedure to register a new business in the city; Public- interest advocacy involving professional lobbyists, mediaPublic- interest advocacy involving professional lobbyists, media Participatory and Women Participatory and Women

R.D.A FUTURE OBJECTIVESR.D.A FUTURE OBJECTIVES

To increase the effectiveness, strengthen the To increase the effectiveness, strengthen the cooperation and enhance the professionalism cooperation and enhance the professionalism

towards fulfilling the RDA mission i.e. towards fulfilling the RDA mission i.e. contributing as co-leader, working alongside contributing as co-leader, working alongside the local business community, international the local business community, international donors, and local authorities and NGOs, to donors, and local authorities and NGOs, to

improve the business climate and encourage improve the business climate and encourage economic development in the regioneconomic development in the region

Vlora RDA Donors and PartnersVlora RDA Donors and Partners World Bank World Bank Terre des hommes, Swiss child rights organization, operating to fight child traffickingTerre des hommes, Swiss child rights organization, operating to fight child trafficking Network RDAsNetwork RDAs Municipality of Vlora,SarandaMunicipality of Vlora,Saranda SBCA –USAUD, RDA was subcontractor, SBCA –USAUD, RDA was subcontractor, MSI-USAID anti-corruption project , RDA was subcontractor ,MSI-USAID anti-corruption project , RDA was subcontractor , SMEDA-USAID SMEDA-USAID PMU Italian Project PMU Italian Project Peace Corps through collaboration with VolunteersPeace Corps through collaboration with Volunteers EU “PHARE Program EU “PHARE Program GTZ Germany ,RDA was subcontractor,GTZ Germany ,RDA was subcontractor, UNDP/UNOPS;a UNDP/UNOPS;a EOMMEX –Greece; EOMMEX –Greece; USA Peace Corps VoluntaryUSA Peace Corps Voluntary ILO Turin ItalyILO Turin Italy

THANK YOUTHANK YOU