TROPOJA COMMUNITY Development Plan 2019 – 2021

1 Support by: NGO Toka

Contact: mob: +355 69 462 4502 email: gerta@toka-.org www.toka-albania.org FB: TOKAValbone Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021

Tropoja Community Development Plan 2019 – 2021

Produced by community members of Tropoja, Albania, working in collaboration with local NGO TOKA as part of the Visegrad-funded project “Rural Community Engagement: A Voice for Tropoja” 2018. A special thank you to the Tropoja Community Stakeholder Forum members who actively contributed to this plan and its development: Aferdita Mirakaj, Aldon Vukaj, Alfred Selimaj, Aljona Halilaj, Ardit Brecani, Andon Brecani, Anila Hykaj, Arben Kerrnaja, Astrit Ismalaj, Bekim Demiraj, Besmir Lushaj, Blerina Shahinaj, Blerina Islamukaj, Catherine Bohne, Dardan Metaliaj, Dorjan Ismalaj, Edmira Selimaj, Eduart Hasukaj, Elez Sokolaj, Elvis Sokolaj, Enerik Demiraj, Enver Halilaj, Feride Rrahmani, Florent Metaliaj, Florjana Prengzaj, Gentjan Hajdarmataj, Gezim Demiraj, Gjyl Prengzi, Hedie Logu, Hysni Sokolaj, Ibrahim Demiraj, Idriz Malsija, Ismail Bucpapaj, Jah Metaliaj, Jetmira Gjyriqi, Jugerta Halilaj, Kasmet Ponari, Kosovare Zelaj, Kreshnik Sokolaj, Kujtim Sulaj, Liridon Mustafaj, Lulzim Logu, Mehmet Metaliaj, Merita Danaj, Nushe Halilaj, Paris Metaliaj, Petrit Zenelaj, Rajmonda Geci, Ram Metaliaj, Rudina Halucaj, Sajmir Selimaj, Sami Demiraj, Shaban Zenelaj, Shkelzen Metaliaj, Shkurte Gjoca, Shqipe Gjyriqi, Skender Dozhlani, Suela Trezhnjeva, Valdrin Selimi, Valentina Demiri, Valentina Nezaj, Viktor Sokolaj And a special thank you to the sponsors and partners of the “Voice for Tropoja” project, for your patience, encouragement, belief and support: Andrea, Danka, David, Fidusz, Igor, Krzysztof, Ola, Viola and Zuzana

A special thank you for contribution: Blerim Buçpapaj, Jugerta Halilaj, Rudina Halucaj, Blerina Shahinaj, Enerik Demiri, Liridon Mustafaj, Catherine Bohne, One Designs, .

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Abbreviations:

AKZM National Agency of Protected Areas BRD Balkan River Defence BSP Bear Sanctuary Prishtina BT Tropoja Municipality BW CEE Bankwatch Network CF Community Stakeholder Forum CHwB Cultural Heritage without Borders CSO Civil Society Organizations EP Ecopana ELAW Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide FEE Towards Sustainability Association GwF Grow with the Flow IU International Universities IVF International Visegrad Fund JtV Journey to KEERC Kosova Environmental Education and Research Center LV Lobo Ventura NjA Local Administration NGO Non Governmental Organization PA4NP Protected Areas for Nature and People PGN Polish Green Network PINS People in Need Slovakia PPNEA Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania TOKA The Organization to Conserve the Albanian Alps WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Adria ZAT Tropoja Education Office

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INTRODUCTION

This Development Plan for Tropoja was created by The plan been produced as part of the project local people, working together to forumulate our own “Rural Community Engagement: A Voice for Tropoja” united vision for a sustainable future. It is the result which took place throughout 2018, and was funded of consultations and workshops held throughout 2018 by the International Visegrad Fund, with project with numerous community members, across a range of partners from Slovakia (People in Need Slovakia), Czech interest groups, from around the region. The first plan Republic (CEE Bankwatch Network), Hungary (FFE of its kind, being community based and incorporating Towards Sustainability Association) and Poland (Polish the people’s desire for a sustainable future, it reflects Green Network) as well as TOKA. The project sought the developments and improvements – social, economic to “contribute to the sustainable livelihoods of rural and environmental – that the people of Tropoja want to communities affected by environmental degradation see happen over the three years starting in 2019. through their empowerment and the strengthened capacities of civil society, and to increase communities’ While we realize the plan may appear ambitious, many participation in decision-making.” of the activities listed already have committed partners. We furthermore believe that by investing in building the Tropojan community members were involved during skills and capacity of the people of Tropoja to meet the workshops and trainings conducted as part of the IVF challenges set in this plan, we can not only achieve these project with experts visiting from project partners; objectives and goals, but in doing so create exciting new during bi-monthly, open Community Forum meetings jobs and futures for the youth of our region. We will re- at the Community Center; and during village visits evalute our progress annually, and revise the plan based conducted by TOKA’s Stakeholder Liaison and outreach on our experience. officer who visited 17 villages around Tropoja as part of the WWF Adria funded “PA4NP” project. More than 150 The information collection and drafting of the plan people contributed their opinions and discussed their were overseen by local NGO ‘TOKA’ and the Tropoja vision for a sustainable future for Tropoja. Community Stakeholder Forum, working from the newly created (2018) Community Center in Bajram The plan will be distributed to existing partners, local and Curri, Tropoja. The mission of TOKA is “to protect and national decision makers, potential donors and of course promote the environmental, social and economic well- the people of Tropoja. We invite you to contact us if you being of the Albanian Alps,” and the organization is are interested in participating in, or contributing to, any strongly committed to principles of sustainability and of the activities mentioned. self-determination.

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THE TROPOJA CONTEXT Tropoja is a municipality of Albania located in the northeastern county of Kukes, bordering with (to the north) and Kosova (to the north east). It has a population of roughly 20,000 in a total area of 1,000 square kilometers. The population has been declining for the past 10 years due to urban flight. Half of the territory is extremely mountainous, while the south eastern portion includes a large and fertile valley. It is bounded by the hydroelectric lakes of Fierza and Koman to the south, which are formed by damming of the River in Fierza. Within the territory of Tropoja there are currently 3 protected areas: Valbona Valley National Park (8000 ha, IUCN II), Strictly Protected Area (3,000 ha, IUCN I) and The Nikaj-Mertur Nature Park (18,000 ha, IUCN IV). Gashi includes UNESCO world heritage European Beech Forest, and the whole area is part of the Emerald Network created under the Bern Convention. These three protected areas comprise 28% of the land territory of Tropoja. Since 2015 there has been a proposal in national government to combine these and other existing north Albanian protected areas into one large “National Park of the Albanian Alps.” Should this be realized, more than 50% of the territory of Tropoja would consist of legally protected areas.

Official estimates suggest that 25% of the population is living in the town center of , although this is hard to gauge due to the fact that many families move into towns in winter for access to schools, while still maintaining extended family homes in villages. In addition, most families have claim to summer pastures in high alpine meadows where flocks of sheep, goats and cows are still taken from June to September. Land ownership is often undocumented, with an estimated 75% of land ownership undefined or contested. This applies particularly to agricultural and grazing land. METHODOLOGY Workshops and Trainings Throughout 2018 the IVF and other projects working with the Community Forum sponsored workshops (sustainable development, the role of civil society, protected areas in economic development), events (the 2 day public “Discussion and Information Event” in March 2018, the museum exhibition in November 2018), trainings (photography and its uses), local school outings and study trips (Una National Park in Bosnia). 6 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 In all activities, participants were encouraged to learn about new ideas, and to think deeply about their own vision and dreams for the future. Community Forum Meetings Open ‘Community Forum’ meetings were held up to twice a month starting in April 2018. These meetings take place in the free Community Center space of TOKA’s offices in Bajram Curri. Although anyone can introduce any topic during meetings, each meeting has a theme, inviting speakers and addressing some matter which has been frequently raised by community members during other events and meetings. Themes so far have included: development opportunities, waste management, English language courses, the municipal budget, hydropower development, protected areas, etc. It was found that almost no one will attend meetings however from June to August as it is either too hot in town to linger or they are too busy on farms or in the Bjeshk. A total of 65 people participated in forum meetings during 2018. Village Visits Considering the limited resources, remoteness and pervading pessimism of the region’s communities, we did not want to rely only on those people living in Bajram Curri and/or willing and able to attend public meetings in town. The Stakeholder Liaison created by the PA4NP project (WWF Adria) therefore also visited 17 villages around Tropoja, meeting with locals and collecting data about wants and needs. Villages included: Gjelaj, Valbone, Dragobi, Çerem, Zogaj, Pac, Kepenek, Gri, Geghysen, , Sopot, Babine, Kerrnaje, Tropoje e Vjeter and Shipshan. Thirty percent of these villages are inside protected areas. From these visits 80 questionnaires were collected in 2018.

It is interesting to note that although we asked questions about both personal and community needs, 90%of respondents answered only in terms of community needs. Sixty percent of people surveyed felt that the most important needs were for water, electricity and better roads. The other 40% focused on the need to develop infrastructure and for capacity building, including the need for a regional dairy to process milk products, for various trainings (cuisine, foreign languages), the completion of a mill to grind flour, support to develop agricultural product marketing and distribution and the restoration of schools, historical religious buildings and village medical centers.

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Consultation with Local Authorities In the past, relationships between private communities and public authorities have been characterized by deep suspicion and distrust. In the past corruption was rampant, with the cultural strength of extended family structure and loyalties adding additional strong elements of nepotism. On the other hand, the fact that local governments and administrative agencies in Albania remain the lowest funded in Europe means that, even in the absence of corruption, they are often suffering from a lack of capacity and resources to actively address issues or develop solutions. Efforts were made to meet regularly with local municipality representatives and consider also the 5 year development plan announced by the Tropoja Municipality in 2017. The municipality has responded enthusiastically, stating that they have a need for “capacity building” as they feel challenged by lack of funding, lack of language skills to apply for funding, and lack of training. Careful effort has been made to include staff members from the Regional Agency of Protected Areas in all activities, strengthening ties between local communities and protected areas staff. Consultation with Civil Society Organizations Whenever possible, effort was made to draw on resources and representatives from respected civil society organizations and NGOs, both locally and from around Albania. Experts from foreign institutions were also invited to visit whenever possible. The TOKA-managed Community Center in Bajram Curri has provided a free space for local CSOs to meet and collaborate, often focusing on special interests such as literature, traditional culture or local environment.

ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND CURRENT SITUATION The people of Tropoja believe that their land is rich: “People say we are poor, but we are not! We have this land, the beauty and riches of its nature. We are rich in minerals and agricultural possibility. We have the chestnuts, blueberries, apples, plums. And we could offer the best . But we are not in control. We have no power to develop anything, and the government is against us.” Societal Health Tropoja is socially divided between 3 ‘lifestyle’ regions: Town, Village and Bjeshk (summer alpine farms). The people born and raised in the Town of Bajram Curri (established 1952) had an evolved social life until the anarchy of the 1990s, with a cinema, theater, weekly concerts, sports teams and a tradition of ‘neighborhood parties’ in which each week a different neighborhood cooked food and welcomed people to visit. All of these resources and traditions have currently lapsed. The ‘town’ is generally perceived to be ‘flooded’ by people from villages who, not having experienced these activities in the past, do not think to re-invent them. Villages in Tropoja are actually extended family units, the village often taking the name of the family (and vice versa). As such, they do not tend to have any public spaces or buildings, other than a school and possibly a small and informal café where people (usually men) can take coffee. Social life consists of dressing up to visit your cousins, most of whom you’ve seen several times already on any given day. The Bjeshk or summer pastures are located above 1200m and generally accessible only on foot. The spring and autumn migration of families and large livestock flocks are an annual spectacle. These summer farms or “stans” are usually without any electricity or telephone signal, comprising very basic stone structures with the roofs being constructed and removed each year (heavy snows in winter would collapse the roofs). They may consist of a single isolated ‘stan’ with one immediate family (usually however at least 3 generations), or may be 8 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 comprised of clusters of 10 or more stans, and support several hundred head of livestock. Although this life could seem – and often is – harsh, it is also perceived locally as extremely healthy, and locals are very proud of it, as the ability to survive this way gives rise to extreme strength and self-sufficiency. Tropoja was until recently one of the most remote and inaccessible areas in Albania, itself a historically isolated country for much of the 20th century. The area only became easily accessible by road in the past 5-10 years with the opening of the Kukes highway and foreign-funded regional road improvement programs. Telephones only began to function in the past 10 years with the installation of mobile antennas, and many villages and alpine areas still have no signal. Regarding education, in the OECD PISA Assessment of 2000, “Albania scored the second lowest out of the 41 participating countries, with only 9% of its students performing at a level designated as proficient” (UNICEF). The poor level of education is accompanied by a lack of access to information and exposure to new ideas. A recent UN report states that less than 1% of rural communities (approx. 35% of the country) have access to internet. A history of rampant government corruption has led to widespread pessimism which may manifest as anything from hopelessness to apathy to fear. Traditional culture which gives precedence to the immediate and extended family, based on clan ties can also encourage a prevalence of insularity which discourages people to reach outside their clan for support or resources. Social challenges of concerns to us include: • Continuing youth and urban flight • Lack of employment opportunities • Erosion of traditional skills and cultural knowledge • Lack of trust in public institutions • Absence of cultural activities • Poverty and lack of assistance • Difficulty of communication • Lack of skills and capacity

Economic Situation In the early 1990s, Albania was the poorest country in Europe. In 2008 it was upgraded to “middle-income status,” although as of 2017, the GDP per capita is only US$ 4,544 (World Bank, 2018). While the economy of Albania improves, it is generally felt that improvements are failing to reach the rural areas where over 30% country’s population still lives. The Tropoja Municipality located in the far northeastern corner of the country is the poorest district of Albania, with the lowest GDP per capita of the country. Economic activity in Tropoja accounts for only 2.5% of the total national GDP. While unemployment hovers around 50% in Albania as a whole, in Tropoja the 20,500 inhabitants (2011 census) currently experience 79% unemployment (Tropoja Municipality figures). 75% of the population lives in rural communities, which face “significant challenges in terms of accessibility, quality of life and lack of basic infrastructure.” (Ecorys PEFA, 2017). Of registered businesses, 19% are hotels and restaurants, while 5% are agricultural businesses. 52% are shops are shops and car repairs in the main town of Bajram Curri (Ecorys PEFA, 2017). The main employers are the municipality (providing jobs for policemen, teachers, doctors and nurses) as well as mining concerns in the eastern part of the region (mostly chrome). An estimated 60% of the population continues to live from sustainable agriculture, with almost every family still maintaining livestock and a small vegetable garden. Starting in 2005, small scale family tourism began to offer a chance of economic independence to locals (UNDP KRTEP, 2008).

9 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 According to local people, international development agencies and the local government, tourism is considered to be the great economic hope of Tropoja. Albania is the 25th most visited country in Europe, and was named #1 destination by Lonely Planet in 2011. In 2016, National Geographic declared the Valbona Valley National Park of Tropoja as “one of the nine best places in the world to enjoy the outdoors” and since 2010 Valbona has been one of the top 3 tourism destinations within Albania. In 2008, UNDP estimated that local tourism had begun to grow at an astounding 30% per year (UNDP KRTEP, 2008), and the Municipality’s development plan is almost entirely based on the unspoiled natural beauty of the area, with nature-based tourism as the economic driver for the foreseeable future.

Resources of the community which can be the basis for development include: • Outstanding natural beauty • High level of cultural and historical interest • Agricultural crops and products meet ‘Organic’ standards (fruit trees, honey, dairy, etc) • Wealth of naturally occurring plants with high value (chestnuts, medicinal herbs, mushrooms, blueberries, etc) • Established tourism interest • Large population eager for employment We identify the following as weaknesses which prevent local people from pursuing economic improvements: • No developed area for selling local goods and products or promoting services • Inability to connect with potential customers • Lack of coherent and enforced planning vision and standards • No promotional information or materials other than those produced by private businesses • No opportunity to develop without foreign/outside donors • No packaging of local products and failure to meet health standards • No access to national and international supply chains • Agricultural monopolies (blueberries, chestnuts, etc) • Lack of industrial infrastructure to support agricultural production 10 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021

Natural Environment Tropoja contains the south eastern limit of the Albanian Alps which are an extension of the Dinaric Alps originating in Slovenia and running southeast in a corridor no wider than 40km. They are deeply fragmented and often inaccessible. The mountain of Maja Jezerca (2691m) is the highest mountain in the range, and located within Valbona Valley National Park. The mountains are also home to Europe’s southern-most, low-elevation glaciers. The flora growing in the Albanian Alps constitutes 43 percent of the country’s total flora. The Alps are home to approximately 1,500 plant species, including 100 species of medicinal plants, a large number of relict and sub- endemic plant species, and 70 endangered and rare species. There are 40 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 135 species of birds including the golden eagle, rock and hazel grouse, woodpeckers including the black and the white-backed, and Western capercaillie. The Beech forests and mountain slopes support large populations of brown bear, wolves, wild boar, roe deer and chamois. Unfortunately, the current high biodiversity and unspoiled nature are largely the result of the historic isolation of the area, and with increased access and exposure the threats of habitat destruction, indiscriminate road construction into previously virgin areas and unsustainable mining, hydropower and other industrial developments threaten to degrade the very nature which is the area’s greatest asset. The previously mentioned lack of education and exposure to new ideas means that the local population remain dangerously unaware of the long-term threats of habitat and waterway degradation, as well as the perils of poor waste management and climate change. There is for example a dangerous perception by local government that the more asphalt roads which are created in wilderness areas, the more tourism will benefit. Nature is still generally perceived as an endlessly forgiving and infinitely renewable resource. We believe our nature resources are currently under serious threat due to: • Mismanagement of resources by government authorities • Problems in waste management leading to growing pollution • Uncontrolled road development • Illegal logging • Illegal or poorly planned hydropower developments • Unsustainable mining operations • Lack of public participation in environmental decision making • Failure to enforce existing legislation to protect natural resources • Protected areas do not have any zoning or management plans • Failure to confirm the National Park of the Albanian Alps

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OUR COMMUNITY VISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TROPOJA

We define successful development as a process which will create a healthy and economically viable future for our children and all the generations to come, without destroying or consuming our existing environmental and social resources and which allows the positive evolution of our traditional culture. Our Goals In order to achieve this vision, we identify 5 goals: 1. Improve economic benefits from tourism 2. Improve economic benefits from agriculture 3. Identify, document and promote community resources 4. Increase collaboration within local community 5. Increase active and effective community voice in decision-making 1. 1. Improve economic benefits from tourism

Almost every household offers something which is of potential interest to tourists. This could be a glimpse of traditional life through hospitality, and/or access to pristine landscapes through local knowledge of paths and points of interest. It could be homemade produce including dairy – cheeses and yogurts – jams and preserves, hand-spun wool, woven carpets, knitted socks, etc. Tourism can also increase the potential for people to earn through related and secondary services: as transportation providers, by selling produce to local restaurants, serving as guides, renting horses, etc.

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There are two large and different groups of potential tourists: Foreign and Domestic. In general, foreigners are more interested in nature activities (including camping and hiking, birdwatching, etc) requiring relatively little infrastructure investment, and are more enthusiastic about ‘unspoiled’ traditional life. Albanian and Kosovar tourists tend to be more enthusiastic about fancy hotels and restaurants, although they increasingly want to have access to a (brief) experience of what they see as their cultural heritage, and increasingly regret the growing prevalence of building and development being done with no seeming coherent planning or aesthetic vision and continuing difficulty of obtaining local produce. The immediate challenge is to connect local providers with these tourists. How can an isolated village woman sell her beautiful hand knitted socks to the Swiss architect and his wife visiting a ‘fancy’ hotel in Valbona? How can a family with several horses entice the German family who want to go horse trekking to leave Valbona NP and visit Pac, a place with no tourism promotion at all, but beautiful places to go trekking? How can the man with a 4x4 connect with tourists who want to hire him for an outing? How can a Kosovar from Prishtina buy 5 kilos of homemade cheese before driving home at the end of a weekend visit? Community Shop and Tourism Center: The first, easy solution is to create a large and attractive, centrally located retail space an information center in Bajram Curri. Local people will be welcome to sell their products, to advertise itineraries, hospitality offerings, services and generally promote their vision of tourism. People with an idea of a business or cottage industry can use the shop as an ‘incubator’ to test the marketability of their ideas, beginning immediately to realize a profit before committing to registering their own business. Efforts should be made to use traditional and natural materials, ensuring that the retail space is attractive and reinforces the message that what the region is proud of and proudly offers is tradition, as well as a deep understanding – and history – of living with nature. Young people will be hired to welcome tourists, representing Tropoja and at the same time improving their language and computer skills. By working together they will naturally grow to be collaborative, with a common vision, laying the ground work for a future generation of mature Tropojans used to working together. Journey to Valbona website (www.JourneytoValbona.com): The next important objective is to connect tourists with the products and services offered in and through the Community Shop and Tourism Center, particularly foreign tourists who currently account for over 75% of economic profits from tourism in Albania (WTTC, 2018). The first version of the website JourneytoValbona.com was launched in 2010, as a modest blog offering information about Valbona Valley, and promoting the guesthouses and restaurants of one small village in the valley. In the absence of any other reliable source of online information, by 2018 it has grown to the be one of the most popular tourism websites in all of Albania, receiving over 12,000 hits per month during the tourism season, almost entirely from foreigners.

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We can build on this already established resource by completely redesigning the site to function as a platform representing the whole community, and offering a wide range resources for tourists. While tourists can continue to access free information to help plan trips, in a “Plan, Book or Buy” section accommodations can be listed, as well as services, itineraries, handicrafts, with the ability to make reservations and pay online. Improve range and quality of products and services: Once these two basic measures are taken, over time steps can be taken to invest in developing a more sophisticated – but still authentic – tourism in Tropoja. Through education, exposure to new ideas, training and capacity building, tourism can be grown to provide more access to economic benefits for more people.

2. Improve economic benefits from agriculture Tropojans see that we are producing some of the most profitable organic products in Albania: particularly chestnuts, wild blueberries, mushrooms and medicinal and culinary herbs as well as traditional agricultural products like apples and plums. “Due to the area’s height above sea level, as well as its microclimate, fruit trees are generally grown without the use of chemical sprays or fertilizers, meaning that the fruit produced is of organic quality” (GIZ, Cabra project). At present however, local people profit from these only through the most minimal fees for collecting. Trucks arrive from Tirana and buy up the produce for a minimal price per kilo, and the lucrative resale profits all go to private individuals and monopolies, often from outside the region. Meanwhile, people with apple orchards say that their fruit is rotting on the ground, as there is nothing they can do with it. In order to bring profits from this resource back to the people we identify two long term objectives. Create needed infrastructure: The community proposes to work together with municipal authorities, local agricultural associations and financial aid donors to design and implement a series of projects which can provide needed technology and facilities for all the community to profit from local production. For example, one much desired project is the creation of a communal dairy. Almost every household in Tropoja is producing milk, whether from cows, sheep or goats. This milk and its dairy by-products – cheese, yogurts and butter – are recognized to be of the highest, organic quality, and much in demand by urban and weekend Kosovars, but there is nowhere visitors can currently find such items, nor are the products produced for home consumption adhering to any health and safety standards. All of the contributors to this plan felt that communities should share access to production and marketing facilities, not that only one person should profit from them. Find new markets: As with tourism, it is no good having things to sell, if you have no one to sell them to. Therefore we will work slowly and carefully to create new ways to sell things, using as many ideas and models as we can find, from creating a weekend ‘farmer’s market’ for domestic and Kosovar weekend visitors to buy local produce to take home, to creating local branding, to reaching out to foreign wholesale markets.

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3. Identify, document and promote community resources We believe that it is crucial that we begin to document what we have, whether it is cultural traditions (food recipes, songs and history) or natural resources (like biodiversity), in order to know what we have, tell other people about it, and protect it from disappearing. Document village traditions: This is important in order to protect our traditions, increase our own interest and pride in them, and be able to show them to tourists. Document natural resources: This is important in order to protect and manage our resources, whether we are talking about water or wildlife. We have seen that when we are unable to document our nature, we cannot argue effectively that it should be protected against bad developments. But in addition, because nature is our greatest asset, we need to make sure it is healthy, and carrying out monitoring programs not only lets us know what is happening, but can train local people, preparing them for create good jobs in the future in protected areas. By knowing where special birds or plants can be found, we can also bring tourists from special “enthusiast” groups like birdwatchers, etc. Promote traditional culture locally. There is a challenge for Tropojans is to learn to see our lives and homes, our daily activities, as interesting and beautiful, and to think about how visitors might enjoy accessing or participating in this life. We do not want to forget who we are, so that our culture can evolve, rather than be replaced. We want to raise enthusiasm and enjoyment of our traditions, not only for tourists and guests who may be interested, but for our own youth and generations to come. 4. Increase collaboration within local community We want to have a strong, mutually supportive community which protects all the people of Tropoja and which is able to work together successfully. Strengthen associations and networks: Because isolation was a traditional problem, both from the outside world but even from each other, we want to work together and reach out even across borders to regional partners. We want to increase our knowledge and experience in order to make better decisions, based on a more sophisticated experience. We are excited to increase ties with neighboring states, building a network of mutuality and collaboration, learning from each other, particularly focusing on binding regional protected areas together. Demonstrate the positive results of cooperation: By working successfully together, we will grow confidence, capacity and trust.

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5. Increase active and effective community voice in decision-making Until now, the main protection of Tropoja was its isolation, but as the area has become easier to visit over the past 20 years, we have felt that decisions were being made and actions taken which we neither wanted nor were asked about. We must begin to have a strong voice in deciding what happens in Tropoja. Ensure that the community has the skills and capacities needed in order to participate: We need to be better informed, to know our rights and responsibilities, and to know how to be involved in decision making. In order to do this there are some resources we need: access to information, the ability to communicate, and support from experts when needed. Tropojans until recently were almost entirely uninformed about active legislation, our legal rights and opportunities, or resources and recourse. Ironically, the local battle against hydropower development which began in 2016 has led to a rapid rise in education and information levels. We have learned of our right to public participation under the Aarhus convention and through other active legislation such as the laws on environmental impact assessments, as well as our right to elect village representatives. Ensure that public participation is effective: Although the law describes how public consultations should be publicized, in fact this does not seem to happen. We need to reach out and participate, claim our rights and interact with decision makers. We want both an increase in the amount of protected land as well as an improvement in the management of existing protected areas. There are still no accepted or governmentally approved management plans for protected areas in Tropoja, and thus existing plans for community involvement through mechanisms such as stakeholder councils are not accessible. Local people should be empowered to lobby for more and stronger laws, including a “veto” right on harmful development schemes, and to increase penalties when our rights are denied. Strong pushes should be made to resolve the existing 75% of land ownership conflicts. When land ownership is clarified, it will be much harder for land to be expropriated and abused.

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Goal 1: Improve economic benefits from tourism Objective 1: Selling point created Community Col- Activity laborates with Activity Starts Input required Act 1.1.1: Create a tourism shop in central Seed funds to earn location where goods can be sold and services TOKA, JtoV, PA4NP 1Q/2019 back during tour- can be advertised ism season Act 1.1.2: Inform community of opportunity Outreach by staff, TOKA, PA4NP, NA, and collect products 1Q/2019 transport, support JtoV, CF with packaging Act 1.1.3: Create cooperative financial model Accountant / tax JtoV, BT 1Q/2019 to manage goods expert Act 1.1.4: Create promotional materials for Design & Printing JtoV & CF 2Q/2019 use in shop (maps, fliers) costs Objective 2: Tourists are informed of products and services Act 1.2.1: Create website to advertise shop, IT person to build TOKA, PA4NP, JtoV 1Q/2019 products and services website Act 1.2.2: Register local services (guesthouses, Staff IT person in guiding, itineraries) on website – description, TOKA, JtoV, PA4NP 2Q/2019 office to help peo- photographs, contacts ple register Act 1.2.3: Advertise shop and products 2Q/2019 Online outreach / through outreach to national tourism venues JtoV, CF distribution of Act (hotels, info centers etc) 1.1.4 materials Act 1.2.4: Promote local products through 3Q/2019 Research, Display promotional events (festivals, competitions) TOKA, JtoV, BT, CSO Equipment, Trans- port Objective 3: Range and quality of products and services is increased Act 1.3.1: Organize study Trips to see other TOKA, CF, CSO 4Q/2019 Hosts, Travel funds examples and successful projects Act 1.3.2: Conduct trainings for new and/or TOKA, PA4NP, Trainers and mate- 1Q/2019 improved skills CHwB, GwF rials Act 1.3.3: Create series of 4 month intensive TOKA, CF 4Q/2019 Project Funding English Language training courses Act 1.3.4: Create new tourism infrastructure: TOKA, PA4NP, BT, Research, volun- 1Q/2019 Kanali historical hiking trail AKZM, CF teers, materials Act 1.3.5: Develop new activities to expand Research, writing, tourism season (winter activities, outdoor JtoV, CF, TOKA 2Q/2019 translation, train- sports) ing, equipment Act 1.3.6: Create new tourism infrastructure: JtoV, TOKA, BT, CF, 3Q/2019 LV Project Funding Mucaj rock climbing wall LV Act 1.3.7: Create new tourism infrastructure: Research, Exhi- JtoV, TOKA, BT, CF, Tunnel Tours, history of communism exhibit/ 3Q/2019 bition Designer, CSO hike in tunnels under Barjam Curri Construction

17 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021

Goal 2: Improve economic benefits from agriculture Objective 1: Needed infrastructure is created Act 2.1.1: Produce study of current agriculture Researcher Ad- TOKA, PA4NP, CF, production (what, how much, how is it used) 2Q/2019 vice (collected in CSO, BT PA4NP) Act 2.1.2: Research needed infrastructure Industry Expert/ TOKA, CSO, BT, CF 2Q/2020 (storage, refridgeration, processing) Advisors Act 2.1.3: Work with community and munici- Community Center pality to draft project proposals and apply for TOKA, BT, CSO, CF 3Q/2019 Function funding Act 2.1.4: Construct infrastructure CSO, BT, AKZM, 2Q/2020 Project TOKA Act 2.1.5: Create retail packaging center meet- TOKA, CSO, BT 1Q/2021 Project ing health standards Objective 2: New markets are found Act 2.2.1: Establish relationships with new 1Q/2020 venues to sell wholesale (local, national and TOKA, CSO, CF Research, Econom- international) ic & Legal experts Act 2.2.2: Research other successful commu- nity models nationally (farmers’ collectives, lo- TOKA, CF 4Q/2019 Researcher cal product marketing, creative retail outlets) Act 2.2.3: Research health requirements of retail selling and create retail packaging Researcher, Gov. TOKA, CSO, BT 1Q/2020 Official

Act 2.2.4: Create sale points for retail products Support locals TOKA, CF, JtoV 1Q/2020 locally through CF Act 2.2.5: Create national distribution network CSO, TOKA 1Q/2021 Project of local products Act 2.2.6: Establish seasonal weekend ‘Farm- Online Publicity, BT JtoV, BT, CSO, TOKA 3Q/2021 ers Market’ to serve Kosovars Support Goal 3: Identify, document and promote community resources Objective 1: Village traditions are documented Act 3.1.1: Work with schools to create curricu- ZAT support, Uni- lum for training students to collect oral histo- TOKA, ZAT 3Q/2019 versity Advisor ries and traditions (ethnographic research) Act 3.1.2: Conduct simple ethnographic Students, Volun- studies of villages – document traditions (food TOKA, JtoV, ZAT 4Q/2019 teers Research recipes, local legends, historical information) Archive Act 3.1.2: Record oral histories and post to TOKA, CF, CSO, 4Q/2019 IT Support website created in 1.2.1 PA4NP Act 3.1.3: Create cookbook of local cuisine TOKA, CF, CSO, Authors, Design & 1Q/2020 PA4NP Printing Act 3.1.4: Create pocket guidebook to culture Authors, Design & 1Q/2020 of Tropoja Printing Objective 2: Natural resources are documented and monitoring is ongoing Act 3.2.1: Conduct scientific research TOKA, KEERC, Foreign & National ELAW, IU, PPNEA, 2Q/2019 experts, Research AKZM Funding

18 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021

Act 3.2.2: Support research projects by foreign Community Center TOKA, IU 1Q/2019 university students (high level degree theses) Resources Act 3.2.3: Institute monitoring programs, with BSP, KEERC, PPNEA, 3Q/2019 Project research collected by community members TOKA, CF Objective 3: Traditional culture is celebrated and popular Act 3.3.1: Organize workshops to learn tradi- TOKA, CHwB 2Q/2019 Partner with CHwB tional skills and certify craftspeople Act 3.3.2: Contribute to planning of existent TOKA, ZAT, JtoV, Community Center cultural celebrations (Opening of Tourism 2Q/2019 AKZM, BT, CF Resources Season, Sofra Dardanit) Act 3.3.3: Organize championship of tradi- Community Center TOKA, CSO, CF 1Q/2019 tional games (Kepuce, Mangala) Resources Act 3.3.4: Organize ‘Fashion Show’ inviting Designers, Vol- design of attractive clothing using traditional TOKA, CSO, ZAT, unteer Tailors, 4Q/2019 themes, elements and materials JtoV Models, Venue, Publicity Act 3.3.5: Organize regular community events Community Center TOKA, CSO, CF 1Q/2019 in Community Center Resources Act 3.3.6: Organize first annual Youth Festival TOKA, CSO, CF, ZAT 3Q/2019 Project Partners day Act 3.3.7: Organize first annual Tropoja Music TOKA, CSO, CF, BT, 2Q/2019 Project Partners Festival EP Act 3.3.8: Organize first annual Tropoja Art TOKA, CSO, CF 3Q/2019 Project Partners Festival Goal 4: Increase collaboration within local community Objective 1: Networks and associations are established and strengthened Act 4.1.1: Institute regular public meetings Community Center with local agricultural associations through TOKA, CSO, CF 4Q/2019 Resources Community Forum Act 4.1.2: Create strong regional network of Outreach campaign neighboring protected areas and municipali- TOKA, WWF, by CF Volunteers, 1Q/2019 ties with memos of understanding PA4NP, BT, AKZM Project funding for Travel Act 4.1.3: Establish resource and assistance center for other communities, to share lessons TOKA, WWF, CSO 3Q/2019 Project Funding learned in Tropoja Act 4.1.4: Increase participation in Community TOKA, PA4NP, CF 1Q/2019 PA4NP Project Forum Objective 2: Positive results of collaboration are demonstrated Act 4.2.1: Community members work with Community Center TOKA, CSO, BT, local NGOs draft, apply for and win project 4Q/2019 Resources, Trans- AKZM, CF fundings lation Act 4.2.2: Work with municipality to secure TOKA, CF, CSO, BT 1Q/2019 Joint Project funding for waste management improvements Act 4.2.3: Organize regular charity events to CF Volunteers, Lo- assist people in need cal Business Spon- TOKA, CF, CSO 2Q/2019 sors, Community Center Resources

19 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 Goal 5: Increase active and effective community voice in decision-making Objective 1: Community has necessary tools and capacity for participation Act 5.1.1: Create a community resource cen- Outreach to Na- ter for access to information about rights and tional Institutions, opportunities Legal Intern, Funds TOKA, PA4NP, CSO 1Q/2019 for printing and purchase of publi- cations Act 5.1.2: Create a free community internet TOKA, PA4NP 1Q/2019 Project and computer access center Act 5.1.3: Connect with young lawyers inter- Outreach and ested in working to support activism TOKA, ELAW 2Q/2019 Networking, Travel Costs Objective 2: Community participation is effective Act 5.2.1: Create information network for Research, Out- communicating public consultations TOKA, PA4NP, CF 3Q/2019 reach, Printing and IT Design Act 5.2.2: Promote local participation in public Communication TOKA, CF, BT, consultations through communication and 3Q/2019 network, funds to AKZM, NA, PA4NP transport support Transport Act 5.2.3: Institute local, monthly dialogue TOKA, CF, CSO, Funds for Travel 1Q/2019 events with national decision-makers WWF, PA4NP Costs

CONCLUSION The possibilities to successfully, sustainably develop Tropoja for the benefit of all are numerous. Modest infrastructure is already in place to begin to more successfully develop community based tourism. With just a small amount of support, Tropojans have the resources and skills to begin to develop profitable and possibly community-owned organic agriculture. With strengthening and enforcement of local people’s right to participate in decision making, the environment can begin to be successfully protected. With legal support to begin to force responses from the justice system, this protection can be enforced. Even from modest beginnings, social structures can be strengthened. With longer term support and investment the people will be unified to be an increasingly effective and positive force, believing in themselves and our ability to live and prosper in a way which protects our resources – social, environmental and economic – for all the future generations to come.

20 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 4Q 3Q 2021 2Q 1Q 4Q 3Q 2020 2Q 1Q 4Q 3Q 2019 2Q 1Q 2Q/2019 1Q/2019 1Q/2019 1Q/2019 1Q/2019 1Q/2019 2Q/2019 2Q/2019 3Q/2019 4Q/2019 4Q/2019 1Q/2019 2Q/2019 3Q/2019 3Q/2019 2Q/2019 2Q/2020 3Q/2019 Initiative Starts Initiative Create promotional materials for use in shop (maps, fliers) Inform community of opportunity and collect products Conduct trainings for new and/or improved skills Create a tourism shop in central location where goods can Create website to advertise shop, products and services Advertise shop and products through outreach to national Create new tourism infrastructure: Kanali Krasniqi Develop new activities to expand tourism season (winter Register local services (guesthouses, guiding, itineraries) on 1.2.2:

Goal 1:Goal Improve economic benefits from tourism 2:Goal Improve economic benefits from agriculture Objective 1: Selling point created point Selling 1: Objective Objective 2: Tourists are informed of products and services Objective 3: Range and quality products of and services is increased created is infrastructure Needed 1: Objective Act 1.1.3: Create cooperative financial model to manage goods Act 1.1.4: Act 1.1.2: Act 1.3.2: Act 1.1.1: Act 1.2.1: Act Act 1.2.3: Act 1.2.4: Promote local products through promotional events (festivals, competitions) Act 1.3.1: Organize study Trips to see other examples and successful projects Act 1.3.3: Create series of 4 month intensive English Language training courses Act 1.3.4: Act 1.3.5: Act 1.3.6: Create new tourism infrastructure: Mucaj rock climbing wall Act 1.3.7: Create new tourism infrastructure: Tunnel Tours, history of communism exhibit/hike under Bajram Curri Act 2.1.1: Produce study of current agriculture production (what, how much, how is it used) Act 2.1.2: Research infrastructure needed (storage, refridgeration, processing) Act 2.1.3: Work with community and municipality to draft project proposals and apply for funding be soldbe and services can advertised be tourism venues (hotels, info centers etc) historical trail hiking sports) outdoor activities, website description, – photographs, contacts

21 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 1Q/2021 1Q/2020 1Q/2020 1Q/2021 1Q/2020 4Q/2019 1Q/2020 3Q/2021 3Q/2019 4Q/2019 4Q/2019 1Q/2020 1Q/2019 3Q/2019 2Q/2019 2Q/2019 1Q/2019 2Q/2020 2Q/2019 with foreign experts foreign with Create national distribution network of local products Create sale points for retail products locally Create pocket to culture guidebook of Tropoja Create retail packaging center meeting health standards Establish relationships with new venues to sell wholesale Research health requirements of retail selling and create Establish seasonal weekend ‘Farmers Market’ to serve Organize workshops to learn traditional skills and certify Organize championship of traditional games (Kepuce, Goal 3:Goal Community resources are identified, documented promoted and Objective 2: New markets are found traditions village Document 1: Objective Objective 2: Document natural resources locally culture traditional Promote 3: Objective Act 2.2.5: Act 2.2.4: Act 3.1.2: Record oral histories and post to website created in 1.2.1 Act 3.1.3: Create of cookbook local cuisine Act 3.1.4: Act 2.1.4: Construct infrastructure Act 2.1.5: Act 2.2.1: (local, national and international) Act 2.2.2: Research other successful community models nationally (farmers’ collectives, local product marketing, creative retail outlets) Act 2.2.3: retail packaging Act 2.2.6: Kosovars Act 3.1.1: Work with schools to create curriculum for training students to collect oral histories and traditions (ethnography) Act 3.1.2: Conduct simple ethnographic studies of villages – document traditions (food receipes, local legends, historical Act 3.2.1: Conduct scientific research Act 3.2.2: Support research projects by foreign university students (high level degree theses) Act 3.2.3: Institute monitoring programs, with research collected by members community Act 3.3.1: craftspeople Act 3.3.2: Contribute to planning of existent cultural celebrations (Opening of Tourism Season, Sofra Dardanit) Act 3.3.3: Mangala)

22 Tropoja Community | Development Plan | 2019 - 2021 1Q/2019 3Q/2019 2Q/2019 3Q/2019 1Q/2019 4Q/2019 4Q/2019 1Q/2019 3Q/2019 4Q/2019 1Q/2019 2Q/2019 1Q/2019 1Q/2019 2Q/2019 3Q/2019 3Q/2019 1Q/2019 regular public meetings with local agricultural

Organize regular community events in Community Center Increase participation in Community Forum Organize ‘Fashion Show’ inviting design of attractive Create strong regional network of protected neighboring Create information network for communicating public Institute local, monthly events dialogue with national Goal 4: collaboratively is working Community Goal 5:Goal Increase active effective and community voice in decision-making Objective 1: Strengthen associations and networks and associations Strengthen 1: Objective Objective 2: Demonstrate positive results of collaboration participation for capacity and tools necessary has Community 1: Objective is effective participation Community 2: Objective Act 3.3.6: Organize first annual Youth Festival day Act 3.3.7: Organize first annual Tropoja Music Festival Act 3.3.8: Organize first annual Tropoja Art Festival Act 3.3.5: Act 4.1.4: Act 4.2.3: Organize regular charity events to assist in need people clothing using traditional themes, elements and materials areas and municipalities with memos of understanding consultations decision-makers Act 3.3.4: Act 4.1.1: Institute Act 4.1.2: Act 4.1.3: Establish resource and assistance center for other communities, to share lessons learned in Tropoja Act 4.2.1: Community members working with local NGOs draft, apply for and win project fundings Act 4.2.2: Work with municipality to secure funding for waste management improvements for access to center Act resource 5.1.1: a community Create information about rights and opportunities Act 5.1.2: Create a free community internet and computer access center Act 5.1.3: Connect with lawyers young interested in working to support activism Act 5.2.1: Act 5.2.2: Promote local participation in public consultations through communication and transport Act 5.2.3: associations through Community Forum

23 Reference:

BT Development Plan, 2017: http://tropoje.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Draft-Raport_PPV-Bashkia-Tropoj%C3%AB_FIII.pdf Ecorys PEF, 2017): https://pefa.org/sites/default/files/AL-Tropoja%20Municipality-Mar17-PFMPR-SN-Public%20with%20PEFA%20Check.pdf Invest in Albania, 2018: https://invest-in-albania.org/tropoja-chestnuts-blueberries-albanian-products-creating-brands/ PISA update 2017: https://www.unicef.org/albania/sites/unicef.org.albania/files/2018-10/2017ALB_Underinvestment_in_education-al.pdf UN Maps Report, 2018: http://www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/MAPS_Report_web.pdf UNDP KRTEP, 2008: https://info.undp.org/docs/pdc/Documents/ALB/00057247_70649%20Kukes%20Region%20Tourism%20and%20 Environment%20Promotion%20Prodoc.pdf Wikipedia, 2019: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropoje World Bank, 2018: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/overview World of Meters, 2019: http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/albania-population/ World Travel & Trade Council, 2018: https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2018/albania2018. pdf WWF Adria, 2015: The PA4NP Project (Protected Areas for Nature and People) http://www.wwfadria.org/en/what_we_do/protected_ areas/pa4np/