ERALD LAMJA FOR USAID.

PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA Women, Peace & Security (WPS): Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis in the Municipality of Pogradec

SEPTEMBER 2019 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech.

PREPARED FOR THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, USAID CONTRACT NUMBER AID-182-C-12-00001, ALBANIA PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT (PLGP).

THE GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC WAS CONDUCTED BY CREATIVE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS (CBS) IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE USAID PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT (PLGP) / WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY (WPS).

CBS WORKING GROUP: LIANA SULEYMANOVA; ELJO MUCAJ; ALIS MUSTAFA;

ERGENT PIRE; ENI ALMETA; PRANVERA GUXHO

PLGP INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE: GRANIA MACKIE - EXPERT IN GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

COVER PHOTO: FIELD VISIT IN POGRADEC.

TETRA TECH ARD CONTACT: SARAH LEDDY SENIOR ADVISER/MANAGER [email protected]

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PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY (WPS) Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis in the Municipality of Pogradec

DISCLAIMER This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Tetra Tech and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables ...... ii

List of Figures ...... ii

List of Abbreviations ...... iii

Rationale ...... 1

Methodology ...... 1 Method / Approach ...... 1 Methodology: Sector Selection ...... 2 Methodology: Research Limitations ...... 3

Context ...... 4 National Context on Gender Equality ...... 4 Pogradec: General Background...... 5

Value Chain Analysis ...... 11 General Evaluation Based on Criteria/ SWOT Analysis ...... 11 Maps of the Selected VCs ...... 21 Value Chain Actors ...... 24 Research Findings & Opportunities for Women Empowerment in the Selected VCs ...... 25

Action plan ...... 31 Suggested Intervention Recommendations for the Municipality of Pogradec ...... 31

Bibliography ...... 35

Annexes ...... 35 List of Surveys ...... 35

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC i LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Cultural and natural monuments in Pogradec ...... 10 Table 2. Ranking and selection of value chains using Gender-Sensitive Criteria: Municipality of Pogradec ...... 11 Table 3. Assessment of women’s empowerment and gender equality in the Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 12 Table 4. Assessment of women’s empowerment and gender equality in the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 14 Table 5. Assessment of women’s empowerment and gender equality in the Honey Production Value Chain ...... 15 Table 6. Women empowerment opportunities in the Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 17 Table 7. Women empowerment opportunities in the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 18 Table 8. Women empowerment opportunities in the Honey Production Value Chain ...... 18 Table 9. SWOT analysis of the Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 19 Table 10. SWOT analysis of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 20 Table 11. SWOT analysis of the Honey Production Value Chain ...... 20 Table 12. Recommendations for Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 31 Table 13. Recommendations for Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 32 Table 14. Recommendations for Honey Production Value Chain ...... 32

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Methodological Approach ...... 2 Figure 2. Businesses in Pogradec ...... 7 Figure 3. Youth unemployment in the Administrative Units of Pogradec ...... 7 Figure 4. Identified Value Chains ...... 9 Figure 5. Mapping of the Handicrafts Production Value Chain ...... 21 Figure 6. Mapping of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 22 Figure 7. Mapping of the Honey Production Value Chain...... 23 Figure 8. HACCP Certification Steps ...... 25 Figure 9. Opportunities of the Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 25 Figure 10. Constraints of the Handicrafts Value Chain ...... 26 Figure 11. Opportunities of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 27 Figure 12. Constraints of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain ...... 28 Figure 13. Opportunities of the Honey Production Value Chain ...... 29 Figure 14. Constraints of the Honey Production Value Chain ...... 30

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC ii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ARDA - Agriculture & Rural Development Agency BDS - Business Development Service CBS Creative Business Solutions CEMR - Council of European Municipalities and Regions FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization GoA - Government of Albania GSVCA - Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis GIZ - German International Development Agency HACCP - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point standard ILO - International Labour Organization INSTAT - Institute of Statistics of Albania ISO - International Organization for Standardization MARD - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development NFA - National Food Authority NGO - Non-governmental Organization NSAPGE - National Strategy and Action Plan on Gender Equality PLGP - Planning and Local Governance Project TAR - Territorial and Administrative Reform UNDP - United Nations Development Programme USAID - United States Agency for International Development VC - Value Chain WPS - Women, Peace & Security

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC iii RATIONALE The goal of the Planning and Local Governance Project’s (PLGP) Women, Peace & Security (WPS) activities is to build community resiliency and sustainability through activities that will contribute to the prevention of social exclusion, violent extremism, radicalization, marginalization, recruitment and conflict with a primary focus on women and girls as robust agents of peace and stability through a two-pronged, bottom-up implementation approach, while also strengthening host country capacity to perform these activities at the local, national, and regional levels. The project recognizes the importance of gender equality for sustainable economic and social development and women’s roles in building community resiliency and sustainability. This activity (under Component 3 of the PGLP project) is embedded in: 1. The project objectives of preventing and countering violent extremism, and supporting the social, economic, and political opportunities of women and girls in 6 municipalities1. 2. The project objective of pursuing economic inclusion activities for women through value chain analyses on selected value chains to identify opportunities for upgrading and diversification, the needs of those most vulnerable at specific stages within it, thereby improving market access for women in the (often informal) economy. This assignment speaks directly to these objectives by supporting the economic empowerment of women and promoting gender equality at the same time as upgrading in selected value chains (VCs) in the Municipality of Pogradec. The activity supports the capacity building of local value chain actors and support functions to be able to better sustain gender-sensitive value chain development.

METHODOLOGY

METHOD/APPROACH The study was conducted by Creative Business Solutions (CBS) with the support of the PLGP Expert in Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis, Grania Mackie, in the framework of the PLGP project and its main objective was to first, identify the main sectors in the Municipality of Pogradec, presenting opportunities for economic growth and development, as well as evaluate the women’s involvement in the processes and their chances of empowerment, and second, to narrow down to the value chains with the most potential for development, as well as giving recommendations about specific measures that would increase women’s role and eliminate gender-biased initiatives. The methodology used is a qualitative one, combining both secondary and primary sources. Secondary sources include the consideration of different reports and data which were mainly gathered from official publications and statistics of the Institute of Statistics in Albania, Municipalities reports, Regional Councils reports, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, as well as data and information obtained from previous studies and projects conducted in the relevant field. Municipality reports, (mainly Strategic and Operational Plans, i.e. “General Local Plan of the Municipality of Pogradec– Development Plan, 2016-2031”; “Integrated Development of Municipality of Pogradec”, and study of the municipality on Evaluation and Priorities) were especially valuable in understanding the general economic structure of the area, and municipal vision for ensuring sustainable economic development. During the subsequent evaluation of the value chains in the tourism and agriculture sectors, the methodologies considered were “Market and value chain analysis of selected sectors in Albania for

1 Bulqizë, Cërrik, Dibër, Kamëz, Librazhd, and Pogradec.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 1 diversification of the rural economy and women’s economic empowerment” (FAO 2018), and “Chapter 4: Value Chain Mapping Tool” and “Module 11: Sustainable Value Chains” (GIZ) served as a reference during the designing of the value chain mapping.

METHODOLOGY: SECTOR SELECTION Primary sources, i.e. field research was used for the sector selection and includes group consultations and brainstorming sessions with the municipality representatives, producers and experts and was divided into two phases. In the first phase, preliminary assessment of the value chains took place, having discussions and meetings with the municipality representatives, producers, participants from supporting organizations, and the project’s field coordinators, to identify the opportunities of the value chains. This phase was concluded with the organization of a Working Group session, during which participants had the chance to bring up additional details, opportunities, constraints and get a clear view and understanding of the value chains and during which the Handicrafts, Traditional Food Products, and Honey Production value chains emerged as the primary focus areas. The participants of the Working Group actively participated in identifying all the elements of each link of the value chain and also discussing the constraints/ stakeholders/ women’s role in different parts of the process. In the second phase, on-site visits, observation of the activities, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with tailored questionnaires for different actors in the value chain were conducted, specifically: with a female producer of traditional food products (and with other women informally employed there), located in the village of Leshnicë, and a honey producer (and members involved in the activities) located in the administrative unit of Buçimas.

Figure 1. Methodological Approach

Overall, the process followed these steps: 1. Objectives & Target Group: Establishment of objectives based on national and municipal goals (i.e. Improving livelihoods and promoting gender equality) and definition of the target group and criteria of selection: a. Target group: Low-income women and men at a municipal level;

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 2 b. Criteria: the importance of the sector in creating livelihoods for women and men; 2. Municipal Scope: The initial municipal scoping and desk research, based on plans, strategies, previous studies, etc.; 3. Main sectors: The identification of the main sectors through the assessment of different reports, data, and publications; 4. Working group sessions: Development of Working Group Sessions regarding gender-sensitive value chain analysis, and identification of issues, challenges, opportunities, and suggested solutions; 5. VC Evaluation: Evaluation of the main value chains belonging to the sectors selected through brainstorming, discussions, focus-groups; 6. VC Selection: Selection of one main value chain and assessment of opportunities, constraints, and areas of interventions through field research; 7. Recommendations: Provision of recommendations on the improvement of the value chain for the municipality and on the intervention options for the PLGP project.

METHODOLOGY: RESEARCH LIMITATIONS The focus of the present study is the practical analysis of the main value chains in the Municipality of Pogradec, looked through a gender lens. One of the biggest problems that arose in the course of this research is the scarcity of secondary sources (other GSVCA analyses). The majority of value chain studies available in Albania represent more straightforward local economic development analyses rather than assessment with the focus on women’s livelihoods. This study will attempt to fill the existing gap in the literature on the topic. Conceptually, implementing gender-sensitive value chain analyses can sometimes be problematic. The research findings are often general and depending on the goal (improving women’s livelihoods or otherwise, empowering women), could lead to the intervention scenarios that aim at economic development rather than on improving the situation of women per se. The goal of this study is therefore to provide the Municipality of Pogradec as well as the PLGP project with practical recommendations that affect the population of the selected municipality as a whole that would consequently lead to the betterment of the conditions of women in the municipality. The Working Group session as well as the interviews conducted represent the sample size of the study and might be considered too small (the assignment length – about 1 month). However, the use of municipal strategic documents, as well as the research on the ground, supported the hypothesis that the trends observed could be considered representative of groups of people to whom results will be generalized or transferred. Lastly, there is a lack of reliable statistical data when it comes to the Albanian case. Due to the high degree of informality in the sector and the conflicting methodology when it comes to the statistical estimations used by local authorities and INSTAT, the results of the desk research (when it comes to main sectors/ value chains) often didn’t coincide with the results obtained during the working group session and interviews with stakeholders. Additionally, most of the data available are not segregated by gender.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 3 CONTEXT

NATIONAL CONTEXT ON GENDER EQUALITY Albania has developed a solid legal and institutional framework to promote gender equality and protection of women’s rights, for example: • The Albanian Constitution adopted in 1998 provides for and guarantees equality between men and women and the policy on equal opportunities and the prohibition of discrimination, among other causes, based on gender. (Article18). • The Law “On Gender Equality” was adopted in 2008. This law regulates the fundamental principles of gender equality, by requiring equal participation of women and men in all areas of life, the equal status between women and men, equal opportunities and chances to enjoy rights and fulfill obligations in society and obtain equal benefits from their achievements and developments. The law defines “gender-based discrimination” (Article 11). • The Law “On Protection from Discrimination” was adopted in 2010. According to this law, no one shall discriminate on any ground such as gender, race, color, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, political, religious or philosophical beliefs, economic, educational or social status, pregnancy, family affiliation, parental responsibility, age, family or marital status, civil status, place of residence, health status, genetic predisposition, disability, affiliation to a particular group or any other cause. • The National Strategy and Action Plan on Gender Equality (NSAPGE) adopted in 2016, where efforts are targeted at society of equal opportunities and free of violence, in which: needs of women and men are taken into consideration and addressed equally; women are respected, protected, promoted and supported to progress equally to men. Particularly relevant to this activity is Strategic Goal 1 of the NSAPGE: Economic empowerment of women and men. At a local level, promoting inclusion and equality is a component of legal and policy frameworks, which underline the obligations of local government units in the area of gender equality (UN Women, 2019). For example, the Law “On Gender Equality” elaborates on the need for promoting gender equality in local governance. Special units that are responsible for the presentation, supervision, and monitoring of performance and service, including gender equality. Efforts have been made by several municipalities to meet the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) regulations and EU standards, with a clear structure, priorities, responsibilities, and budgets that respond to the needs of women, men, girls and boys equally (UN Women, 2018). As a result of proactive laws, policies and programs, Albania has seen improvements in many aspects of gender equality, for example, in women’s role in private sector development. In comparison to 2016, the percentage of enterprises owned or run by women in 2017 has increased in all regions of Albania. However, successful decentralization and implementation of legal and development frameworks are still challenging, and the pace of change in women’s economic empowerment through private sector development is slow, especially for rural women. Gender norms, roles, responsibilities and gender bias in women’s access to productive resources (such as land, finance, networks, technology, and equipment) and business services mean that there is still not a level playing field for women and men in economic and social spheres. Some impacts of gender bias visible in Albania in economic empowerment through enterprise development are for example:

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 4 • In Albania, women own or manage only 28.5 percent of all enterprises, many of which are under- capitalized small and medium enterprises in highly informal lower value-added sectors (UN Women, n.d.). • Women are over-represented in Albania’s informal economy and as unpaid family workers in businesses and on farms. Over 50 percent of Albanian women work in agriculture – 87 percent of them in unpaid family jobs. Many rural women are not covered by basic social and enterprise services (FAO, 2018). • In Albania, more than 80 percent of the land titles are in the name of the ‘head of household’ or former ‘head of household’ (father-in-law, father or grandfather). Women in rural areas have limited information on land, access to extension services and perceive high levels of inequality in family decision-making and land rights compared with male members of the family (Zhllima, Edvin et al., 2016). As a rural area, Pogradec reflects the overall situation of rural women in Albania. Women play an important role in agriculture and rural development in Albania making up a significant share of the agriculture workforce, although in most cases informal. The agricultural sector employs more than 54 percent of all economically active women, 87 percent of who work as informal or family workers (FAO, 2016b). Female farm managers represent only 6.47 percent of the total number of farm managers. Although male and female farmworkers are quite comparable in number in the rural areas (224,639 males and 267,098 females), there is a large difference between men and women in terms of non-farm labor (UNDP, 2016). In family farming, there is a rigid gender-based distribution of tasks. Male gender roles are associated with tasks that involve control over agricultural assets, mobility and decision-making and female gender roles are associated with manual work in agriculture and livestock, including pre-harvest and post-harvest activities, food processing and household tasks. This distribution of labor has resulted in women's limited access to, and control over, agricultural assets and decision-making. Additionally, their access to extension service is very limited, only 10percent of beneficiaries of extension services are women (FAO, 2016b). Enabling agriculture business growth and fostering overall sector development would create better opportunities for women in rural areas and better chances for their economic empowerment.

POGRADEC: GENERAL BACKGROUND The Municipality of Pogradec is located in the southeast part of Albania, is part of Korçë region and is composed by 8 Administrative Units (AU), namely: Buçimas, Çërravë, Dardhas, Proptisht, Pogradec, Trebinjë, Udenisht, and Velçan. The total population of this municipality based on the 2011 Census is 61,530 inhabitants, while according to Civil Register the population is 90,976 inhabitants. The total area is 594.77 km2. There are a total number of 16,847 families in this municipality2.

2 CBS’s Assessment Report of the 6 Municipalities.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 5 As per PLGP’s Economic Profile on Pogradec and the draft National General Territorial Plan, Pogradec is considered part of a potential economic zone (Korçë-Pogradec) with opportunities for connection and exchange with the Tirana-Durrës economic zone. According to the territorial plan, Pogradec is considered a specialized center for nature-related tourism (lake) and agriculture. The main economic development sectors in the municipality are tourism (especially in Pogradec city) and agriculture in the administrative units. The inhabitants of the remote mountainous areas face challenges related to employment opportunities; men from the community often take advantage of seasonal employment in Macedonia (mainly construction) and fishing in the Lake throughout the year3. From the 1990s onwards, tourism has become the main pillar of economic development in the city and the surrounding areas. According to municipal data, the number of tourists, especially domestic ones, has tripled in the 5 years (2007-2012). Pogradec is noted for an array of bars, restaurants and comfortable hotels situated by the lakeshore, which employ a good percentage of the population. Pogradec counts 30 hotels with 716 rooms, which can accommodate 1,432 beds. The factors that have supported the tourism development are the improved road infrastructure, the landscape, and climate conditions, good quality of service, local products, traditional cuisine and the harmony that Pogradec city and people represent to visitors. While this sector is developing, the municipality has clear plans and objectives to promote the domestic economy serving this sector, so that tourism develops in an organized way rather than spontaneously. Of those employed, 44.8 percent are in the public sector to 55.2 percent in the private sector. There are 1,864 businesses in total in the Municipality of Pogradec, out of which 1,386 (72 percent) are small size businesses (service-related and coffee bars), 135 (17 percent) mid-size

3 PLGP Study: Municipality of Pogradec Mapping Assessment, June 2019, Unpublished.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 6 businesses and 343 (11 percent) large size businesses (trade, banks, hotels, cable TV, etc.). 63 percent of the total local businesses operate in the city. 223 businesses are managed (not owned) by women (12 percent). Businesses employing and/or managed by women are mainly related to the garment industry, from which the biggest employers are: AFM Distribution (80 women), Spanjeli (55 women) and Ama Dress (54 women). Paskal 2009, an olive processing company, employs 43 women. The other sector involving women in various capacities is the hospitality sector (guesthouses, hotels, restaurants). Figure 2. Businesses in Pogradec According to Census 2011, the unemployment rate is 35 percent, 6 points higher than the national average, which is at 29 percent. A recent Municipal study regarding the employment situation showed that this continues to be a problem, especially in the administrative units. According to this study, the unemployment rate in Buçimas and Udenisht Administrative Units is higher than 50 percent, especially among youth (see Figure 2 below). Almost 7 out of 10 youth reported being unemployed in the city and 9 out of 10 in the administrative unit on Udenisht.

90% 79% 79% 65% 47% 50% 35% 35%

Trebinjë Çërravë Dardhas Proptisht Pogradec Velçan Buçimas Udenisht

Figure 3. Youth unemployment in the Administrative Units of Pogradec Source: Municipal Study 2018 - Youth unemployment4 Employment in agriculture is the main source of income in some administrative units. In the administrative units of Proptisht, Trebinjë, Çërravë, and Dardhas, the percentage of employed people in agriculture varies from 58 percent to 68 percent of the total number of employees. The study did not contain gender- segregated data; however, the assumption can be made based on national statistics that over half of the employees in the agriculture sector are females. Almost 92 percent of the land surface (8,137 ha) of the municipality is agricultural land, from which 8 percent consists of fruit trees and vineyards. This determines somehow the structure of agricultural production. In general, the production of different plants in recent years is generally stabilized, but there is a huge increase in potatoes and vegetables. Grape production has risen especially in the Çërravë and Buçimas administrative units, which have the main weight of production. The traditional wine of Buti and the famous Perla and Moskat raki are traditional products of the Pogradec area. Also, the area is known for livestock production, including cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and bees5. Regarding the industrial sector, the draft Territorial Development Strategy states that this sector is not very well developed. There are nine mine processing facilities that process chromium, iron-nickel, and quartz. There are three hydropower plants, two of them located in Velçan and one in Proptisht. Mostly these industries employ a male workforce, however, the statistical employment data available at the

4 PLGP Study: Municipality of Pogradec Mapping Assessment, June 2019, Unpublished.

5 According to the Albanian legislature and the methodology used in drafting the Plan, the beekeeping as a value chain belongs to the livestock sub-sector.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 7 national level state that the share of women in the mining and energy sector is 12 percent and 19 percent respectively.6 The handicraft sector, which offers employment opportunities, especially for women in rural areas, has taken the first steps towards development and the municipality has to do more in this regard. GIZ through Nucleus Albania is currently supporting 20 local women with family businesses in town and village (Leshnicë), regarding handicraft and agri-food production. Nucleus Albania supports the empowerment of local women through capacity building activities, seed money and marketing, and promotion efforts. While employment strategies at the local level are almost non-existent, one of the challenges identified by the community is the need for strategic plans that would attract potential investors and encourage job creation. The municipality should find new ways to better manage the Lake and its products (fish is generally sold in the street lacking sanitary conditions). Pogradec fish processing and food processing factories, which will provide an opportunity for the employment of the residents in the area. All key sectors in the municipality were initially reviewed using Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis (GSVCA) criteria: • Is there a growing demand for the product? • Are women involved in the steps of the chain? • Are most steps of the chain based in the municipality? • Are there existing or recent past initiatives to build on in the value chain? • Are there opportunities in developing the chain? • Is there a link between what women are doing and prospects for growth/diversification in the value chain? The main sectors that came out as having the most potential for improving the livelihoods of women, promoting gender equality and value chain development were identified as follows: • Tourism: Cultural heritage and natural monuments • Traditional products • Handicrafts • Agriculture: honey production specifically

6 Source: Institute of Statistics of Albania (INSTAT).

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 8

Figure 4. Identified Value Chains From the interview with the Deputy Mayor of Pogradec, it became clear that tourism development in the area is among its most pressing strategic priorities (as well as creating one single tourism product for Pogradec that would link various interconnected value chains), more specifically oriented towards promotion of natural, historical and archaeological landscape (sustainable tourism as a viable option to promote economic well-being of the area and increase employment). For the agricultural sector, she suggested that promoting typical local products (food and handicrafts) and providing trainings to producers in rural areas, especially when it comes to livestock sub-sector and improvement of the quality of work process and production (efficiency) by introducing co-working spaces would be among the activities the municipality will be focusing on in the upcoming term. TOURISM: Tourism as a very important sector in the Municipality of Pogradec, especially in recent years, this sector has seen a rise in the flow of tourists. On one hand, road infrastructure, improved lake landscape, Pogradec climate conditions, quality service, local agricultural products, culinary traditions are important sources for Pogradec tourism. During the communist times, Pogradec used to be one of the most frequented areas for visitor traffic. Tourism was booming and the area was very developed. In the last couple of decades, the situation changed. Neighboring Municipality of Korçë saw a significant increase in both investments and visitor traffic, while the Municipality of Pogradec suffered a decrease in tourists due to outdated infrastructure and lack of a unified tourism strategy. In July 2019, the Albanian side of Ohrid Lake was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List and the investments have started to come in recent years. Water Supply and Wastewater Collection Systems project supported by Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and KfW have been completed and enabled access to clean water for villages in Pogradec Area. Albanian-American Development Fund (AADF) has designed a project that includes architectural and development plans for the area of Drilon- Tushemisht to make it an Eco-tourism destination. This project is aiming at encouraging further investments that enhance, promote and activate natural resources of protected that have been untapped, or underutilized. 7 There are various cultural monuments, such as Paleochristian church, Pogradec Castle, Illyrian Tombs of Selca e Poshtme, and different museums and mosques. Also, natural monuments, some of which are presented in Table 1 below:

7 https://www.aadf.org/project/eco-tourism-destination-albania-drilon-tushemisht/

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 9 TABLE 1. CULTURAL AND NATURAL MONUMENTS IN POGRADEC

GEO-MONUMENTS BIO-MONUMENTS HYDRO-MONUMENTS

The stone of Kamje, The mulberry of St. Marena, The Source of Drilon, Tushemisht The Stack stones of in Trebinjë, The cypress of St. Mary church, The lakes of Lukovë. The Fragment of tectonic separation of Ohrid The old tree of Tushemisht, graben, The Plane-tree of Rodokal, The cave of Memlisht, The Plane-tree of Selcë, Rodokali’s cave,

Baribardha’s cave, The Cave of St. Marena, The Llënga’s canyon, The stones “bride and groom” in Senisht. Mokra, The cave of Najazma Tushemisht,

TABLES USED TO DRY FRUIT AND BERRIES. FIELD VISIT IN POGRADEC. ERALD LAMJA FOR USAID.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 10 VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

GENERAL EVALUATION BASED ON CRITERIA/ SWOT ANALYSIS During the working group session on July 31, 2019, participants were divided into three large groups, based on the potential value chains identified for the Municipality of Pogradec after the group discussion took place. For each identified group, three value chains were ranked as the ones with the most potential in Pogradec (Handicrafts, Production of Traditional Food products, and Honey Production), and a detailed evaluation took place based on some pre-defined criteria. Each group assessed the value chain and then discussions and suggestions led to further narrowing of the problems, constraints, possible solutions, etc. These three value chains were chosen because they were interconnected with each other and many women working in one of the value chains had a way to cooperate with the other one (e.g. handicrafts artisans designing packaging for traditional food products or honey). In this specific study, the recommendations were made for all 3 interconnected value chains since the main strategy identified for the local economic development laid in the development of a unified tourism product for the area. The assessment of women empowerment and gender equality in the selected value chains, opportunities in the value chains, as well as the SWOT analysis for Handicrafts VC, Traditional food products VC and Honey production VC are presented below. Working group sessions, interviews, and focus groups served as the basis of information on this section as described in the Methodology section above.

TABLE 2. RANKING AND SELECTION OF VALUE CHAINS USING GENDER-SENSITIVE CRITERIA: MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC

TRADITIONAL FOOD HONEY CRITERIA HANDICRAFTS PRODUCTS PRODUCTION

Is there a link There are some linkages. Not all Yes, there is a link, Yes, there is a strong between what women involved in the process can considering that women are link. Both men and women are doing work based just on home conditions. involved entirely in the women are involved in and prospects for processes. the farm, with women growth/ being mainly involved in diversification in centrifugation, sealing the value chain? and packaging activities.

Do women have Women do not possess the full set Women have the necessary Women do not possess (or can they of skills required for all the skills. All the processes are the full set of skills acquire) the skills processes. They have inherited some traditional ones that are required for all the needed for value skills from other generations (their executed without the use of processes. They need addition through mothers), but they do need trainings, machinery and equipment. training. processing or so they can make use of combining product the traditional techniques with diversification? modern and updated ones.

Does this value There is a good opportunity for Yes, women can be fully and Yes, especially if women chain offer new promotion and sales. Each woman formally employed in the acquire the proper skills opportunities for works individually at her home and business, only after the from trainings. women? they sell the products in small areas business registration by the located near the lake (for 10 years relevant authorities. Also, they could benefit now). They can make use of if local bee-keepers combined and unified efforts, as well associations in different as product diversification and regions help women increase in quality. exchange experiences with one another.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 11 TABLE 2. RANKING AND SELECTION OF VALUE CHAINS USING GENDER-SENSITIVE CRITERIA: MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC

TRADITIONAL FOOD HONEY CRITERIA HANDICRAFTS PRODUCTS PRODUCTION Also, they are not registered and need financial support.

Can the chain Yes, considering that for these Yes, if the business is Yes. There is an improve livelihood processes, women are involved in formalized, more women will opportunity to increase conditions for each process and can perform each be employed and would revenue by increasing women/families? activity. benefit from regular income price. and insurance.

Is there a Yes, there is an organization Yes, until now Nucleus has Yes, there is, but it motivated (Nucleus) that supports women for been supporting them doesn’t operate in the organization in the participation in fairs, application of throughout the whole value required level of value chain that can fiscal incentives in collaboration with chain, including creating engagement. This is a support/ represent other local authorities (they are tax- market linkages but there are mixed farmers value chain actors exempt). There have also been some high financing needs that association (including that can move other associations Egyptian require more investments, honey and grape forward Brotherhood (Vllazëria Egjiptiane and for example for packaging, processing) and the development? REA (Roma Education Albania) and labeling, some infrastructural farmers involved projects (collaboration with the investments needed to meet exchange experiences, German Church, and USAID funded basic HACCP requirements. participate in shared projects) that supports artisans. trainings, etc.

Is there an Yes, opportunities lie mostly in the The main interventions Yes, but the local opportunity to provision of trainings and should be implemented in the authorities have to make changes with organization of “chain trainings” optimization of the hygiene- actively contribute to small investments? (meaning that 2-3 women from each sanitary conditions to get the process. There is a group can be trained, and they can HACCP certification, as well high demand for train the rest and sell the products). as investments in equipment materials and equipment (especially the drying (packaging materials, jars, Also, initiatives in product machine), which costs an centrifugation equipment, standardization and branding are average of 8000 EUR per etc.) and marketing needed in this sector. traditional foods workshop. strategies.

TABLE 3. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

QUESTIONS SCORE WEIGH TOTA NARRATIVE * T L

Is the share of women 5 2 10 All the persons involved in these types of activities are employed in the value chain women. relatively high?

Are there many female 5 2 10 These businesses are run mainly by women since in entrepreneurs in the value the majority of the times all women participate in all chain? the processes.

Do women control 1 2 2 There is little to no use of specific technology in the equipment and assets? process. Everything is produced by hand.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 12 TABLE 3. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

SCORE WEIGH TOTA QUESTIONS * T L NARRATIVE

Do women have (or can 3 1 3 Women generally possess skills that they inherited they acquire) the skills from their mothers, but they need training for specific needed for interesting skills, especially considering the integration of modern value addition through technology with the traditional one. Also, should be processing or product considered the training of 2-3 women, who can then diversification? train the other women involved in the sector.

Do women control the 5 2 10 Yes, they are in charge of the entire process, including sales income and the the sales process. enterprise?

Can the work take place 2 1 2 Sometimes, but only production. Not all women have close to home? the capacities and proper infrastructure to work from home. A common facility is needed so that they can work there and improve the quality of their work. The selling process occurs far from their homes.

Is this a value chain with 3 1 3 For some of the handicrafts, the skills can be learned, low entry barriers for poor considering also that this is an “inherited” profession. entrepreneurs (small scale The costs are not high, except for the rent/acquisition of production, low start-up of a working facility, input costs. costs, not requiring major capital investment, using low-tech skills)?

Is this a value chain with 1 2 2 Women do not have a solid place to work (a facility) low entry barriers for and they also do not have a solid selling location. women (time and mobility, access to technology and assets, cultural constraints)?

Does this value chain offer 1 4 4 The chain does not offer many opportunities, new opportunities for considering the lack of financial support from women? institutions, high informality, and lack of proper working conditions.

Is the activity in the value 1 2 2 The income generated by this type of activity does not chain in line with livelihood provide opportunities for them to sustain themselves, conditions (year-round taking also into consideration that they are mostly income, using family labor, working informally. rapid returns, keeping the environment intact?

Is there a linkage between 3 1 3 Yes. There are opportunities for women to what women are doing and collaborate and be represented as a single grouping, prospects for thus increasing their chances of getting support from growth/diversification in the institutions and other organizations. Opportunities the value chain? would result in the provision of facilities from the municipality and in selling locations.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 13 TABLE 3. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

SCORE WEIGH TOTA QUESTIONS * T L NARRATIVE

Are there gender norms 4 2 8 This is mainly considered as a “women’s work” and (for example stuck in men are not usually involved in these types of ‘women’s work’) that activities. prevent women from taking full advantage of value chain opportunities?

Overall total for gender 59/102 potential

* Score: 0 (very low, no, not at all) to 5 (very high, yes, very important).

TABLE 4. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VALUE CHAIN

QUESTIONS SCORE* WEIGHT TOTAL NARRATIVE

Is the share of women 5 2 10 Yes. The whole process is dominated by women. employed in the value chain relatively high?

Are there many female 5 2 10 The business is run by women, who are actively entrepreneurs in the value participating in every process starting from input chain? provision until the selling process and distribution. Men contribute mainly to the national transportation process.

Do women control 5 2 10 The production is done mainly using traditional equipment and assets? equipment, usually following the techniques of the other relatives. There is no modern technology used in this proves. All the traditional technology is controlled and exercised by women.

Do women have (or can 2 1 2 Yes. Women do need trainings considering that their they acquire) the skills level of skills is rated as average. Their willingness is needed for interesting high regarding this matter. value addition through processing or product diversification?

Do women control the 4 2 8 Yes, women control the income generated by this sales income and the activity, but they don’t have access to financing enterprise? opportunities and financial incentives.

Can the work take place 5 1 5 The work takes place in the facilities near the dwelling close to home? or the house. The products are then distributed to clients in other cities.

Is this a value chain with 1 1 1 The barriers are high. There are high costs related low entry barriers for poor mainly to the technology and the necessary entrepreneurs (small scale equipment. Also, the products and the process need of production, low start-up to reach the standards and relevant certification,

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 14 TABLE 3. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

SCORE WEIGH TOTA QUESTIONS * T L NARRATIVE costs, not requiring major which requires the fulfillment of all criteria and large capital investment, using investments in facilities. low-tech skills)?

Is this a value chain with 1 2 2 No, regarding the time dedicated to the process, low entry barriers for women have small barriers, but, in consideration of women (time and mobility, technology and assets, these barriers are high since access to technology and they currently do not use technology at all. assets, cultural constraints)?

Does this value chain offer 2 4 8 If women would benefit from technology and new opportunities for infrastructural investments and financial support, this women? VC would be considered as highly attractive.

Is the activity in the value 2 2 4 The income generated is relatively small, considering chain in line with livelihood also the high level of informality. Access to conditions (year-round information and financial support is very low and there income, using family labor, is almost no investment in the production and rapid returns, keeping the processing area. environment intact?

Is there a linkage between 3 1 3 Yes. Access to finance, access to technology, reaching what women are doing and product standards and certification means higher prospects for opportunities and improvement of economic growth/diversification in conditions. the value chain?

Are there gender norms 1 2 2 No. the business is run by women and they are (for example stuck in present in almost all activities. ‘women’s work’) that prevent women from taking full advantage of value chain opportunities?

Overall total for gender 65/102 potential

* Score: 0 (very low, no, not at all) to 5 (very high, yes, very important).

TABLE 5. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

QUESTIONS SCORE WEIGH TOTA NARRATIVE * T L

Is the share of women 5 2 10 There is a fair distribution between women and men employed in the value chain involved in the business. Women are active in almost relatively high? all activities.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 15 TABLE 5. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

SCORE WEIGH TOTA QUESTIONS * T L NARRATIVE

Are there many female 1 2 2 The businesses are registered in the name of the men. entrepreneurs in the value chain?

Do women control 4 2 8 Women are involved in many honey production equipment and assets? processes, especially in processing activities, and they control the relevant assets and equipment. They play a bigger role in activities related to processing and packaging.

Do women have (or can 5 1 5 Basic knowledge and skills, but they have a high will to they acquire) the skills learn and develop their skills and participate in needed for interesting value capacity development sessions. addition through processing or product diversification?

Do women control the sales 1 2 2 Marketing and sales have been until now the domain income and the enterprise? of men, considering their connections and network, however decisions about incomes are taken by family negotiations and women express their opinions about the matter.

Can the work take place 5 1 5 Usually, the work takes place close to home since it is close to home? a home-based process

Is this a value chain with low 5 1 5 Starting a beekeeping business has low barriers for entry barriers for poor entry. The start-up costs are relatively low (the price entrepreneurs (small scale of of a beehive is about 40 euro, and prices for production, low start-up processing equipment are affordable). costs, not requiring major capital investment, using low-tech skills)?

Is this a value chain with low 5 2 10 Some, as indicated above. entry barriers for women (time and mobility, access to Also, there are no time constraints, taking care of technology and assets, beekeeping would require 2-3 hours per day, and cultural constraints)? cultural constraints are not evident since women are already involved in different processes in the value chain.

Does this value chain offer 3 4 12 Opportunities for women to be involved in the upper new opportunities for side of the value chain (marketing and sales). women?

Is the activity in the value 4 2 8 This is considered as a sector that generates income chain in line with livelihood and profitable margins. From the possession of 10 conditions (year-round hives, there is a monthly profit of 10,000 ALL and income, using family labor, during what is considered as a normal production rapid returns, keeping the year, there is an annual profit of 100,000 – 120,000 environment intact? ALL. Even though more efforts are needed in the collaboration between producers and fulfillment of packaging criteria.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 16 TABLE 5. ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

SCORE WEIGH TOTA QUESTIONS * T L NARRATIVE

Is there a linkage between 3 1 3 Higher involvement of women would improve the what women are doing and overall efficiency of the value chain. prospects for growth/diversification in the value chain?

Are there gender norms (for 4 2 8 Some activities in the process are considered as example stuck in ‘women’s typically women’s activities, such as processing and work’) that prevent women packaging, while others, such as input supply and retail from taking full advantage of & marketing are considered as male processes, due to value chain opportunities? their connections and networks. This implies the exclusion of women from these activities, even though they might possess the necessary skills to implement the processes.

Overall total for gender 78/102 potential

* Score: 0 (very low, no, not at all) to 5 (very high, yes, very important).

TABLE 6. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

CRITERIA HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

Is there a link between what women are doing There are some linkages. Not all women involved in the process can and prospects for growth/ diversification in the work based just on home conditions. value chain?

Do women have (or can they acquire) the skills Women do not possess the full set of skills required for all the needed for value addition through processing processes. They have inherited some skills from other generations (their or product diversification? mothers), but they do need trainings, so they can make use of combining the traditional techniques with modern and updated ones.

Does this value chain offer new opportunities There is a good opportunity for promotion and sales. Each woman for women? works individually at her home and they sell the products in small areas located near the lake (for 10 years now). They can make use of combined and unified efforts, as well as product diversification and increase in quality. Also, they are not registered and need financial support.

Can the chain improve livelihood conditions for Yes, considering that for these processes, women are involved in each women/families? process and can perform each activity.

Is there a motivated organization in the value Yes, there is an organization (Nucleus) that supports women for chain that can support/represent value chain participation in fairs, application of fiscal incentives in collaboration with actors that can move forward development? other local authorities (they are tax excluded). There have also been some other associations (such as the Egyptian association) and initiatives (collaboration with the German Church, and USAID-funded projects) that supports artisans.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 17 TABLE 6. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

CRITERIA HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

Is there an opportunity to make changes with Yes, opportunities lie mostly in the provision of trainings and organization small investments? of “chain trainings” (meaning that 2-3 women from each group can be trained, and they can train the rest and sell the products). Also, initiatives in product standardization and branding are needed in this sector.

TABLE 7. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VALUE CHAIN

CRITERIA TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS

Is there a link between what women are doing Yes, there is a link, considering that women are involved entirely in the and prospects for growth/ diversification in the processes. value chain?

Do women have (or can they acquire) the skills Women have necessary skills. All the processes are traditional ones that needed for value addition through processing or are executed without the use of machinery and equipment. product diversification?

Does this value chain offer new opportunities Yes, women can be fully and formally employed in the business, only for women? after the business registration by the relevant authorities.

Can the chain improve livelihood conditions for Yes, if the business is formalized more women will be employed and women/families? would benefit from regular income.

Is there a motivated organization in the value Yes, until now Nucleus has been supporting them, but there are high chain that can support/represent value chain financing needs that acquire more investments. actors that can move forward development?

Is there an opportunity to make changes with The main interventions should be implemented in the optimization of the small investments? hygiene-sanitary conditions to get HACCP certification, as well as investments in equipment (especially the drying machine), which costs around 8000 Euros.

TABLE 8. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

CRITERIA HONEY PRODUCTION

Is there a link between what women are doing and Yes, there is a strong link. Both men and women are involved in the farm, prospects for growth/ diversification in the value with women being mainly involved in centrifugation, sealing and packaging chain? activities.

Do women have (or can they acquire) the skills Women do not possess the full set of skills required for all the processes. needed for value addition through processing or They need training. product diversification?

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 18 TABLE 8. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

CRITERIA HONEY PRODUCTION

Yes, especially if women acquire the proper skills from trainings. Does this value chain offer new opportunities for women? Also, they could benefit if local bee-keepers associations in different regions help women exchange experiences between one another.

Can the chain improve livelihood conditions for Yes. An increase in revenue would lead to a product’s price increase. women/families?

Yes, there is, but it doesn’t operate in the required level of engagement. Is there a motivated organization in the value This is a mixed farmers association (including honey and grape chain that can support/represent value chain processing) and the farmers involved exchange experiences, participate actors that can move forward development? in shared trainings, etc.

Yes, but the local authorities have to actively contribute to the process. Is there an opportunity to make changes with There is a high demand for materials and equipment (packaging small investments? materials, jars, centrifugation equipment, etc.) and marketing strategies.

TABLE 9. SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

▪ Willingness to cooperate and its consideration ▪ Lack of financial resources and consequently lack of proper as a good opportunity to reach the individual investments in technology and processing; goals; ▪ Lack of proper production and processing facilities; ▪ Willingness to participate in trainings and increase their skills levels; ▪ Lack of selling points

▪ Engagement of women in the entire process and ▪ Existence of technical skills gap, to complete all the processes; a raised awareness of her contribution. ▪ Informal operation in the market (not registered businesses).

▪ Lack of financial resources and little access to financing opportunities (high-interest rates) due to informality;

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

▪ A number of tourists during seasons and ▪ Lack of a stable market and access to the desired market. opportunities to use this to their advantage. ▪ Lack of promotion and marketing strategies (regional branding). ▪ Lack of incentivizing schemes and financing opportunities from relevant institutions

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 19 TABLE 10. SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VALUE CHAIN

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

▪ Willingness to participate in trainings and ▪ Lack of financial resources and consequently lack of proper increase the level of skills; investments in technology and processing; ▪ Willingness of the primary VC actors to increase ▪ Lack of information on certifications and standards. the quality of the products and meet standards ▪ and certification criteria; Lack of safety and quality standards certification; ▪ ▪ Engagement of women in the entire process and Existence of technical skills gap, to complete all the processes; a raised awareness of her contribution. ▪ Informal operation in the market (not registered businesses). ▪ Establishment of network with supermarkets in the other areas (main cities)

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

▪ Interest in the products from the national ▪ Lack of promotion and marketing strategies (regional branding). market.

TABLE 11. SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

▪ Existence of beekeepers’ association and ▪ Lack of work materials and equipment, necessary for willingness to collaborate for common benefits; production; ▪ Willingness to participate in trainings; ▪ Existence of technical skills gap, to complete all the processes; ▪ Willingness of the primary VC actors to expand ▪ Poor extension services in both quantity and quality; their beekeeping activity; ▪ Income generation and a decent profit margin ▪ Lack of automated technology and quality standards certification; from this value chain; ▪ Informal operation in the market (not registered businesses). ▪ Engagement of women in the entire process and a raised awareness of her contribution. ▪ Poor vertical and horizontal cooperation creating many ▪ Possibilities to create interconnected value chains inefficiencies along the VC. (agri-tourism); ▪ Information asymmetries regarding market developments;

▪ Lack of financial resources and little access to financing opportunities (high-interest rates) due to a high degree of informality;

▪ Lack of promotion and marketing strategies (regional branding)

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

▪ Wide diversity of flowers and natural resources; ▪ Unfair competition (low-quality products in the market); ▪ Assistance from NGOs and organizations with ▪ The production depends on climatic conditions; materials, assets, equipment and trainings and ▪ Usage of inappropriate and not-bee-friendly pesticides; seminars; ▪ Lack of a stable market and access to the desired market. ▪ Organization of honey festivals and participation ▪ in fairs Pressure from international competition (imports at lower prices). ▪ Increasingly higher availability of grant funds and direct subsidies schemes, although many are not eligible because of a high level of informality

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 20 MAPS OF THE SELECTED VCS In the diagram below are presented the comprehensive Maps of the identified VCs (Handicrafts, Traditional food products, and Honey production), based on the Working group session as well as the subsequent fieldwork and consultations with experts. The mapping represents the key stakeholders, product flow from inputs to the final market and helps identify gaps or bottlenecks in the production flow. The numbers represent the share of efforts per each stage (male and female involvement).

Figure 5. Mapping of the Handicrafts Production Value Chain

21

Figure 6. Mapping of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 22

Figure 7. Mapping of the Honey Production Value Chain

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 23 VALUE CHAIN ACTORS The main stakeholders for the three identified and assessed value chains are8: Customers, who are mainly locals, small families or individuals who consume the products for their family and buy mostly for friends and their inner circle of connections, as well as national consumers and tourists visiting the city. Input suppliers, who offer and provide equipment, raw materials, medicines, and others, necessary for the overall processes of each value chain. Associations composed of a grouping of producers and who are actively involved through the support they provide to producers and assistance in different stages of the value chains. Organizations, different institutions involved in the Value Chains that offer support through the implementation of relevant initiatives. National Food Authority (NFA) is a government agency, subordinated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and is the competent authority with national management inspection functions in the field of security and consumer protection, plants and animal protection. NFA executes the interventions based on Law No.10 433, date 16.6.2011 for “Inspection in the Republic of Albania”, Article 7 ‘Principles of inspection program’. Timing of inspection is defined in the Annual Inspection program; however, random inspections are possible when foreseen by law. Article 4 in the same law gives the purpose of the inspection, specifically: (i) assessment of compliance with legal requirements; (ii) documentation of good practices in respecting legal requirements; (iii) advising the inspected subject for the correct implementation of legal requirements; (iv) ordering the correction of legal requirements violations and eliminating the consequences arising from them; and (v) giving sentences and taking other administrative measures to avoid the risks that may be caused to the public interest. Based on Article 26 ‘the annual inspection time’, the maximum permissible annual inspection period is from 5 to 15 days and there is no fee for the inspection. The inspected business/farm should provide the necessary evidence and information asked by the inspecting authority. Usually, inspections are programmed and based on the annual inspection program, but random inspections are possible. The closest examiner is the Regional Office of National Food Authority in Elbasan, which performs the inspection based on the Annual Inspection Program, provided by NFA headquarters in Tirana. Regarding Certification Boards / Institutions, the basic standards are HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and Organic Certifications. HACCP is mandatory by law in Albania for every farmer, business or other entity producing food products. Organic is being asked by the markets in urban areas and adds value to the product. Regarding the timeline for certification, HACCP certification requires on average 14-30 days to be obtained, and its process includes these steps:  Field visit by and consultancy company specialized in certification standards which provides recommendations for improvements and adaptions  Preparation of necessary documentation  Setting up the record-keeping system  Inspection by the certification body  Issuance of the certification

8 More details can be found in the Research Findings section below.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 24

Figure 8. HACCP Certification Steps All these steps take 14-30 days, while Organic is a more complex standard which can take 2-3 years. During this period the businesses get an “In process of organic certification” until the final certificate is issued. The main certification body for the Organic standard is AlbInspekt based in Tirana. For HACCP certification there are several certification bodies where ICDQ9 is one of the leading companies, which is also based in Tirana. HACCP and Organic are provided by private companies and NGOs, while phytosanitary certificate which is required for exports is provided by the national phytosanitary service part of Regional Agriculture Directorate, Korçë.

RESEARCH FINDINGS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE SELECTED VCS

HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN Based on the workshops (working group session) and interviews conducted with the main value chain actors, i.e. the producers of Handicrafts in Pogradec, the following findings and results are denoted: Regarding THE OPPORTUNITIES that the Handicrafts production value chain has to offer specifically for women involved in terms of the increase of their livelihoods, interviewees mentioned/described the following:

OPPORTUNITIES

Linkages with Participation Increase of local tourism in associations collaboration & typical products

Figure 9. Opportunities in the Handicrafts Value Chain o Participation in associations. Until now, many organizations have supported the actors of this value chain. Worth mentioning are the Egyptian Association, German Evangelical Church, and Nucleus organization, whose actions have offered the opportunity for self-employment, the opportunity for an exchange of experiences and consultation sessions, and financial opportunities.

9 ICDQ – Institute of quality certification, which operates as “International Certification Organism”.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 25 o Increase in collaboration. In this sector, women are organized and supported by the Women’s Handicrafts association, and by doing so have had the opportunity to increase the collaboration between them, obtain fiscal incentives in collaboration with the local governance stakeholders (tax exemptions), and increase the participation in different initiatives (fairs) and present their products. o Linkages with local tourism are considered as an opportunity due to the attractions that the municipality possesses and the number of tourists during the seasons, who can buy the handicrafts, though more visibility is needed for the artisans (e.g. special stands at Municipal Square). Regarding THE CONSTRAINTS faced by the Handicrafts value chain, they can be summarized as follows: o Lack of unified product presentation. Usually, every woman works individually in her home and there is not a unified product or the use of the same technique in the production. Thus, if there is demand for large quantities of the same product, one producer alone cannot guarantee it and this demand is unmet. o Location. First, women involved do not implement the production activities in a single dedicated- use facility and their financial situation makes it impossible to afford the rent of a facility. During the working group session, the municipalities’ representatives offered the possibility to make use of some of its facilities. o Lack of proper skills. The necessary skills that women possess for the production of the handicrafts are inherited and passed from previous generations, thus they often need trainings especially when it comes to the use of technology, new techniques and efficiency of production. Moreover, when it comes to lacking skills, the women also mentioned that there is a lack of business skills – many of them do their own bookkeeping and struggle when it comes to strategies related to marketing or product differentiation.

CONSTRAINTS

Lack of unified product Location Lack of proper presentation and skills techniques

Figure 10. Constraints of the Handicrafts Value Chain Regarding GENDER INEQUALITY ISSUES AND WOMEN INCLUSION in the value chain, information obtained from the focus groups, workshops, and interviews, women are included in all the activities. Sometimes the skills that they have been transmitted from one generation to the other. Considering that they are in charge of all the processes, sometimes they face difficulties in gaining market access, due to a lack of networks, finance, and mobility skills. Regarding FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES, the interviewees mentioned that the generated income from this activity does not cover all their needs. They don’t have access to finance (don’t have skills

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 26 to access financing instruments) and they so far have only benefited from the support of different organizations (associations, not-for-profit, humanitarian, etc.)10.

TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VALUE CHAIN Based on the fieldwork, observations, and interviews conducted with the main value chain actors, i.e. the producers of traditional food products, the following findings and results are denoted: Regarding THE OPPORTUNITIES that the Traditional food products value chain has to offer when it comes to women empowerment, interviewees mentioned/described the following: o Participation in various activities. Usually, producers participate in different fairs in the area, and this allows them to increase their access to the targeted market; have access to standards reaching and meeting of the certification criteria; secure higher employability for themselves and support for other women in the area.

OPPORTUNITIES

Special focus of GoA Participation in on Traditional and various activities Typical Food Products

Figure 11. Opportunities in the Traditional Food Products Value Chain  Special focus of the MARD (and GoA) on traditional and typical products (e.g. 100 Villages program). Traditional Food Products from Pogradec would benefit from regional branding/ re-branding, especially in light of the Law on Other Quality Schemes which would include a provision on typical products currently under development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the Law on Geographic Indications (GIs). Additionally, various programs in place (including recently launched Sustainable Rural Development Program by GIZ and MARD) have the support and promotion of typical/ authentic (and traditional) food products among the development priorities. The GoA has recently approved the list of 100 touristic villages to be supported by the Government in the next four years. In the Municipality of Pogradec, the village of Lin is included in the program and is set to benefit infrastructure investments and other interventions which are expected to turn Lin in a touristic attraction. A suggestion could be made to the program to support women-led initiatives in the agritourism sector in the Lin area, including targeting traditional products. The development of this area will then serve as a road map for other villages. Regarding THE CONSTRAINTS faced in the Traditional food production value chain, they can be summarized as follows: o Informality and Consequent Lack of financing opportunities. Producers lack the necessary financing amount to invest in the improvement of different linkages in the value chain. Infrastructural investments are necessary to improve the processing facilities and implement modern technologies of production. The income generated sometimes from selling the products

10 The IPARD (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development) II financing scheme that will be opened at the end of October 2019 includes Handicrafts and the manufacturing industry in its Measure 7 for “Farm Diversification and Business Development).

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 27 is the only source of income. Producers remain informal because they don’t have financial means to meet basic requirements for registration and/ or lacking information on registration requirements11. o Lack of certification. Producers are not equipped with the necessary certifications and their products do not meet the basic standards. This is due to the lack of proper processing technology and hygiene conditions of the facilities. o Lack of information. The producers do not have all the information needed for the certification of their products and ways they can benefit from proper incentivizing schemes and initiatives in the sector. They also lack information when it comes to understanding the market requirements or legal requirements. o Lack of business skills. Women interviewed mentioned that there is a lack of business skills – many of them do their own bookkeeping and struggle when it comes to strategies related to marketing or product differentiation or sales techniques. They also need trainings when it comes to standards or understanding the application procedures for loans.

CONSTRAINTS

Lack of Lack of Lack of Lack of financing certification information business skills opportunities

Figure 12. Constraints of the Traditional Food Products Value Chain Regarding GENDER INEQUALITY ISSUES AND WOMEN INCLUSION in the value chain, women are involved in all the activities of the value chain, from the provision of inputs to the distribution of the products. Sometimes men contribute to the last activity but only for specific occasions. Women’s participation is calculated as 95percent, but they are not registered as employees in the business. Also, there is a need for extra skills and assistance in modern technology implementation. Regarding SUPPORTING FUNCTIONS and areas of Intervention, there have been some supporting initiatives, mainly from organizations such as Nucleus who provides them consultations and assistance in different procedures and certification processes and links them with verified input providers and markets to sell their product to. Note that during the discussion with the Traditional Food Products Value Chain participants with Nucleus representatives present, the idea similar in nature to contract farming (or contract production) has been discussed. There is a high chance that some of the bigger clients that the producers work with (restaurants, agri-tourism establishments) might be willing to support producer’s formalization efforts and/ or repackaging and certification financially given that they will get a certain amount of product in return for free or at a significant discount. Nucleus will be working to try this type of barter arrangement to happen. These traditional food products’ producers have extensive clients list and work together to meet the demand. The input producers are active participants in the value chain. Most of the production is done having the whole village participating (men and women).

11 The IPARD (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development) II financing scheme that will be opened at the end of October 2019 includes the sector in Measure 3 on “Investments in Processing and Marketing of Agriculture Products” and On-Farm Processing and Direct Marketing of Agricultural Products in its Measure 7 for “Farm Diversification and Business Development).

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 28 HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN Based on the fieldwork, observations, and interviews conducted with the main value chain actors, i.e. honey producers in Pogradec, the following findings and results are denoted: Regarding THE OPPORTUNITIES that the honey production and processing value chain has to offer, interviewees mentioned/described the following: o Collaboration among producers. Producers mentioned the collaboration among them and participation in honey and beekeeping association as one of the opportunities of this value chain. They have had the opportunity to participate in fairs and exchange experiences. Most of the time they collaborate with other producers for the provision of necessary inputs, usually at a lower price. They do recognize the need for a stronger collaboration especially in obtaining certification and producing under the same label as part of a unified tourism product for the Pogradec area that would translate to higher market reach and higher demand. o Support from organizations. Until now producers have benefited from the provision of trainings and support from different organizations. Nucleus is one of the organizations involved in the supporting process as well as the Federation of Beekeepers and Local Beekeepers’ Association.

OPPORTUNITIES

Collaboration Support from among producers organizations

Figure 13. Opportunities in the Honey Production Value Chain Regarding THE CONSTRAINTS faced in the honey value chain, they can be summarized as follows:

o Lack of standards, certifications and relevant legislation. Firstly, there is no hygiene and quality certification from relevant authorities for the products, hence the product can be sold only in-farm and cannot access the desired market. Farmers (producers) are not aware of standards and quality assurance processes. Usage of inappropriate and unapproved (not bee-friendly) pesticides as well as poor-quality medicine for the bees are among the main issues observed.

Secondly, the food and packaging standards, necessary for entering the wider markets, are not met. Often the packaging process is carried manually.

Finally, Albania is the only country in the region and world that does not have a specific law on beekeeping. Beekeeping is mentioned in specific sections in ‘Law on food’, ‘Law on livestock’, ‘Law on Veterinary services’

o Lack of support from state authorities & Lack of proper promotion strategies. There is low subsidization from respective institutions (ARDA/ AZHBR –Agriculture and Rural Development Agency). The subsidizing is inconsistent (being in different amounts from year to year) and there is not a limit on the number of hives it applies to. Also, medications have different prices and are not distributed for free by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as is the case for cow medications.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 29 o Lack of work materials and equipment and their existing state. There is need and demand for inputs and processing equipment. Producers cannot financially afford the cost of the equipment and in the main needs identified, packaging and labeling technology results as more prominent.

CONSTRAINTS

Lack of standards, Lack of support Lack of work certifications and from materials and relevant organizations equipment legislation

Figure 14. Constraints of the Honey Production Value Chain Regarding GENDER INEQUALITY ISSUES AND WOMEN INCLUSION in the value chain, the interviewees mentioned the contribution women have and their engagement in almost all the production processes, highlighting the beekeeping, harvesting, processing and packaging activities, while men play a major role in input purchase, harvesting (and bee’s health treatment) and marketing activities. Sometimes women need trainings regarding the increase in their skill levels. This phenomenon is not exclusive to women; most men in the sector lack the very same skills. However, since men interact with experts at the very beginning and the very end of the value chain (inputs and sales), they are often more informed/ knowledgeable on some of the issues than the females involved in the middle link of the value chain. Skill gaps exist and are significant, especially in the areas such as Bee health, harvesting, marketing, business, pricing, product differentiation, processing quality standards specialized courses as queen rearing, bee pathology, comb foundation, analysis of honey. To improve their skills, both women and men are willing to participate in different trainings and seminars. Regarding FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES, the producers depend on the income generated by the honey trade (retained profit) and do not prefer to enter the process of obtaining credit. Many have ongoing property ownership problems; smaller farms do not require working capital while the bank loans are usually meant for the expansion of activities to reach commercial levels. Other issues include: the existence of informality and high interest rates.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 30 ACTION PLAN

SUGGESTED INTERVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC In the following sections are presented some general recommendations about the Value Chains for the Municipality of Pogradec and the categorization, according to their impact (short-term/mid-term /long-term) and budget requirements (small/medium/large). The focus of the interventions is on three value chains under one Pogradec tourism offer umbrella:

TABLE 12. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HANDICRAFTS VALUE CHAIN

IMPACT BUDGET NO RECOMMENDATIONS – HANDICRAFTS VC Short- Mid- Long- Small Medium Large term term term

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 1 ACTIVITIES

Provide capacity building and technical training sessions for people involved in handicraft activities 1.1 X X on production processes, input materials, and techniques.

Provide capacity building trainings on the basics of business planning, marketing, financing 1.2 X X opportunities, projects or market linkages with other VCs, etc.

2 SUPPORT PRODUCTION CLUSTERS

Support clusters of producers at the local level. 2.1 Promote common production facilities, common X X transport and make joint sales.

Local Partners/ cooperation: Egyptian Brotherhood and Roma Education Albania already have some training schemes established, mostly focusing on Roma and Egyptian communities but with support from other organizations, it can be expanded to include other women artisans as well. The two organizations also work on creating market linkages or contractual relationships with Buyers, where a Buyer gives specifications on the product needed. There is room to include more artisans in that scheme. The municipality represents a good partner because it is willing to provide facilities where women can work jointly, including in some remote areas where mini-clustering can be initiated. There is a product differentiation strategy that needs to be developed, so either the people produce one single product per zone, or all produce a product of the same theme or using the same technique. Nucleus Albania is also interested in supporting the creation of more nuclei as well as provide trainings and capacity building on the topics described.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 31 TABLE 13. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VALUE CHAIN

IMPACT BUDGET NO RECOMMENDATIONS – TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS VC Short- Mid- Long- Small Medium Large term term term

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 1 ACTIVITIES

Provide capacity building and training sessions for 1.1 people involved in processing activities (processing, X X labeling, packaging, machinery maintenance).

Provide capacity building and training sessions related 1.2 to business skills (price structure, bookkeeping, X X taxes, registration, marketing)

SMALL GRANTS TO INCREASE 2 TECHNICAL CAPACITY

Provide small grants to improve infrastructure 2.1 X X conditions (technology, equipment, processing space)

QUALITY & SAFETY STANDARDS 3 CERTIFICATION

Support the producers in obtaining HACCP 3.1 X X certification and in registering the product

4 MARKET LINKAGES

Create barter arrangements with interested clients 4.1 X X X X to finance formalization efforts

Local Partners/ cooperation: Egyptian Brotherhood and Roma Education Albania already have some training schemes established mostly focusing on Roma and Egyptian communities but with support from other organizations can be expanded to include other women producing typical food products as well. Nucleus Albania is also interested to support the creation of more nuclei as well as provide trainings and capacity building on the topics described. However, they are interested in partnering with other organizations (e.g. CBS) to benefit from the expertise on formalization, food safety requirements, contract farming, and certifications. Products from Pogradec would also benefit from regional branding/ re-branding, especially in light of the Law on Other Quality Schemes which would include a provision on typical products currently under development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

TABLE 14. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

IMPACT BUDGET NO RECOMMENDATIONS – HONEY PRODUCTION VC Short- Mid- Long- Small Medium Large term term term

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 1 ACTIVITIES

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 32 TABLE 14. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HONEY PRODUCTION VALUE CHAIN

IMPACT BUDGET NO RECOMMENDATIONS – HONEY PRODUCTION VC Short- Mid- Long- Small Medium Large term term term

Provide technical assistance trainings for women 1.1 involved in beekeeping: Handling and feeding of X X beehives; Packaging, labeling, post-harvest handling.

Provide capacity building trainings for women involved in beekeeping: Food safety and quality 1.2 certifications; Product differentiation; Accessing X X markets and understanding buyer requirements; Basic bookkeeping skills.

Increase the capacities of input suppliers to better serve the honey sector (the right medicine and inputs, their timing of application, etc.). 1.3 Input suppliers can be important drivers of market development solutions in the honey value chain given their direct benefits. X X

SMALL GRANTS TO PROMOTE WOMEN 2 FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES

Consider the opportunity to provide small grants for 2.1 X X honey processing facilities and equipment.

Support efforts to produce cheap packaging materials 2.2 and hives locally can reduce production costs and X X increase the competitiveness of beekeeping farms.

QUALITY & SAFETY STANDARD 3 CERTIFICATIONS

Support beekeepers in obtaining the HACCP 3.1 certification which is the most basic standard in X X beekeeping, also mandatory by law in Albania.

Support beekeepers in obtaining Organic certification which is very important for adding value to the 3.2 product and build customer trust. The advantage of X X organic certification in terms of the cost relies on the fact that group certification is possible.

4 MARKETING AND PROMOTION

Support activities to connect beekeeping farms to 4.1 urban markets – B2B events with supermarket X X representatives and traditional organic stores.

SUPPORT SECTOR FORMALIZATION AND 5 IMPROVE VC COORDINATION

Incentivize and support beekeepers in the 5.1 formalization process. Formalization would bring X subsidies in the region.

Support the establishment of a collection and 5.4 X X distribution center for honey in the municipality.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 33 Local Partners/ cooperation: Beekeeping associations on the national, regional and municipal level; municipality. There is a general sense that the honey value chain in Pogradec is well developed although informal. Many of the bigger honey producers have an established client base. However, with that said, the neighboring established honey processor (not the producer) – Morava honey factory which exports abroad is working at 10percent capacity because it doesn’t have enough registered and certified suppliers to work with. Nevertheless, the producers are not willing to get formalized because they believe that they can sell their honey at a higher price than what the processor can offer them. Honey producers in Pogradec are willing to join in clusters composed of trusted neighbors/ colleagues. The situation with the bee health is similar to the one in Librazhd, however, the input suppliers seem to be trusted. They are more trained when it comes to basic beekeeping activities but lack marketing skills. The producers are very much interested in lobbying for the Law on Beekeeping so it can provide subsidies and regulate bee medication, pesticide use, and quality and safety issues. Business advisory organizations (Nucleus, CBS and others) can work together to help with certifications, formalizations, and access to finance. Honey producers have expressed interest to cooperate with Handicrafts VC participants on creating more artisanal, aesthetically pleasing packaging.

DURING FIELD VISIT IN POGRADEC. ERALD LAMJA FOR USAID.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 34 BIBLIOGRAPHY

“Chapter 4: Value Chain Mapping Tool” and “Module 11: Sustainable Value Chains” (GIZ) CID, 2014. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Albania – Value chain analysis. Available at: https://albania.growthlab.cid.harvard.edu/files/albaniagrowthlab/files/medicinal_aromatic_plants.pdf. Last accessed, November 20, 2017. FAO, 2014. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Mini-sector Study. Prepared under the Project “Preparation of Inter- sectorial strategy for agriculture and rural development in Albania”. FAO, 2018. Market and Value Chain Analysis of Selected Sectors for Diversification of the Rural Economy and Women's Economic Empowerment. Albania. Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/I8909EN/i8909en.pdf “General Local Plan of the Municipality of Pogradec – Development Plan”, 2016-2031, prepared by the Municipality of Pogradec, National Agency of Territorial Planning, and technical staff of BOLLES &WILSON and IDRA l.t.d. Initiative supported by Ministry for Urban Development. Business Development in the Municipality of Pogradec: Aims and objectives based on “Evaluation and Priorities of citizens” 2019 – a study conducted by the Municipality of Pogradec. Strategic Project “Mat” – Integrated Development of Municipality of Pogradec, 2015-2019 Andre Devaux, Maximo Torero, Jason Donovan, Douglas Horton, “Agricultural innovation and inclusive value-chain development: a review”, Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, March 2018. CBS, 2019. Gender sensitive Value Chain Analysis – Assessment of Value Chains in Six Municipalities. Unpublished. PLGP Study, 2019. Municipality of Pogradec Mapping Assessment. Unpublished.

Data sources: INSTAT (www.instat.gov.al) Data from municipal plans/ reports.

ANNEXES

LIST OF SURVEYS Below are listed the main actors / representatives with whom interviews were conducted and questionnaires were filled during field visits:  Traditional products in Leshnicë village (Municipality of Pogradec);  Honey production in Buçimas Administrative Unit (Municipality of Pogradec). The transcripts of the interviews and questionnaires are attached.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 35 FIELD VISIT: TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS (31.07.2019)

TABLE 1: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR PRODUCER OF TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS, MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC (LESHNICË VILLAGE) Value Chain Traditional Products. High market demand.

Value chain actor Production of traditional products. Producer of 25 types of products:

Jams, Pekmez, Narden, Compost, Trahana (Bollgur, Yogurt, Milk, Sweet, Sour, and Vegetables), Petka, Dromka, Pickles, Fërgesë, Gogozhare.

Value chain level (market actor, value chain actor, value chain Key actor in the value chain. Producer. supporter)

Type of actor (Farmer, buyer, processor, technology, inputs of Farmer. Farmer, producer and processor, distributor. any kind)

Category of actor (Allies/Enabler/Blockers or Neutral) Enabler. The main actor in the value chain.

Actor owned/controlled by men or women? 100 percent owned and controlled by Women control all the activities and processes of the production and retail. Men women. help during the products’ transportation.

What activities do the actors perform? All activities. All activities are performed 95 percent by women: Input provision, production and processing, retail.

Who is responsible for which activity? 95 percent Women. Women are responsible for each activity.

What do the men and women gain from the activity? Income. Other women are employed in the business. They get hourly payments (600 ALL/hour) based on different activities.

Cost structure of production Different. Different products have different cost structure.

Processing usually accounts for 50 percent of the costs.

Wood has the higher cost, and also covers the electricity for 3 days.

Are women’s roles changing? Why? No changes. These activities have been performed traditionally by women.

How close is the place of work from their household? Very close (in house). The processing and production is close to the house (in house), especially during winter when weather conditions are not suitable for processing.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 36 TABLE 1: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR What are the wider roles of men and women as productive role? House care. Women are involved in all the home activities, Reproductive role? And community role? Men help with transportation to clients.

What are the skills levels of the workers (men and women)? Average. Women have an average level of professional skills. There is a high willingness to participate in trainings.

Number of hired workers men/women 10-15. 10-15 unregistered workers.

Is there vulnerable employment? Yes. Employment is informal none is registered.

Number of hidden/informal workers men/women 10-15 informal workers. There are 10-15 women informally employed. The highest number of employees goes up to 30 people, based on different seasons. They are engaged in different activities. Not a single employee is registered.

Do the women in the value chain have Agency? No. There is no agency involvement.

Measure of good impact in your business (profit, living, turnover, Employment. If women get employment, this means they get insurance coverage and more more control) or what is your perception of change/impact? autonomy.

Who determines the price, and do you have any influence on Price taker. Often the determined price covers the production costs. They are based on the price? market price and the production costs (as well).

Are there training needs in the value chain (focus on women)? Yes. There is a demand (need) for a technologist.

Women lack professional skills and are willing to participate in trainings, in order to increase those skills.

Do women have access to land, water, and technology? To land and water yes. Women (the owner) has access to land and water (unlimited water supply – natural), but they do not have access to technology. Processing of products To technology no. happens in traditional ways and no technology is used.

Do women have access to BDS? Yes. There is an organization (Nucleus) supporting them.

Where and when is finance accessed in the value chain and for No access. They do not have access to finance (crediting) schemes. Usually, they are not what purposes? informed about it.

How is technology used in the value chain? Not used at all. Technology is not used. All the production is based in traditional ways.

What are the opportunities in the value chain? Representation in different fairs. Having access to different fairs in the area gives them the opportunity to:

- Increase the market access (higher demand);

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 37 TABLE 1: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR - Access to standards and certification (Barcode: 55,000 ALL); - Reach higher employability. What are the constraints/bottlenecks in the value chain? Financing, certification, information. - Inability to access financing; - Fulfillment of certification requirements; - Lack of information. Are there structural factors in the community that would limit No. Women have access to land, they just don’t have the opportunity for investment. or influence the opportunities women in the value chain have?

What is the cause of the constraint? Financing and Investments. Lack of investment in the production and processing area;

Lack of information.

Is there an opportunity for value chain actors to be the driver Yes. of a market development solution?

Do they cooperate with other value chain actors? Is there With input suppliers and distributors. They get supplies from the entire village (almost 100 suppliers). opportunity? They have 12 regular clients (loyal); different seasonal clients (for fruits and tomatoes); and clients that use orders. The distribution in the majority of times is guaranteed 50 percent by the client, while in 1 case it is guaranteed 100 percent by the client. Is climate change, environmental degradation impacting on the Yes. Especially during winter season, the production and processing happens indoor actor? and is made more difficult.

FIELD VISIT: HONEY PRODUCER (01.08.2019)

TABLE 2: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR HONEY PRODUCER, MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC (BUÇIMAS AD. UNIT / VILLAGE) Value Chain Honey production. High market demand.

Value chain actor Production of honey and sub-components. Producer of honey products and its components (bees’ milk, propolis, pollen, wax, bee mothers).

Value chain level (market actor, value chain actor, value chain Key actor in the value chain. There are almost 500 honey producers in Pogradec. supporter)

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 38 TABLE 2: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR 10 are considered as big producers.

Type of actor (Farmer, buyer, processor, technology, inputs of Farmer. Farmer, producer and processor, distributor. any kind)

Category of actor (Allies/Enabler/Blockers or Neutral) Enabler.

Actor owned/controlled by men or women? Men and women. The business (farm) is registered in the name of the man.

What activities do the actors perform? All activities. Production of honey, milk, propolis, wax.

Who is responsible for which activity? Women: processing & packaging. Women are responsible for processing and packaging.

Men: Transportation & all the rest. Men are responsible for transportation and everything else.

What do the men and women gain from the activity? Employment, revenue. There are no formal employees (contract-based).

Cost structure of production Input: 80 percent. Input provision: 80 percent.

Transport + Labor + Other processes: 20 percent.

Are women’s roles changing? Why? Yes. They are becoming more aware of the women’s role in the VC and her contribution.

How close is the place of work from their household? In-house. The production takes place close to home (in-house), but also in some other places.

What are the wider roles of men and women as productive role? Women are engaged in processing activities mostly. They also take care of the Reproductive role? And community role? house.

What are the skills levels of the workers (men and women)? Traditional skills. High traditional farming skills but also more training is needed.

Number of hired workers men/women Men: 3 Women: 3 There are 3 men and 3 women employed (informally). There are also seasonal workers, and during the winter season this number reaches up to 10 persons. They usually get paid 1000 ALL/day.

Is there vulnerable employment? Yes. None of the employed persons is registered.

Number of hidden/informal workers men/women Men: 3 Women: 3 There are 3 men and 3 women employed (informally).

Do the women in the value chain have Agency? No. -

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 39 TABLE 2: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR Measure of good impact in your business (profit, living, turnover, Regular clients. There are regular clients (loyal). more control) or what is your perception of change/impact? They are financed by what they earn. Supply exceeds demand.

Who determines the price, and do you have any influence on Price makers. They are the ones who determine the price, but during the process they take into price? consideration the market price and competition, as well as their costs.

Are there training needs in the value chain (focus on women)? Yes. All the skills are learned from generation to generation (traditionally). They do not possess vocational skills.

Do women have access to land, water, and technology? Yes. During the processing and production of honey.

Do women have access to BDS? Not really. There is need and demand for inputs, and cures for bees. Usually medication is bought in Greece and is difficult to find in Albania. They group together and buy it in Greece.

Where and when is finance accessed in the value chain and for Not accessed. Finance is not accessed. what purposes?

How is technology used in the value chain? In the processes. Centrifuge is needed. It is costly (180,000 ALL). There is also packaging technology needed.

What are the opportunities in the value chain? Investment. Investment in equipment and inputs.

Opportunities to collaborate among producers to a single unified label.

What are the constraints/bottlenecks in the value chain? Supply exceeds Demand. Supply exceeds demand, because of lack of certification. Also, the wider market is not reached. And there is not a unified label.

Are there structural factors in the community that would limit Yes. They are not unified under the same labeling and certification standards. or influence the opportunities women in the value chain have?

What is the cause of the constraint? Financing opportunities. They do not have enough financing opportunities to invest in order to have the right conditions for obtaining certification.

Is there an opportunity for value chain actors to be the driver Yes. Producers should gather under the same label but identified individually. of a market development solution?

Do they cooperate with other value chain actors? Is there Input providers & equipment sharing. They cooperate with input providers. Also, some producers share the same opportunity? machineries/equipment during the production process.

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 40 TABLE 2: VALUE CHAIN ACTOR QUESTION (SITUATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN) ACTOR NARRATIVE ON ACTOR Is climate change, environmental degradation impacting on the Yes. Climate and weather changes directly affect the bees and the honey production. actor?

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 41 LIST OF SUGGESTED CONTACTS/ STAKEHOLDERS/ EXPERTS FOR TRAININGS NO. NAME_SURNAME ORGANIZATION POSITION AREA OF EXPERTISE CONTACT 1 Aleksander Lila Nucleus Albania Coordinator Business Management & Business Planning; Clustering [email protected]

2 Marsela Merolli Nucleus Albania Councilor Business Management & Business Planning; Clustering [email protected]

3 Arta Balliu Municipality of Pogradec Coordinator Local Economic Development 0672020608

4 Adriana Adhami Municipality of Pogradec Vice Mayor Local Economic Developments, Local capacity-building, 0692036377 Business Management [email protected] 5 Afroviti Gusho PLGP Local Coordinator Local Economic Development 0682061127

6 Mimoza Shuli Municipality of Korçë Vice Mayor Business Management, Certifications, Business 0684019494 Registration, Access to Finance 7 Ergent Pire Creative Business Solutions Business Advisor Business Management, Certifications, Business [email protected] Registration, Access to Finance 8 Fatmir Nikolli NOA Financing Institution Business Advisor Business Management, Certifications, Business [email protected] Registration, Access to Finance 9 Valentina Veshollari Municipality of Pogradec Specialist Local Economic Development 0692632911; [email protected] 10 Enver Gorica Creative Business Solutions Business Advisor Business Management & Business Planning [email protected]

11 Lulezim Kadiasi individual consultant Agribusiness management; HACCP; Organic [email protected]

12 Sabah Sena Albanian Group of Agricultural Professor Food Safety, Agribusiness Management [email protected] Advisors 13 Renato Vasili Venture Consulting Managing director Product Development, Selling strategy, [email protected] Pricing Strategy 14 Petrit Dobi Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Rural development, Animal Health - bees [email protected]

15 Anila Hoda Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Rural development, Animal Health- bees [email protected]

16 Lumturi Sena Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Food Safety, Agribusiness Management; including honey [email protected] businesses; queen bee health

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 42 LIST OF SUGGESTED CONTACTS/ STAKEHOLDERS/ EXPERTS FOR TRAININGS NO. NAME_SURNAME ORGANIZATION POSITION AREA OF EXPERTISE CONTACT 17 Fatjon Hoxha Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Food Technology, Honey quality [email protected]

18 Ilir Kapaj Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Agribusiness management [email protected]

19 Anila Hoda Agricultural University of Tirana Professor Rural development, Animal Health- bees [email protected]

20 ICDQ Albania Organic, HACCP, ISO certifications [email protected]

GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 43

U.S. Agency for International Development PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA RR. DERVISH HIMA 3 KULLAT PRAPA STAD. QEMAL STAFA KULLA 1, APT. 91, KATI 10 TIRANA, ALBANIA www.plgp.al facebook.com/Albania.USAID GENDER-SENSITIVE VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF POGRADEC 44