TIRANA, Jan 24 /ATA/ The EU ambassador Luigi Soreca said that he was very happy to be here today with Prime Minister Rama and Minister Krifca to launch the 4th IPARD call for proposals – the total amount available is 4.1 Million euro, which will be focussed towards (1) developing nature and rural tourism and the (2) handcrafts and manufacturing industry.
Present at the meeting that was held today in Mullet, for the launch of the fourth call of the IPARD II program focused on rural tourism and the handicraft industry and manufacturing, Soreca said that, “I expect this call will bring rural areas closer urban markets and increase competitiveness.”
“Overall, our goal is to help develop a sustainable agri-food sector that produces high quality and safe food that meets European standards, respects the environment, but also promotes Albanian rural traditions and cultural heritage, enriching the attractiveness of rural tourism.”
He recalled his very first event with the Prime Minister as EU Ambassador to Albania at the launch of the 1st IPARD call back in October 2018.
Today, we are here together to launch the 4th call. No better illustration of the EU’s consistent commitment towards the Albanian people and Albania’s European path.
Soreca said that agriculture and rural areas play an important role in Albania. Almost 40% percent of the Albanian population live in rural areas, and even today, the agri-food sector contributes to 20% of the GDP and gathers almost half of the Albanian workforce.
In the last decade, the European Union has made available 100 million euro to support the modernisation of Albanian agriculture, including 71 million euro for IPARD alone,
This makes the EU, by far, the biggest supporter of Albania’s agriculture and food sectors.
This assistance is having an important impact. Over 400 farmers and agri-business are already benefiting from EU funds under the first three IPARD calls.
This success could of course not be possible without the mobilisation of the Albanian administration, who are our partners in IPARD.
As you may know, the agri-tourism business we are visiting today is an IPARD beneficiary and a successful one. With great potential, given the quality of its services.
From this agro-tourism, I encourage all farmers, agribusinesses and agricultural companies to seize the opportunities opened with IPARD funds, and consider investing in nature and rural tourism as well as in handicrafts.
You have until 25 February to apply.
In parallel to launching this call, it is important looking already at the future. For Albanian farmers and agri-businesses to profit fully, the Government of Albania can and should take some specific actions:
A farmers’ register in place, and a Farm Accountancy Data Network to know better the needs of those addressed by agricultural policy.
Staff to support a higher level of IPARD operation, both in the management and control structures, and in the operating structures.
And above all, it is essential to ensure the transparency and correctness of the use of EU funds.
In the last two years I have visited and hiked in many Albanian villages of incredible beauty. It is clear to me that Albania’s European integration must take place not only in the cities, but also in the countryside, where the heart of the country still beats.
For her part, ARDA Director, Eranda Selmanaj, said that, “in the rural development program with the fourth call for applications in the IPARD II program that we are promoting today, we aim to provide a window of communication for all potential applicants, to have as many investments as possible in rural tourism. ”
During her speech, Selmanaj said that the 4th call for applications was launched on January 10 and will continue until February 25, 2022. The budget allocated for this call is 5.2 million euros, which is 75% financed by the EU and 25% by the Albanian government. The rural and nature sector and the craft and manufacturing sector are the two directions that this call supports.
“Anyone who will set up a guesthouse in the village, or start a new agritourism accommodation activity with 40 beds, must apply. A land ownership document or a 10-year land lease is required for each applicant. All projects should start only after concluding the contract with ARDA and all costs should be part of the application. It is important for the applicant to have a profitable project that generates income and employment,” she said.
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