The European Commission pledged EUR 115 million from the EU budget for to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key public buildings.

The EU4Schools Programme, funded by the European Union with EUR 75 million. More than 60 education facilities in the 11 earthquake-affected municipalities are being reconstructed or repaired in the context of the Programme, which is implemented by UNDP, reviving hopes for a better future for 25,000 pupils, kids and teachers.

More than 15 000 pupils, kids and 1050 teachers and over 860 000 local residents in the affected communities are direct beneficiaries from construction of 52 educational facilities that has completed to date.

In the meantime, 8 more schools are currently being constructed or repaired.

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Ambassador Soreca noted that more than 11,000 pupils and 748 teachers will begin school year in brand-new educational facilities recently built under the post-earthquake EU4Schools programme in Albania.

“We are proud that through our flagship programme, EU4Schools, more than 11,000 pupils and 748 teachers start this year in brand-new facilities. These modern schools and kindergartens are stronger, safer, and more accessible, built together with the local community,” Soreca said in his message.

The EU Ambassador noted that construction of four new schools has already completed and six more schools are currently under construction.

He praised the amazing results the EU has achieved together with the implementing partner UNDP in Albania.

“The EU’s quick and effective response to the post-earthquake recovery process in the education sector in Albania is now a reality for the Albanian people,” Charge d’affaires, Ambassador Luigi Soreca said.

The new 2023-2024 school year started on Monday all over Albania’s pre-university education system.

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Within this principle, monitoring inspections constitute a very essential element, with transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and the greatest commitment of the beneficiaries being fully guaranteed.

After public consultations with direct involvement of students, teachers, local residents, central and local authorities, planning reconstruction of educational facilities according to their main needs, monitoring visits to the construction site also ensure these stakeholders to closely inspect premises and confirm whether educational structures have been reconstructed or repaired according to their needs; to follow the progress of the completed works; to be informed in real time by the engineers and staff of the program about safety, the quality of materials used, hygiene and sanitary works, etc.

The EU4Schools programme is being implemented by the UNDP, in cooperation with the Albanian Government. It aims to support Albanian citizens in eleven affected municipalities, namely: Kruja, Durrës, Kurbin, Kamza, Kavaja, Tirana, Mirdita, Lezha, Rrogozhina, Shijak, Vora in the area of education. The Programme is part of the European Union’s financial commitment during the International Donor’s Conference, organized in Brussels on February 17, 2020.

The overall objective of this Action is to further support local and national governments in reducing social and economic losses, and to accelerate the recovery process through educational facility repairs and reconstruction.

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