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MDG

United Nations
A LBA N I A

UN Joint Programme on YOUTH EMPLOYMENT and MIGRATION Kshilli i Qarkut Kuks Kuks Regional Council

KUKES REGION

TERRITORIAL EMPLOYMENT PACT FOR YOUTH

This document was developed with the technical assistance of the International Labour Office

The KR-TEP is prepared in the context of the Youth Employment and Migration (YEM) programme. The YEM programme is a joint effort of the Government of Albania and the United Nations aimed at enhancing the employment impact of ongoing policies and strategies. It is funded by the Government of Spain through the Millennium Development Goal Achievement Fund (MDG-F)

Acknowledgements
The preparation of the 2011 Territorial Employment Pact (TEP) for Youth was led by the Regional Employment Board, a multi-stakeholder body established under the aegis of the Kukes Regional Council. The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities facilitated the dialogue among national and local partners and provided inputs into the 6-month long consultation process. Fation Dragoshi, local economic development expert, conducted the territorial audit, prepared the final text of TEP, and consolidated all the inputs in one coherent document under the technical guidance and supervision of Daniela Zampini, Chief Technical Adviser of the UN Joint Programme on Youth Employment and Migration (YEM). Special thanks go to Shefqet Bruka, Chairman of the Kukes Regional Employment Board, for coordinating the territorial audit and the sessions of the Regional Employment Board, Kastriot Sulka, Deputy Minister, and Arjeta Late, Director of Employment Policies at MoLSAEO, for supporting the promotion of TEPs as a vehicle to facilitate youth employment. Employers and workers organizations have taken responsibility for leading implementation in the most remote areas of the Kukes Region. Bukurosh Onuzi and his team have been instrumental in delivering the commitment of the several actors involved in the TEP. Many people shall be acknowledged for having contributed in various capacities to the articulation of the Kukes Regions first TEP for Youth, starting from all the active members of the Regional Employment Board. The best way to give recognition to their efforts is to successfully implement the TEP and achieve the objectives that were set out in terms of youth employment and formalization of workers and enterprises. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible time and work put in by the YEM support team: Emirjon Kacaj, Teuta Zejno and Blerina Dhrami. Thanks to Adi Haluli for his careful driving in the most remote corners of the Kukes Region.
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Contents
List of Acronyms .........................................................................................................................6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................9 ACTION PLAN.......................................................................................................................14 Action 1: Regulatory interventions towards the formalization of employment ...........................14 Action 2: Incentives for transition to formalization of workers in the mining industry ..............17 Action 3: Employment generation and formalization through local networks of producers (apple trees) ..........................................................................................................22 Action 4: Formalization of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (goat breeding) ..........................................................................................................................26 Action 5: Formalization of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (beekeeping)..............................................................................................................................30 Action 6: Formalization and generation of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (chestnuts) ...............................................................................................................34 Action 7: Formalization and generation of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (potato growers and collectors) ........................................................................38 Action 8: Generating employment through value chain upgrading (fish) for micro enterprises .......................................................................................................................42 Action 9: Employment generation for young women in the handicrafts sector ..........................45 Action 10: Creating opportunities for (better) employment for young people in the tourism sector......................................................................................................................49 Action 11: Regulatory framework for formalizing employment through support to micro-enterprises...................................................................................................................52 Action 12: Generating ideas for sustainable enterprises..............................................................54 ANNEX 1: Summary Table.......................................................................................................56 ANNEX 2: List of Participants to the KR-TEP .........................................................................58 SIGNATORIES ........................................................................................................................60

List of Acronyms

AAA A ADAD BDS CfA A CfP CFW W CoATU DCM GoA A ILC ILO ILS LEDA A

Albanian Artisans Association Agriculture Development Association Business Development Services Call for Applications Call for Proposals Contributing Family Workers Confederation of Albanian Trade Unions Decision of the Council of Ministers Government of Albania International Labour Conference International Labour Organization International Liaison Services for Local Economic Development Agencies

IMI IOM ISI KBA A KFF KR R KRC KRTEP LC LEAA A LFS MADA A
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Illyria Minerals Industry International Organization for Migration Institute for Social Insurances Kukes Beekeepers Association Kukes Farmers Federation Kukes Region Kukes Regional Council Kukes Region Tourism and Environment Promotion Lincoln Centre Livestock Entrepreneurs Association Albania Labour Force Survey Mountain Areas Development Agency Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund

MDG-F

MoAFCP MoES MoF MoLSAEO MVETCNEA

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection Ministry of Education and Science Ministry of Finance Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Mobile Vocational Education Centre for North-Eastern Areas

NES NRC OJT OSH PARD RDAFCP

National Employment Service National Registration Centre On-the-Job-Training Occupation, Safety and Health Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection

REB REO SADC SASA A SME TEP UN UNDP UNICEF UoITUA A VAA A YEM YES YR@W W

Regional Employment Board Regional Employment Office Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Sustainable Agriculture Support for Albania Small and Medium Businesses Territorial Employment Pact United Nations United Nations Development Programme United Nations Children Fund Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania Valbona Accommodation Association Youth Employment and Migration Youth Employment Services Youths Rights at Work
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Kukes Region Territorial Employment Pact (TEP) for youth is an institutional innovation1 based on negotiated planning, where different actors at the local level assume complementary and inter-connected roles and responsibilities in view of employment objectives. The 2011 TEP involves around 40 national and local partners. The implementation of the 2011 TEP (12 actions) costs 244,180 USD2, of which 155,180 USD are provided by the ILO in the framework of the Youth Employment and Migration programme (YEM) and 89,000 USD are in-kind contributions of public institutions, enterprises, trade unions, and associations. The TEP also leverages the impact of grant schemes for around 300,000 USD provided by the Government of Albania for agriculture and rural development in the region of Kukes3. It will impact 942 individuals (with 440 new jobs created) in the Kukes Region and between 6-8,000 people at the national level (trickle-down effect induced by changes in the regulatory framework). * * * A striking feature of the Albanian youth labour market is the men/women and rural/urban divide: Young women are more exposed than their male peers to inactivity, unemployment and vulnerable employment, whereas youth living in rural areas are more likely than urban youth to be unemployed or to be working in precarious conditions, and to be poor. Although regional differences in poverty rates have narrowed in the period 2002-2008, the North-East part of the country remains the one where most of the poor are concentrated. Work in the informal economy appears to be the only opportunity to earn a living for many young people both in rural and urban areas. Thus, employment in the informal economy remains pervasive, with approximately 70 per cent of all young workers exposed to it.
1 TEPs constitute a model of territorial concertation which has been adopted in many European countries. They were introduced experimentally in 1996 and then re-proposed in a new form for the period 2000-2006. 2 The exchange rate applied throughout the document is 1 USD = 100.6 ALL. In some cases the amounts are rounded up. 3 Government of Albania for agriculture and rural development in the region of Kukes.

To date, actions to address the informal economy have focused mainly on reducing the corporate tax and social security contribution burden on enterprises, with little attention paid to the determinants of informality and to issues related to the enforcement of employment protection legislation. As a consequence, these measures yielded limited results in terms of moving workers and enterprises to the formal economy. Little attention has been paid to the costs associated with the large number of workers engaged as contributing family members, particularly in the agriculture sector. The Kukes Region (KR) faces challenges that are typical of the world of work in rural areas, such as: i) a high incidence of family and informal work; ii) women and youth disproportionally affected by vulnerabilities; iii) poor occupational health and safety and working conditions in certain industries; iv) limited infrastructure and access to public services; v) lack of training and productivity improvement opportunities. In light of these specific challenges, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MoLSAEO) has facilitated the preparation of a Territorial Employment Pact (TEP) for Youth for the Kukes Region, by supporting the leading role of the regional authorities and regional employment offices (through the Kukes Employment Board) and mobilising the support of relevant national partners. The Kukes Region TEP strengthens the local co-ordination of ongoing activities, programmes, and interventions that have a human and economic development orientation. It applies an employment lens to the ongoing initiatives in order to bring into focus (youth) employment generation and transition to formalization. The KR-TEP is a partnership of local actors based on the conciliation of interests expressed by the multiple forces of the Kukes Region (local authorities, business associations, trade unions, cultural and environmental associations, professional bodies, financial institutions, etc.). The Kukes RegionTEP is based on 4 pillars which revolve around i) transition to formalization of workers and enterprises; ii) a communication and awareness raising campaign on safe migration and employment issues; iii) livelihood and employability training tools delivered through a partnership with the Don Bosko Center and other training institutions that operate in collaboration with the Youth Employment Service (YES) Centre within the Regional Employment Office (REO); iv) work-training programmes established through the REO. The 12 actions included in this document describe in detail the first pillar of the KRTEP and highlight a series of service lines established in the Kukes Region to facilitate youth employment and the transition of workers to formalization.
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The Kukes Region TEP for Youth recognizes that formalization is a gradual process4. All actions addressing decent work deficits in the informal economy
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This is in line with the 2002 Resolution on Decent Work and the Informal Economy, adopted by the International Labour Conference (ILC).

have to take into consideration the diversity of informal work, the local reality of rural communities where employment is characterised by seasonality and is often based on family units, and the specificities of the context in which measures are implemented5. Recently launched infrastructure projects and investments in tourism and mining sector offer some employment opportunities for the local communities in the Kukes Region. The interventions proposed in the TEP 2011 are based on the assessment of the main local (rural and urban) development strategies in the Kukes Region such as, among others, the Kukes Region Tourism Strategy and Action and Kukes Region Tourism and Environment Promotion Assessment Study6. This review has highlighted three main strategic entry points: i) implementation of effective regulations that enable shift from informality to formal status, which can assist in raising productivity, increasing earnings, and extending coverage of existing rights, social protection and social dialogue (see for instance TEP Actions 1 and 2);

ii) investments in productivity improvements and diversification of agricultural activities, which have a disproportionally positive impact on the incomes of the poorest and have strong linkages with off-farm activities (such as for instance TEP Actions 4 and 5); iii) implementation of innovative measures, based on training and incentives, that help identify new sources of demand (including production for local consumption and markets for high-value products) (such as for instance TEP Actions 7 and 9). Thus, the Kukes Region TEP establishes 6 inter-connected service lines:
1. Entrepreneurship and business advisory services, with a particular focus on women 2. Training incentives/skills training grants 3. Access to credit opportunities 4. Subsidised employment 5. Organization/association building (to enhance voice and representation) 6. Regulatory environment, including rights
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This is in line with the 2008 Resolution concerning Promotion of Rural Employment for Poverty Reduction, adopted by the ILC. 6 The knowledge base for the development of the TEP has come from the work and analysis conducted under other programmes such as ART GOLD 2 Programme in Albania or Improving the Performance of Livestock Sector in Albania. Due to limited resources, there has been no opportunity to investigate other potential areas/value chains for inclusion in this TEP.

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In view of integrating European employment guidelines into Albanias active employment policies, the preparation of the Kukes Region TEP followed the steps and methodology used for other pacts for employment and development realised in several European regions in the 1990s and early 2000s7. In particular: 1. Identification of a relevant territory (Kukes Region and micro-areas within Kukes, with similar challenges and potential for development). 2. Dialogue and collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and the regional and local governments to seek the commitment of those who have the resources and responsibility for the future development of the region and its communities. 3. Completion of a participatory strategic audit of the areas (for instance through value chain and sectoral analysis) for the determination of problems, common concerns, and prospects of the different actors who are active in the field of employment in the respective area. 4. Identification of a planning group/development agency responsible for the strategy (the Kukes Regional Employment Board, supported by a team of technical specialists from the Ministry of Labour and the YEM programme). The group is also responsible for continuous monitoring and for evaluation. 5. Selection of a set of strategic interventions that are attainable within the relevant time-scale and with measurable impacts in terms of employment generation/formalization. These are formally laid down in an agreement described as a territorial employment pact. 6. Mobilisation of the appropriate capacities and organisations for delivery, according to transparency and efficiency criteria. In this context, national and local authorities, as well as other public entities, undertake those commitments toward simplification and acceleration of procedures; banks and other credit institutions, within the limits of their statutes, assume the commitment to support financial assistance; private sector, trade unions and other civil society organizations carry out their roles as stipulated in the TEP.
For a review of the initiatives and a catalogue of Territorial Employment Pacts in Europe, see for instance Territorial Pacts and Local Level Concertation in Europe. A multi-level governance perspective, prepared in August 2007 for the New Modes of Governance Project. The document contains a catalogue of hundreds of TEPs formulated in EU Member States since 1996.
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One of the comparative advantages of the TEP vis--vis formalization and generation of employment is that it promotes a close partnership between regional and local actors and the local branches of the National Employment Services (NES), which is mandated8 to provide services to all the unemployed persons who are looking for work, to workers looking to change jobs, and to employers, in order to achieve the overall objective of full and productive employment, improving quality and productivity of labour and strengthening social cohesion. While it would be unrealistic to expect that the National Employment Service be in a position to extend fullyfledged services to all the rural areas of Albania, the TEP actions, based on concertation and partnership, de-facto extend outreach and impact of NES services towards those who are unemployed or in vulnerable working conditions in the most remote areas of the country. The TEP was developed in the context of the implementation of Albanias Youth Employment National Action Plan (NAP). Adopted in 2010 by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Action Plan offers to policy makers over forty policy options that would allow the Government of Albania to address youth employment challenges and achieve the objectives of the existing strategies on youth development, migration, employment, and vocational training. Moreover, the Action Plan recognizes that local governments and labour market institutions need to have the capacity to design, monitor, and evaluate youth employment interventions targeted to the local circumstances. In particular, Output 1.1.5 of the Youth Employment National Action Plan envisages the promotion of social pacts on youth employment in regions with a high incidence of youth at risk of labour market exclusion. The Kukes Region Territorial Employment Pact for Youth is the first attempt to realize this local-level concertation. Driven by the Regional Employment Board, the Pact defines the roles and responsibilities of over forty actors involved in efforts to generate and formalize employment in the Region. The TEP is a replicable model. With the support of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Kukes Regional Authorities can already begin promoting subsequent TEPs (for 2012 and onwards), with specific actions and targets, and build relevant partnerships for implementation. Other regions and micro-regions of Albania can also engage in the necessary steps (see above) to move from a territorial audit to a Pact for employment generation. * * *

8 Article 2 and 3 of the NES Statute, Council of Ministers Decision N. 42/1998 as amended by Council of Ministers Decision 263/2000 and 17/2003.

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ACTION PLAN
Action 1: Regulatory interventions towards the formalization of employment
Relevant service line: (Regulatory environment)

Objective
To implement regulations that leverage incentives for registration of (micro) farmers as self-employed in agriculture at the national social insurance system (ISI).

Target
A 1.8 per cent reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture (over 300 people in Kukes and between 6-8,000 people impacted by the measure at the national level)

Background and Baseline


The 2010 Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development t (PARD) allocated 15,000,000 USD for support to farmers throughout Albania. The relevant Decisions of the Council of Ministers and the subsequent Directives emanating from the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance and regulating the management of the programme, have never explicitly foreseen the inclusion of the specific requirement that PARD beneficiaries must be registered as self-employed in agriculture. Such a registration g is mandatory y in Albania (DCM no. 1114, 30/07/2008); thus, the provision of public funds to those who are not registered reinforces an illegal behaviour.
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Under TEP Action 1, it is recommended that the 2011 Directive include the criteria that each beneficiary of the programme shall be registered with ISI for that

fiscal year. Proof of payment of contributions (or proof of inclusion on the social assistance scheme) shall be included in the PARD verification process. The Kukes Region receives on average 300,000 USD from PARD. In 2010, the total number of beneficiaries was 504 individuals. According to survey data9, the number of self employed and contributing family workers in agriculture for the Kukes Region is 8,801 individuals, while the ISI register indicates only 3,155 people self-employed in agriculture (36%). It can reasonably be expected that the insertion of the requirement that PARD beneficiaries must be regularly registered would lead to the formalization of around 322 jobs and an increase of ISI revenues by 4,265856 ALL10 per year. PARD reports and data from ISI need to be analysed at the end of the PARD implementation (January 2012).
Responsible Partners
Ministry i of f Lab bour, Soci ial l Aff Affai irs and d Equal l Opportuni iti ies (MoLSA LSAEO EO) ) Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection (MoAFCP) Mini nist istry ry o of f Fi Fina nanc nce e (MoF oF) F) Mountain Areas Development Agency (MADA)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


In December 2010, MoLSAEO experts negotiated the necessary changes that should be reflected in the Directive emanating from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance (based on DCM no. 1290, dated 23/12/2009) and establishing the 2011 allocation to PARD. The MoAFCP shall issue the Directive by late January 2011.

Sustainability/Replicability:
1. It is auspicated that the criteria will be applied by MADA and other agencies providing grants/loans for the development of agriculture and rural areas. MADA through its Mountains Towards the Markets Programme, subcomponent 1.2 Strategic investments and market entities, provides small grants (up to 2,500 USD) for farmers and farmers groups.

9 (LFS 2008) Tabulation: Economic activity code (NACE Rev1.1) professional status (self-employed and contributing family workers) by Region. 10 Kukes Regions districts are considered highland area and thus the yearly contribution for health and social insurance is 13,248 ALL.

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2. Subsequent revisions of the Directive (such as in December 2011) may be able to establish that projects awarded a grant under PARD shall foresee the registration also of the contributing family members that are indicated as participating in the implementation of the PARD-financed project. This is in line with the recommendation that special attention should be paid to the vulnerable category of contributing family workers (CFW, also known as unpaid family workers).

Risk Assumptions
MoLSAEO and MoAFCP might not reach full agreement on this and subsequent modifications required in the schemes. This additional requirement may reduce the profitability of some of the PARD schemes and thus negatively affect the number of applications submitted. In 2010, the cost of registration as self-employed in agriculture (social contributions and health insurances) was 20,640 ALL (~206 USD) per person/year, with the exception of 15 districts throughout Albania (including the 3 districts of the Kukes Region), where the cost amounted to 13,248 ALL (~132 USD) per person/year. According to our estimates, only in the case of the scheme targeting small ruminants, the requirement may actually be a disincentive. Beneficiaries may in fact receive 300 ALL/ per head, with an approximate total of 15000 (~150 USD) a year. It is thus recommended that the compensation level for this particular scheme be raised to 700 ALL/per head, yielding a total amount of 35000 ALL (~350 USD) a year.

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Action 2: Incentives for transition to formalization of workers in the mining industry


Relevant micro-area: areas surrounding Malzi Commune and Golaj Commune Relevant service line: (Training incentives/skills training grants)

Objective
To create the conditions for decent employment of miners (including young informal workers)

Target
A reduction in the number of miners informally employed, including young informal workers, and affected by serious decent work deficits An increase in the number of training opportunities and job vacancies for young unemployed people registered at NES

Background and Baseline


Public authorities and mining companies in the Kukes Region face a common challenge with regard to the illegal extraction carried out by individuals hired by unregistered companies or operating in isolation. These people work under very difficult circumstances, with essentially no safety at work. Some of them do not have the basic skills for mining and/or knowledge of occupational safety and health (OSH) at work. At least 3 fatal accidents occurred in 2010 in one of the mine sites. In April 2010, KURUM International and Sichuan Jiannanchun International Group Ltd signed a 30-year concessionary agreement for the management of the chromium mines and enrichment factories in Kalimash and Vlahna, respectively. This Consortium will be able to employ around 450 people in the medium to long-term. The GoA has negotiated that during the first years of activity, 50% of the workers will be recruited locally and every year their number will increase. Consultations with the company indicate that they may be able to recruit around 200 people in 2011. The formulation of the TEP created the opportunity for
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MoLSAEO and NES to partner with the Consortium and the local representatives of the trade unions (BSPSH and KSSH) and devise specific measures targeting informal employment in the Kukes mines.

Responsible Partners
MoLS MoLS LSAE AEO( AE O(i O( incl in lud udi ding ing lab labour bour i ins nspe pect ctor torat te) ) National Employment Service (NES) Regional Employment Office (REO) / YES Centre Mobi Mo bile le V VET ET C Cen entr tre e fo for r No Nort rth h E Eas aste tern rn Are Areas as Malzi Commune / Golaj Commune Regi Re gion ional lE Emp mpl loymen loym ent t Boar Board d (R (REB EB) EB ) Local Branches of Trade Unions (BSPSH and KSSH) Illyria Minerals Industry sh.a

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


1. Curriculum Development: Starting from December 2010, MoLSAEO collaborated with the mobile VET centre for North-Eastern areas to design and approve the curricula for a 100-hours course (theory only) on safety and health at work in the mining sector. The course is based on the advisory services of several experts mobilised by MoLSAEO and NES and builds on the experience gained in the Bulqiza mines. 2. Identification of beneficiaries: On the basis of an Order of the Minister of Labour, the REO works in cooperation with the local representatives of the trade unions (UoITUA and CoATU) to sensitise and mobilise people from the communities living around the two mine sites of Kalimash and Vlahna. The objective of the trade unions action is to raise awareness among members of the local communities about the dangers and health risks of working under unsafe conditions in the mines, particularly among those who find themselves exposed to additional vulnerabilities due to informal work or other exploitative situations engendered by illegal companies operating without proper license. The trade unions work in partnership with the traditional leaders in the relevant communes (Malzi and Golaj) to distribute informative leaflets (around 1,000) and hold public meetings with the local communities in these remote areas of the Kukes Region. This concerted action is aimed at driving away people from the illegal/ informal operations and prepare them (through training and re-training) to be progressively re-employed by the Consortium. The intervention of the trade unions is meant to reduce the social unrest among those living/ operating around the mines and who may feel that they are losing their
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immediate source of livelihood without understanding the long-term gains of the transition to formal (and safe) work. In collaboration with the local employment offices of Has and Kukes, a once-off register will be created in the respective communes. On the basis of this consolidated list, 200 people will receive training on safety and health at work in the mining sector. Prior to undertaking the training, those who meet the criteria established by NES, will be invited to register as unemployed jobseekers at the relevant office. 3. Delivery of the training (April/May 2011): The REO, in collaboration with the staff of the VET centre and the trade unions, will oversee the delivery of the training and the examination process. The Ministry of Education has already instructed the local Directorate to identify suitable rooms for training in the communes nearby. Training will also take place at the Kukes REO/YES centre. Those who successfully complete the training will receive an OSH Certificate recognized by the Albanian institutions. Their names will be passed on to the Consortium, which, on the basis of the trainees previous experience, will identify opportunities for regular employment. The Consortium will organise further onthe-job training to complete the programme according to the specific requirements of the job. 4. Subsequent phase (Autumn 2011): The REO will identify up to a 100 youth to participate in trainings on youths rights at work (YR@W) and safety and health at work in the mining sector. The first training will be offered by the trade unions in collaboration with the YES centre and the YEM programme. The latter will be provided jointly by the YEM Programme (100 hours of theory, as per the VET curriculum) and IMI sh.a and/or its subcontractor (200 hours of practice) in the mines of Kalimash and Vlahna.

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Indicators
People in vulnerable employment and unemploy l ed d are id identifi tified d and d parti ticipat i te in i OSH training (200 informal miners and 100 youth) organised by the VET mobile centre

Inputs
28,000 USD YEM programme 1,000 USD - in-kind contribution of the local branches of the Trade Unions (UoITUA and CoATU)

Young unemployed participate in training on 1,200 USD - in-kind contribution of the Youths Rights a Work (up to 100) Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) People transitioning to formalization complete 800 USD - in-kind contribution of the REO on-the-job training (200 people in vulnerable (YES centre) employment and 100 youth, with 200 people in 74, 000 USD - in-kind contribution of the decent work after the training) Consortium to cover OJT costs Outputs 2.1 1 Mi Mine ne wor worke kers rs are are f for orma mali lise sed d th thro roug ugh h a joint intervention of NES, trade unions and enterprises 105,000 USD

(of which 77,000 USD are in-kind contribu2.2 Potential discontent is managed by trade tions of partners) unions through community talks and dialogue 2.3 Training is jointly delivered by public centres and private enterprises

Sustainability/Replicability:
1. It is expected that the Regional Employment Board (REB) will be in a position to replicate this type of intervention with own (public) or donor resources in other sectors where people operate informally. 2. The TEP process will enhance dialogue and partnership between the REB, REO and potential investors in the Kukes Region (such as the Consortium) as to maximize employment generation opportunities. For instance, the Consortium already indicated that once the enrichment processes start, they would be willing to recruit up to 30 women in the Has district. Partners may need to explore the need for curriculum development and training of young local women from the areas surrounding Vlahna mine. 3. It may be advisable for the REB to lobby for the establishment of a mining task force in the region along the lines of the work carried out in Diber, so as to facilitate similar actions in the future.
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Risk Assumptions
This action needs to be implemented sufficiently fast so as to preserve the commitment of all partners (and particularly the Consortium).

Poor weather conditions and the difficulty of withdrawing from work may adversely impact the ability of mine workers to attend the training.

Trade unions and other local partners assist to manage the social conflict fuelled by those who were previously operating illegally and exploiting workers in the two mine sites.

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TEP Actions 3 to 8 revolve around interventions for employment generation and transition to formalization of workers and enterprises in agri-business. The overall objective is to formalize workers in rural households through enterprise upgrading, access to market, and association building. TEP Actions 3 to 6 contribute to two main targets related to i) a reduction in the number of informal workers in agriculture; and ii) an overall 2% decrease in the number of young people in vulnerable employment (particularly contributing family workers). According to survey data11, there are around 8,000 contributing family workers living in the Kukes Region, of which over one third are young women aged between 15-29 years old.

Action 3: Employment generation and formalization through local networks of producers (apple trees)
Relevant micro-areas: Has District (Fajz Commune, Gjinaj Commune, Golaj Commune and Krum Municipality) Relevant service lines: (Entrepreneurship advisory services) (Access to credit opportunities) (Association building)

Objective
To formalize and generate employment by supporting rural households in joining a network of producers
Source: INSTAT, LFS 2009. Statistically, contributing family workers, also known as unpaid family workers, are those workers who are self-employed, as own-account workers, in a market-oriented establishment operated by a related person living in the same household. From a labour market perspective, Albania faces a big challenge with its 340,000 unpaid family workers, which represent around 30% of total employment and point in the direction of high rates of job creation in the informal economy. A high incidence of contributing family workers in total employment signals to policy makers that development may be of limited scope, often by-passing the rural areas of the country. This phenomenon is often associated with low levels of education (in Albania more than three out of four contributing family workers have only attended basic education).
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Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture A reduction by at least 2% in the number of young people in vulnerable employment (particularly contributing family workers)

Background and Baseline


Has District is located on the shores of Fierza Lake. Surrounded by hills, it enjoys the perfect conditions for apple trees. A few years ago, two initial attempts to promote intensive apple plantations in this area proved to be a successful innovation. In 2010, the Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development allocated 331,820 USD to 504 farmers, households and/or groups from the Kukes Region; out of these, 109 projects were intending on creating fruit tree plantations.

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regional Council (KRC) Institute of Social Insurances (ISI) ) Regional Directorate of Agriculture (RDAFCP)

ADAD Association12 Regi Re gion onal al Emp Emplo loym ymen ent t Bo Boar ard d (R (REB EB) ) 13 Kukes Farmers Federation (KFF)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 1 and 5: Business advisory services and association building This measure targets specifically families with young family members of working age (16-29), particularly female contributing family workers. It is expected that up to 10 families from the designated area will benefit from the grants awarded by
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Founded in 1996, ADAD comprises of 11 groups of producers in the mountainous regions of Kukes, Dibra and Korca. For the last 15 years, working in partnership with the French-sponsored FERT, ADAD has built a solid reputation with regard to the technical and advisory services provided to farmers, focusing on a shift towards intensive fruit trees plantations. ADAD runs the two existing seedling nurseries for fruit trees in Albania. The origin of the seedlings is certified in line with European standards. 13 In 2007, some farmers from the Kukes Region created an association to represent their interests and give them a voice vis--vis the institutions. The Kukes Farmers Federation is a non-profit and nongovernmental organization, which relies on voluntary work of its members. Its main governing bodies are the general meeting and the chairperson of the Federation. The Federation tries to increase the presence and role of farmer associations and interest groups in the communities in view of improving working and living conditions through coordination, mediation and dialogue with the institutions at the national and local level.

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KRC (see below, description of service line 3) and thus establish intensive apple plantations. Each successful candidate will receive recurrent specialized advisory services for 36 months (starting from April 2011) by ADAD. Amongst others, one main requirement for participation is that two family members must register as self-employed in agriculture for 1 year. Beneficiaries will be supported to join forces in a group of common interest, which will be initially assisted by ADAD. This group will subsequently become a member of the Kukes Farmers Federation (KFF). Moreover, ADAD will realise a transfer of skills to the young people of working age in the selected families with regard to basic notions of agricultural enterprise management. In order to benefit from the scheme, the head of household shall prove to be registered at ISI together with any family member participating in the implementation of the project. Service line 3 Access to credit opportunities This action envisages a 10,000 USD grant component, which will be administered by KRC. In collaboration with KRC, towards the end of March 2011, the RDAFCP launches a grant competition (based on the PARD model) for farmers from Has District. Ten grants of 1,000 USD each will be assigned to selected projects. Grants are not provided in cash, but are assigned to beneficiaries on the basis of the proposal they have submitted to the competition and disbursed in accordance with the individualized professional advice provided by ADAD as part of this programme. The competition/CfP will indicate that a copy of a family certificate shall be submitted together with the application. A group comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, two RDAFCP staff and the YEM Programme is responsible for evaluating the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP).

Indicators
receiving financial support linked to advisory services (10 farming households) Farmers registering as self-employed in agri ag ricu cult ltur ure e (> (>20 20) ) Young contributing family workers receiving basic training on agriculture enterprise management (>20)

Inputs
23,500 500 USD USD YEM YEM pro progr gram amme me 6,000 USD in-kind contribution of ADAD over 2012 and 2013

24

3.1 Farmers producing apples are assist technical advisory services 3.2 Local rural micro-enterprises are integrated in local voluntary associa

29,500 USD (of which 6,000 USD is the in-kind

Sustainability/Replicability
1. The GoA runs an annual scheme supported through the state budget (PARD)14. As the shift towards intensive plantations proves to be a feasible and affordable model to transition Albania into European level farming, it is expected that farmers with relevant know-how will be progressively more eligible to obtain public sector funding to establish or expand their farms. The shift towards intensive plantations can be replicated in other areas and with other types of fruit trees.

2. It is also quite remarkable that ADAD has committed to provide its specialised services beyond the timeframe of the TEP in order to ensure that the positive results achieved throughout the first year of implementation are consolidated and farmers can sustainably continue expanding their operations on the basis of sound advisory services.

3. The impact of the action can be measured vis--vis the performance of other households working in agriculture. Two parallel assessment can be run, with regard to a) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have not received financial support; and b) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have received financial support (through PARD or other grant providing mechanisms) but not specialised technical advisory services.

Risk Assumptions
Farmers may not immediately recognise the benefits of registering with ISI.
14

See Action 1.

25

Action 4: Formalization of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (goat breeding)


Relevant micro-areas: Bicaj Commune Relevant service lines: (Entrepreneurship advisory services) (Access to Credit Opportunities) (

Objective
To formalize workers in rural households through enterprise upgrading and association building

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture A reduction in the number of young people in vulnerable employment (contributing family workers)

Background and Baseline


Goat breeding (for milk and meat production) has great potential in the Kukes Region. In 2010, SNVs PROMALI project finalized the matriculation of all goats and sheep throughout the region, thereby providing a reliable head count for future interventions. In 2010, 363 households/farms with small ruminants (sheep only), benefited from the PARD programme for a total of over 150000 USD. The average grant provided per household was around 410 USD. In 2011, the scheme extends support also to households breeding goats.

26

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regional Council (KRC) Bica Bi caj j Co Comm mmun une e Institute of Social Insurances (ISI) Regional Directorate of Agriculture (RDAFCP) Regional Employment Board (REB) Kuk Ku kes Fa kes Farm rmer ers s Fed eder derat atio ion n (K (KFF FF) ) Livestock Entrepreneurs Association Albania (LEAA)15

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 1 and 5: Business advisory services and association building This measure targets specifically families with young family members of working age (16-29), particularly female contributing family workers. Twelve households will be selected to become part of the scheme (see below for more details on the criteria and selection process) and receive business advisory services for upgrading their farm over a period of 12 months. Amongst others, two main requirements have to be met in order to participate in the programme, i.e.: Contributing family members must register as self-employed in agriculture for 1 year; The family should be in ownership of at least 45 goats. The Livestock Entrepreneurs Association (LEAA) will be responsible for the delivery of the services to the farmers. LEAAs interventions will begin with a needs assessment. Within 6 weeks from the needs assessment, LEAA will have elaborated with the farmer a 1-year long work plan for farm upgrading. Emphasis is also on dialogue among farmers and with other actors involved in the value chain in view of sharing knowledge and experiences and exploring market opportunities. The training component will be directed mainly to young members of the households participating in the scheme and will cover issues such as: a) Breeding and selection to produce more and better milk; b) Reproduction issues, cross breeding with high genetics; c) Better feeding and pasturing practices (protein, minerals, vitamins, water, feeding ratio, free choice feeding, feeding systems); d) Better housing for extreme weather conditions (protection from cold and moisture); e) Milk and milking, improved sanitation of milk and milk products; f ) Control of internal
15

The Livestock Entrepreneurs Association of Albania (LEAA) was established in 1999 aiming to meet the needs and protect the interests of livestock farmers. LEAAs objectives include i) the enhancement of the livestock sector in Albania by providing technical assistance and information on breed improvement, management technologies, livestock equipment/supplies, genetic improvement, livestock and agriculture laws, markets and prices; and ii) the advocacy for pro-poor interventions in the livestock and connected sectors.

27

parasitic diseases that often lead to poor health and decreased milk production; e) Improved marketing of dairy goat products. It is LEAAs responsibility to monitor the implementation of the work plan for farm upgrading and submit quarterly reports to the RDAFCP and to the YEM programme. With the technical support offered by LEAA, all beneficiaries will be invited to become members of a group of common interests of goat breeders from Bicaj Commune which will in turn become a member of the Kukes Farmers Federation. Service Line 3: Access to credit opportunities In collaboration with KRC, the RDAFCP launches a grant competition (based on the PARD model) targeting farming families i) engaged in goat breeding, ii) residing in Bicaj Commune, and iii) in ownership of at least 45 goats (as per the SNV head-count). The competition/CfP will indicate that a copy of a family certificate shall be submitted together with the application and a copy of the payment of the ISS contributions for the relevant quarter. A group comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, two RDAFCP staff and the YEM Programme will evaluate the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP). Thus, this action envisages a 19,200 USD grant component, which will be administered by KRC. Each selected beneficiary will receive a grant of 1,600 USD. Disbursements are bound to the 1-year work plan prepared by LEAA on the basis of a needs assessment. Eligible expenditures under the grant are enterprise upgrading measures, such as an increase in the number of goats (including billygoats); re-construction of stables and other facilities; purchase of equipment (such as milking machines, food processors etc.).

Indicators

Inputs
30,200 USD YEM programme

financial support linked to advisory services (12 farming 1,000 USD - in-kind contribution hous ho useh ehol olds ds) ) of L LEA EAA A Young contributing family workers receiving basic training on agriculture enterprise management (>12) Farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture (>40)

28

4.1 Farmers engaged in goat breeding are assisted in transitioning to formalization with a combination of cred cr edit it a and nd t tec echn hnic ical al adv advis isor ory y se serv rvic ices es

31,200 USD

(of (o f wh whic ich h 1, 1,00 000 0 US USD D ar are e in in-k kin ind d 4.2 Local rural micro-enterprises are integrated in contributions of partners) local voluntary associations that give them voice and representation

Sustainability/Replicability
In order to increase the knowledge base of the relevant value chains, project partners will identify an international expert (preliminary discussions were held with ILS LEDA) to perform value chain analysis on milk production and processing in the Kukes Region mainly focusing in the Kukes and Has districts. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the relevant employers organization (the Agro-business Association). The outcomes of the value chain analysis will form the basis for a review of the business development opportunities in this sector. 1. Starting from 2011, PARD offers a support scheme also to goat breeders. Farmers that can reach the threshold of 50 goats will be eligible next year for further upgrading. 2. RDAFCP, in partnership with PRO MALI and MADA, will replicate this scheme focusing on small ruminants. 3. MADAs Mountains Towards the Markets project will run until 2013 and build on some of the achievements and knowledge base generated through the implementation of this action16. 4. The impact of the action can be measured vis--vis the performance of other households working in agriculture. Two parallel assessment can be run, with regard to a) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have not received financial support; and b) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have received financial support (through PARD or other grant providing mechanisms) but not specialised technical advisory services.

Risk Assumptions
Farmers may not immediately recognise the benefits of registering with ISI.
16

In collaboration with MADA, a handbook on goat breeding techniques will be prepared and made available to farmers in the area.

29

Action 5: Formalization of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (beekeeping)


Relevant micro-areas: Tropoja and Kukes districts Relevant service lines: (Entrepreneurship advisory services) (Access to credit opportunities)

Objective
To formalize workers in rural households through enterprise upgrading and association building

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture A reduction in the number of young people in vulnerable employment (contributing family workers)

Background and Baseline


Honey from Tropoja District has already carved itself a niche in the Albanian market. The production has been estimated at around 90 tons per year, coming from the over 6,000 beehives. Every year more families engage in beekeeping, recognising it as a viable source of income generation. Some years ago, beekeepers in the Kukes Region created an association, the Kukes Region Beekeepers Association, organised around 3 branches (one in each district) and assembling over 350 beekeepers. The territorial audit identified quality control, packaging, branding and marketing as priority areas for the provision of business advisory services in view of upgrading the enterprises in the value chain and generate incentives to formalization.
30

Responsible Partners
Kuk kes Region i al lC Council il (KR (KRC) C) Institute of Social Insurances (ISI) Regional Directorate of Agriculture (RDAFCP) Region i al lE Empl loyment t Board d (R (REB EB) ) The Beekeepers Association Sustainable Agriculture Support in Albania (SASA)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 1 and 5: Business advisory services and association building This measure targets specifically families with young family members of working age (16-29), particularly female contributing family workers. Ten households will be selected to become part of the scheme (see below for more details on the criteria and selection process) and receive business advisory services for upgrading their farm over a period of 12 months. Amongst others, two main requirements qualify programme participation, i.e.: Contributing family members must register as self-employed in agriculture for 1 year; The family should be in ownership of 50 to 100 beehives.

SASA will be responsible for the delivery of the services to the farmers. SASAs interventions will begin with a needs assessment conducted in collaboration with the Kukes Region Beekeepers Association. Within 6 weeks from the needs assessment, SASA will have elaborated with the farmer a 1-year long work plan for farm upgrading. Emphasis is also on dialogue among farmers and with other actors involved in the value chain (including retailers) in view of sharing knowledge and experiences and exploring market opportunities (through branding and better marketing). SASAs contribution will revolve around the provision of access to a brand (ALPE ALBANIA) and the negotiation of terms of cooperation amongst the beekeepers and with the major retailers in Albania (EUROMAX, MERKATOR, CONAD etc.). It is SASAs responsibility to monitor the implementation of the work plan for farm upgrading and submit quarterly reports to the RDAFCP and to the YEM programme. With the technical support offered by SASA, all beneficiaries will be invited to become members of a group of common interests of beekeepers from the respective area which will in turn become a member of the Kukes Beekeepers
31

Association. All beneficiaries will access, for free, to a barcode that SASA will book for the beekeepers of the area. Service Line 3: Access to credit opportunities In collaboration with KRC, the RDAFCP launches a grant competition targeting farming families i) engaged in bee-keeping, ii) residing in the respective areas, and iii) working with 50 to 100 beehives. This measure targets specifically families with young family members of working age (16-29), particularly female contributing family workers. The competition/CfP will indicate that a copy of a family certificate shall be submitted together with the application and a copy of the payment of the ISI contributions for the relevant quarter. A group comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, two RDAFCP staff and the YEM Programme will evaluate the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP). Thus, this action envisages a 16,000 USD grant component, which will be administered by KRC. Each selected beneficiary will receive a grant of 1,600 USD. Disbursements are bound to the 1-year work plan prepared by SASA on the basis of a needs assessment. Eligible expenditures under the grant include enterprise upgrading measures, such as an increase in the number of bee hives; quality improvements; investments in packaging, branding, and marketing.

Indicators

Inputs

Farmer Farm ers s en enga gage ged d in bee bee kee keepi ping ng rec recei eivi ving ng 21,000 000 U USD SD YEM YEM pro progr gram amme me financial support linked to advisory services (10 farming households) Farmers registering agriculture (>20) as self-employed in

Outputs
6.1 Farmers engaged in beekeeping are assisted in transitioning to formalization with a combination of credit and technical advisory servi ices 6.2 Local rural micro-enterprises are integrated in local voluntary associations that give them voice and representation 6.3 Beekeepers are better linked to the market

21,0 , 00 USD

32

Sustainability/Replicability
1. Through association building and cooperation for quality improvement, beekeepers from Tropoja District establish a stronger brand and increase their negotiating capacity with Albanias largest retailers, thereby obtaining wider access to national markets. The engagement with SASA and ALPE ALBANIA may increase the likelihood of products to be certified according to recognised international quality standards.

2. Individually or as a group, beekeepers can apply next year for grants (up to 10,000 USD) for further upgrading their operations in the framework of MADAs Mountains Towards the Markets project. SNV Albania also plans on providing support to beekeepers in 2011.

3. The impact of the action can be measured vis--vis the performance of other households working in agriculture. Two parallel assessment can be run, with regard to a) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have not received financial support; and b) similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have received financial support (through PARD or other grant providing mechanisms) but not specialised technical advisory services.

Risk Assumptions
Farmers may not immediately recognise the benefits of registering with ISI.

33

Action 6: Formalization and generation of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (chestnuts)
Bujan, Margegaj and Tropoja e Vjeter communes

Relevant service lines:

(Entrepreneurship advisory services) (Access to credit opportunities) (Association building)

Objective
To formalize workers in rural households through enterprise upgrading, access to market, and association building

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture A reduction in the number of young people in vulnerable employment (contributing family workers)

Background and Baseline


Tropoja District produces high quantities of quality chestnuts. Collection of chestnuts generates seasonal employment opportunities for a considerable number of households. Currently, a micro-enterprise operating in Bajram Curri Town has engaged in the collection of chestnuts in view of selling them in Albania and in Europe (chestnuts are presently the only certified bio-product exported to Europe from the Kukes Region).
34

The territorial audit highlighted some areas of intervention that could positively impact employment opportunities and income generation for the local farmers. These revolve around the provision of adequate treatment, improvements in selection, storage and handling, investments in packaging and branding. Starting from 2011, the PARD programme will provide support also to farmers engaged in chestnut cultivation (12 ALL/kg sold to registered retailers).

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regi g onal Council (KRC) C) Regional Employment Office (REO) Regi g onal Emp ploym y ent Board (R ( EB) ) Sustainable Agriculture Support in Albania (SASA)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 3 and 5: Access to credit opportunities and association building In collaboration with KRC, the RDAFCP will launch a grant competition for farmers cultivating chestnuts in Tropoja District to become part of the scheme. A group comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, two RDAFCP staff and the YEM Programme will evaluate the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP). The measure targets households collecting at least 3 tons of chestnuts a year. It is expected that around 40 households will be selected to become part of the scheme. Each selected beneficiary will receive a grant of 250 USD. Disbursement of the grant is bound to the registration of 1 member of the family at ISI and 1-year work plan prepared by SASA (Sustainable Agriculture Support Albania) on the basis of a needs assessment conducted in collaboration with the Farmers Federation. Eligible expenditures under the grant are enterprise upgrading measures.

Within 6 weeks from the needs assessment, SASA will have elaborated with the farmer a 1-year long workplan for farm upgrading. Emphasis is on dialogue among farmers and with other actors involved in the value chain (including retailers) in view of sharing knowledge and experiences and exploring market opportunities (through branding and better marketing). It is SASAs responsibility to monitor the implementation of the work plan for farm upgrading and submit quarterly reports to the RDAFCP and to the YEM programme.
35

SASA will provide technical advisory services on improvements related to product quality and market penetration. SASA will also provide access to the ALPE ALBANIA brand by assisting chestnuts cultivators in creating a group from Tropoja District, which will in turn become a member of the Farmers Federation of the Kukes Region. SASA will facilitate the negotiation of terms of cooperation amongst beekeepers and with some of Albanias larger retailers, such as MERKATOR, CONAD, EUROMAX, etc. With regard to the establishment of a loan DHE component to this service line, negotiations IT S are underway with financial institutions with a comparative advantage in the Kukes Region, as well as with organizations running credit schemes for microenterprises, in view of mobilizing preferential soft loans for the micro and small enterprises participating in the TEP. Receipt of a credit under this scheme is conditional to the presentation of the relevant papers with regard to registration at NRC and Tax Office, as well as ISI.
D
H
A

IJE

TR

Service line 1: Entrepreneurship advisory services SASA will also provide technical advisory services in view of supporting the (currently only) enterprise engaged in the collection, packing and commercialisation of chestnuts in Tropoja District. The objective is to improve the product life cycle, as well marketing and branding in view of expanding market access. As part of this measure, the enterprise will hire, on a defined term contract [4 months a year], 6 unemployed women from the NES register.

Indicators

Inputs
14,000 USD YEM programme

suppor supp ort t li link nked ed t to o ad advi viso sory ry ser servi vice ces s (4 (40 0 fa farm rmin ing g 1,00 000 0 US USD D SA SASA SA s in-ki i kind d cont trib ibuti tion househ hold lds) ) Unemployed women (6) hired on a defined term contract (4 months a year) Farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture (>40)

36

7.1 Farmers cultivating chestnuts are assisted in transitioning to formalization with a combination of credit dit and dt tech hni ical l ad dvi isory servi ices 7.2 Local rural micro-enterprises are integrated in local voluntary associations that give them voice and representation 7.3 Chestnuts growers are better linked to the market

15,000 000 USD USD (of which 1,000 USD are in-kind contributions of partners)

Sustainability/Replicability
By organizing themselves in a group, chestnut cultivators in Tropoja District have a stronger voice both on the local and on regional market. They also reduce costs related to business advisory services, product upgrading, branding, and marketing. They can also negotiate better terms vis--vis the single enterprise currently collecting and processing chestnuts in these areas.

Risk Assumptions
Farmers may not immediately recognise the benefits of registering with ISI.

Financial Institutions may not provide a loan to the micro-enterprise collecting chestnuts and thus opportunities to expand the business may be limited.

37

Action 7: Formalization and generation of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (potato growers and collectors)
Relevant micro-areas: Shishtavec Commune, Kukes Town

Relevant service lines:

(Access to credit opportunities) (Subsidized employment) (Association building)

Objective
To formalize workers in rural households through enterprise upgrading, access to market, and association building

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture An increase in the number of training opportunities and job vacancies for young unemployed people registered at NES

Background and Baseline


The Kukes Region (and particularly the Commune of Shishtavec) produces an indigenous potato of excellent quality. Only about 50% of the current production is consumed locally. The rest of the produce does not reach the market partially due to the limited road infrastructure and, more importantly, due to the absence of a collection centre and storage facilities. A few years ago, the Government of Albania (Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Agriculture) built a potato collection centre in Kukes Town. Unfortunately, it never started operating. The new highway linking the Kukes Region to the rest of Albania and its markets, and the public investments in upgrading the internal road infrastructure create

38

now the conditions for viable business in growing and collecting potatoes in view of selling them on the internal market (with a positive import substitution effect), and also for processing, either in Albania or in neighbouring Kosovo (value addition). The wholesale margins increase with the price increase, which usually takes place at the end of the storage period. In Kukes, the storage period can extend to the month of April.

Responsible Partners
Kuk kes Region i al lC Council il (KR (KRC) C) Shishtavec Commune Kukes Municipality Inst In stit itut ute e of f Soc Socia ial l In Insu sura ranc nces es (IS (ISI) I) Region i al l Empl E loyment t Board d (R (REB EB) ) Kukes Farmers Federation (KFF) Sustainable Agriculture Alba Al bani nia a (S (SAS ASA) A)17 of Support in

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Regional Directorate (RDAFCP) Protection (MoAFCP)

Agriculture

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 3 and 5: Access to credit opportunities and association building In collaboration with KRC, the RDAFCP will launch a grant competition for potato producers from Shishtavec Commune to become part of the scheme. A group comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, two RDAFCP staff and the YEM Programme will evaluate the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP). The measure targets households producing at least 3 tons of potatoes a year. This action envisages a grant component, which will be administered by KRC. Each selected beneficiary will receive a grant of 250 USD. Disbursement of the grant is bound to the registration of 1 member of the family at ISI and 1-year work plan prepared by SASA (Sustainable Agriculture Support for Albania) on the basis of a needs assessment. Eligible expenditures under the grant are enterprise upgrading measures.

SASA (Sustainable Agriculture Support in Albania) is a project supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC) and Switzerlands State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. The project focuses on the development of rural and remote areas through environmentally-friendly production practices and market-oriented efforts that foster quality production of Albanian agricultural products for the domestic and export market.

17

39

SASA will provide technical advisory services on improvements related to product quality and market penetration. SASA will also provide access to the ALPE ALBANIA brand by assisting potato producers in creating a group from Shishtavec Commune, which will in turn become a member of the Farmers Federation of the Kukes Region. Group members will also be put in contact with some of Albanias larger retailers, such as MERKATOR, CONAD, EUROMAX, etc.

Service line 4: Subsidized employment


D
A

E The activation of the Potato Collection Centre IT S in Kukes Town will take the form of a public private partnership (with a private enterprise in charge of managing and operating the facility). The contract with the private party will include a requirement of generating at least four jobs, for two of which the company could benefit from an employment subsidy (by virtue of recruiting women from the NES register). This service line will be administered jointly with the Kukes REO, which will issue the call for applications.
H

DH

IJE

TR

Indicators

Inputs

Potato Pota to p pro rodu duce cers rs rec recei eivi ving ng fina financ ncia ial l su supp ppor ort t li link nked ed to to ad advi viso sory ry 14,540 540 U USD SD Y YEM EM services (40 farming households) programme Farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture (40) A PPP is formed for operating the Potato Collection Centre (4 employees) and farmers in Kukes and Has (>600) have access to the facilities

Outp Ou tput uts s


5.1 1 Po Pota tato to p pro rodu duce cers rs are are ass assis iste ted d in tra trans nsit itio ioni ning ng t to o fo form rmal aliz izat atio ion n wi with th a combination of credit and technical advisory services 5.2 Local rural micro-enterprises are integrated in local voluntary associations that give them voice and representation 5.3 Potato producers are linked to the market 14,540 USD

40

Sustainability/Replicability
1. Once the collection centre is operational, a marketing campaign needs to promote the Kukes potato as a quality product, particularly to retailers and processors in Albania and Kosovo.

2. The association building scheme should be replicated in several potato producing micro-areas with specific focus on upgrading the technology and entering new markets (through branding, marketing, improving the quality of the product, etc.).

3. MADAs Mountains Towards the Markets project has identified Shishtavec Commune as a priority area to support potato growers.

4. The impact of the action can be measured vis--vis the performance of other households working in agriculture. A control group would comprise similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have not received financial support.

Risk Assumptions
The MoAFCP might not succeed in transferring the ownership of the potato collection centre to the Kukes Municipality.

Land ownership issues might slow down the process of transferring the ownership of the centre to the Municipality of Kukes.

Farmers may not immediately recognise the benefits of registering with ISI.

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Action 8: Generating employment through value chain upgrading (fish) for micro enterprises
Relevant micro-areas: Kukes Town Relevant service lines: (Access to credit opportunities)

Objective
To create the conditions for micro-entrepreneurs in aquaculture to operate

Target
An increase in the number of micro-enterprises registering at the NCR

Background and Baseline


The lakes of Kukes Region are host to a considerable fish population (mainly concentrated in Fierza Lake). The luciper is in high demand both locally (due to the increasing number of tourists visiting Valbona Valley) and in neighbouring Kosovo. The territorial audit has revealed that the Kukes Region does not yet have a proper fish market or fish shops fully aligned with sanitary and hygienic requirements. At the moment, fish is sold directly at the fishermens boats. Fish breeding and fish plants appear to be viable business ventures. A few years ago, the Kukes Municipality built a market place destined to host fruit and vegetable stands. However, a large share of the retailers has by now abandoned the shops due to unfair competition from informal vendors (who do not pay taxes and sell fruits and vegetables in the streets inside the market). Fish shops may not run the same risk, as buyers would prefer hygienic conditions and good conservation facilities over a cheaper price offered by street vendors.

42

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regi g onal Council (KRC) ) Kukes Municipality Regi g onal Emp ploym y ent Board (R ( EB) ) Kukes Chamber of Commerce (KCoC)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service lines 3: Access to credit opportunities In collaboration with the Kukes Municipality, the Kukes Regional Council will launch a grant competition for project proposals aiming at activating fish shops from within the premises of the Kukes market place. A group comprising of f the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, a member of the administration of the Kukes Municipality, one RDAFCP staff, one representative of the Kukes Chamber of Commerce, and the YEM Programme will evaluate the applications (the scoring system is annexed to the CfP). Each of the selected proposals will be awarded a grant of 2,000 USD. In addition to the grant, the existing facilities at the market place will be refurbished by the Kukes Municipality and offered free of charge (i.e. without payment of rent and local taxes) for the first 3 months. The Public Health inspectors shall certify the sanitary conditions of the shops before they open to the general public. The criteria for the selection of the proposals include registration of the business/enterprises at the National Centre for Registration and the employment of at least one person full time at each shop that is opened. It is also a key requirement that the fish sold at the shops shall be bought only y from licensed fishers. Should this not be the case, the Kukes Municipality reserves the right to interrupt the contractual agreement with the beneficiaries.

Indicators

Inputs

Business proposals for reviving the Kukes 4,000 USD YEM programme marketplace receiving grant support (2) 1,000 USD in-kind contribution of the People being employed in the fish shops (>2) Kukes Municipality

Outp Ou tput uts s


8.1 The first fish shops in Kukes Town are operational 5,000 USD (of which 1,000 USD are in-kind contributions of partners)

43

Sustainability/Replicability
1. As more fish shops open and hygienic conditions generaly improve, the requests from Kosovo for Luciper and other fish will increase.

2. The fish shops create incentives for more fishermen to be licensed and operate regularly.

3. New fish farms will emerge in the Kukes Region.

Risk Assumptions
A few enterprises may value the importance of registering at the NCR in order to run a fish shop.

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Action 9: Employment generation for young women in the handicrafts sector


Relevant micro-areas: Kukes and Kruma municipalities Relevant service lines: (Entrepreneurship advisory services) (Access to credit opportunities) (Subsidized employment)

Objective
To support micro-enterprises in the handicraft sector in view of generating employment opportunities for young unemployed women

Target
An increase in the number of micro-enterprises registering at the NCR An increase in the number of training opportunities and job vacancies for young unemployed people (particularly women) registered at NES

Background
Women in the Kukes Region have a long tradition and recognized skills in handicrafts, mainly in textile. Until very recently about 3,000 thousand women in Kukes town were producing artistic tapestry (mostly for export). Currently some few micro-business initiatives produce handicrafts, mainly destined to Albanians 8 living in the UK. The Kukes Region Tourism Strategy18 has identified handicrafts as a pillar for the development of tourism. The UNDPs Tourism project is investing in capacity building for handicraft producers and the construction of three outlets.
A tourism development strategy and action plan was developed in 2009-2010 by a group of national and international experts for the Kukes Region in the framework of the project Kukes Region Tourism and Environment Promotion (KRTEP). The strategy and action plan were approved by the Kukes Regional Council in late autumn 2010.
18

45

Negotiations are taking place to create the conditions for micro-enterprises to have access to soft loans19 (for instance through the SME grants project financed by the Italian Cooperation).

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regional Council (KRC) Regional Employment Office (REO) Albanian Artisans Association (AAA)20 Regional Employment Board (REB)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service line 1 - Entrepreneurship advisory services In consultation with the Regional Employment Board, the Kukes Regional Council launches a competition/Call for Proposals (CfP) inviting micro/ household-based operations engaged in the production of handicrafts to submit proposals for upgrading and expanding their activities (and transitioning to formalization). A team comprising of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration, the Director of the Regional Employment Office, an expert coming from AAA, and the YEM Programme will evaluate the proposals (an example of scoring system is included in the annex to the CfP). Priority is given to female applicants and/or proposals that entail more employment opportunities for young women. The two best proposals become part of the scheme and receive business advisory and other ad-hoc capacity building support through the services of AAA. Further to an initial training, AAA will provide ongoing non-financial BDS related to marketing, market research, product development, and other capacity development interventions as the needs emerge. In Kukes Town, the first training events will take place during the month of July at the YES centre. Service line 3 - Credit opportunities The service line related to credit opportunities has two components to it. Research shows that young people running start-up businesses often need to associate a loan with a grant component. This is due to multiple reasons, including the fact that repayment of the loan from day 1 is very difficult (unless special
19

46

In this case soft loans could be taken to mean: a) shorter procedures for evaluating the applications; b) smaller interest rates; and c) reimbursement of the loan starting on 13th month. 20 AAA, Albanian Artisans Association, was created in 2002 as a platform to pool the interests of artisan micro and small entrepreneurs. AAA provides assistance to artisans in market research, marketing, and business planning.

conditions are negotiated). Moreover, it is often the case that the grant is used to do the capital investment and the loan goes toward the initial running costs (at the same time the capital investment also functions as collateral). Thus, the first component consists of a 2,500 USD grant which is administered by KRC (in consultation with the REB) through the Treasury District Office. Two such grants will be financed directly through the YEM programme. With regard to the loan component, negotiations are taking place with financial institutions holding a comparative advantage in the Kukes Region, as well as with organizations running credit schemes for micro-enterprises, in view of mobilizing preferential soft loans for the micro and small enterprises participating in the TEP. Receipt of a credit under this scheme is conditional to the submission of the relevant papers with regard to registration at NRC, Tax Office, as well as at ISI. Service line 4 - Subsidized employment /enterprise-based skills training This service line is administered by NES. In June 2011, an open call for applications will be published by the REO for young women interested in working in registered handicraft micro-enterprises. Up to 6 applicants will be selected to receive employment grants. Priority will be given to young women at risk of labour market exclusion (including workers in the informal economy, contributing family workers, women on social assistance and returning migrants). The scheme foresees the combination of on-the-job training and partial social insurance contribution for a 5-months period (3 months of training and two months of subsidized work). A contract defining the terms of cooperation will be signed between the REO and each micro-enterprise receiving young unemployed for on- the-job skills training. Employment programmes should start by mid-July 2011.

Indicators
handicrafts and receiving financial support linked to non-financial BDS (2 operations) Young Youn g di disa sadv dvan anta tage ged d wo wome men n pa part rtic icip ipat atin ing g in wor workktraining programmes in handicraft production (6)

Inputs
13,6 ,620 U USD SD YEM YEM pro rogr g am gr amme me 1,000 USD - in-kind contribution of the Albanian Artisans Association

47

9.1 Young women at risk of labour market exclusion have access to on-the-job training in local microenterprises 9.2 2 Mi Micro/h /househ hold ld-b based d operati tions are assi ist ted d in transitioning to formalization with a combination of credit and non-financial BDS 9.3 Local micro-enterprises are linked to outlets for selling their products

14,620 USD (of f whi hich h 1,00 000 0 US USD D are in-ki kind d contributions of partners)

Sustainability/Replicability
1. It is hoped that this action will enhance the capacity of local actors to provide to support to micro-enterprises (current measures target mostly SMEs). 2. Sustain business planning interventions for micro-enterprises through, for instance, incubator resources. 3. The difference between this intervention and other interventions that provide credit support to micro-enterprises is that a technical assistance element has been developed to accompany and advise enterprises throughout the period. The impact of the action can be measured vis-vis the performance of other similar enterprises (size, sector, etc.) that have received financial support without ongoing non-financial BDS.

Risk Assumptions
Micro-entrepreneurs selected through the initial competition might not want to comply with the registration requirements in order to benefit from this scheme. Competitions may have to be repeated.

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Action 10: Creating opportunities for (better) employment for young people in the tourism sector
Relevant micro-areas: Kukes Region Relevant service lines: (Training incentives/skills training grants)

Objective
To create the conditions for employment of young people in the tourism industry through skills development and training

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers An increase in the number of training opportunities for young unemployed people

Background and Baseline


Tourism is a strategic area for local (economic) development of the Kukes Region, mainly in Valbona Valley which is considered to be a destination for adventure tourism. The UNDPs Tourism project (UNDP-EC-KRC) is investing in tourism infrastructure development, including camp sites, artisan outlets, tourism information points, a tourism and cultural centre in Valbona Village (partially), museums in Bajram Curri and Kukes Town, mountain trails, and so on. All these facilities require staff able to communicate with the tourists in a professional way and, most importantly, in foreign languages. When designing the Terms of Reference for operating the facilities, the Tourism Project will require that young people under 29 are recruited to staff the premises. These young people will also be given access to language courses: Basic English for tourism and hospitality. Moreover, the territorial audit also identified the need to offer gastronomy courses as a way of increasing the employment opportunities of young people as part of an overall strategy that promotes the Kukes Region as a tourism destination.

49

Responsible Partners
Kuke Ku kes s Re Regi gion onal al C Cou ounc ncil il (KR (KRC) C) Regional Employment Office (REO) and YES Centre Margegaj j Commune C Lincoln Centre Valb Va lbon ona a Ac Acco comm mmod odat atio ion n As Asso soci ciat atio ion n (V (VAA AA) ) ERA Catering Regional Employment Board (REB) UNDP UN DP s T Tourism i Proj P ject

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Service line 2 - Training incentives/skills training grants In July 2011, the Regional Employment Office will launch a CfP offering training incentives to three groups: i) Young people aged 15-17 years old from Valbona Valley, who dropped out of school or are early school leavers (maximum 15 individuals). They will attend a series of courses (for a total of 100 hours) of Basic English for Tourism and Hospitality. Entitled Be my Guest t, the course is delivered in conjunction with the Lincoln Centre (LC), in partnership with Valbona Accommodation Association (VAA).

ii) Young people aged 16-29 years old, currently working within tourism facilities in the region (maximum 15 individuals). They will attend a series of courses (for a total of 100 hours) of Basic English for Tourism and Hospitality. Entitled Be my Guest t, the course is delivered in conjunction with the Lincoln Centre (LC), in partnership with the REO. iii) Young unemployed or informal workers aged 16-29 (maximum 5 individuals). They will attend a summer course on traditional Albanian gastronomy. The course will be organised in collaboration with ERA Catering, which will also be responsible for the on-the-job training component (160 hours over 22 days).

The training grants will cover training fees and training materials, as well as insurance against accidents at the workplace for the period of on-the-job training. Facilities will be provided either by REO, local governments, VAA, or ERA Catering. The YEM programme will cover accommodation and travel costs for the young people participating in the gastronomy course in Tirana. Travel costs
50

will be covered for trainees from Kruma Municipality attending the courses in Kukes Town. The applications will be processed by the REO, UNDPs Tourism project, the Kukes Region Administration, and the YEM Programme.

Indicators

Inputs

Sch hool ld drop-out ts or early l sch hool l-leavers l are i id dentifi tified d and d 4,82 820 0 US USD D YE YEM M programme participate in language training (up to 15) 2,000 USD - in-kind Young unemployed and/or youth in vulnerable employment contribution of ERA Catering participate in trainings (up to 20) for the summer course

Outp Ou tput uts s

6,82 820 0 US USD D

10.1 Training is jointly delivered by public centres, private (of which 2,000 USD are inkind contributions of partners) institutions, and enterprises

Sustainability/Replicability
1. The REO and its branches should cooperate further with accommodation units (such as hotels and resorts) and the local authorities to organize language and other specialised ad-hoc courses for people working in the tourism industry in the Kukes Region.

2. The REB, the REO and the Mobile VET Centre could involve a few well-established restaurants in view of organising short-term gastronomy courses (Albanian traditional cuisine), preferably in the Kukes Region, as part of the public vocational training programme.

Risk Assumptions
Trainees may not attend regularly the English language classes.

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Action 11: Regulatory framework for formalizing employment through support to micro-enterprises
Relevant micro-areas: Kukes Region Relevant service line: (Regulatory environment)

Objective
To implement regulations that leverage incentives for registration of (micro) farmers as self-employed in agriculture at the national social insurances system (ISI)

Target
A reduction in the number of informal workers (self-employed) in agriculture (over 50 in the Kukes Region and over 300 farmers at the national level)

Background and Baseline


PRO MALI is a programme jointly funded by the Danish Neighbourhood Programme and SNV, the Netherland Development Organization in Albania. It provides support to farmers in the mountainous area to have access to markets, modern technology, capital, and skills. The programme costs 5 million Euro and runs throughout 2009-2013 with a focus on small ruminants, fruit trees, herbs, and spices. A major component of the programme consists of grants to microentrepreneurs operating in these sectors to upgrade their business. Under Action 11 of the TEP, SNV Albania will include the criteria that each beneficiary of PRO MALI matched grant scheme shall be registered with ISI for the relevant fiscal year at the moment when financial assistance is provided through the scheme. Proof of payment of contributions (or proof of inclusion in the social assistance scheme) shall be annexed to the application and in all envisaged verifications established by SNV PRO MALI. This requirement is
52
For those that qualify as self-employed in agriculture, such a registration is mandatory, as understood by DCM no. 1114, 30/07/2008, thus the provision of public funds to those who are not registered reinforces an illegal behavior.
21

in compliance with the Albanian legislation21. This requirement has already been introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture for the PARD programme, as well as by MADA.

Responsible Partner
SNV Alb lbania

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


All new calls for applications for grant schemes launched by SNV Albania for their PRO MALI Programme will include the requirement that beneficiaries shall be registered at ISI.

Sustainability/Replicability
The PRO MALI project will run until the end of 2013. SNV will mainstream the criteria concerning registration with ISI into other SNV grant programmes.

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Action 12: Generating ideas for sustainable enterprises


Relevant micro-areas: Kukes Region Relevant service line: (Training incentives/skills training grants)

Objective
To promote entrepreneurship among young graduates in the Kukes Region

Target
An increase in the number of training opportunities for young unemployed people

Background and Baseline


In 2008, the University of Tirana opened its Kukes Branch. In the Summer of 2011, the first class will graduate from the Faculty of Economics. These students have a good knowledge of the Kukes Region as well as advanced skills and, generally, a positive attitude towards innovation.

Responsible Partners
Kukes Regional Council (KRC) Uni U niver iversi sit ity ty of of Ti Tira rana na, Facu Facult lty lt y of f Eco Econo nomy my Kuk ukes kes Branch Regional Employment Board (REB)

Sequence of Action and Timeframe


Before the end of July 2011, a competition will be launched by KRC and the Tirana University inviting young graduates to suggest feasible business ideas for sustainable enterprises in the Kukes Region. Proposals should focus on creation of new enterprises and/or support to the formalization of existing enterprises. Students should identify real cases and propose business plans as well

54

as other accompanying measures that would enable the creation/formalization of the enterprises. Proposals shall be submitted to the office of the Head of the Development Department of the Kukes Region administration by the end of August 2011. A group of experts comprising of the Head of the Kukes Regional Council, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, two representatives of the private sector (selected on the basis of the areas suggested in the proposals), and the YEM programme will select the best proposals. These will also be presented in a public ceremony in September. The selected proposals will become part of the scope of the Territorial Audit for the preparation of the 2012 Kukes Region Territorial Employment Pact for Youth and the students will receive a fellowship to become part of the team conducting the audit.
Indicators Inputs

Young g gr g aduates d from Kukes k Reg R gion pa p rti ici ipati ing g in th he 1, ,500 00 US USD SD YE YEM M competition ideas for sustainable enterprises Programme

Outp Ou tput uts s


12.1 Ideas for sustainable enterprises are included in the 2012 KR TEP 1,500 USD

55

1.

2. 2

3.

4.

5.

6.

56
Beneficiaries Main Indicators Allocated Service e Line(s) Start Respo on nsible Uni its E d En Costs Timeframe 322 farmers in the Kukes Regio on 6-8,000 0 farmers s at national level l 6 MoLSAEO; MoAFCP; MoF; MADA N/A 2010 2011 200 in vulnerable employment 100 young unemployed MoL LSA AEO; NES; REO O; YES; MVETCNEA; E REB; CoATU; ;U UoITUA; Malzi an a d Golaj commun nes; IMI 105,000 USD 10/201 2 0 12/2011 20 farmer m s 10 far f ming hous o eholds 20 you y ng contributing n family workers o 1 3 5 KRC; ISI; RDAFCP; ADAD; REB; KFF 29,500 USD 01/2011 05/2012 12 farming households >12 young contributing family members >40 farmers 1 3 5 KRC C; Bicaj B Commu mune; ISI; RDAFC CP P; REB; KFF; LEAA 31,200 USD 04/201 2 1 04/2012 10 far f ming hous o eholds 30 farmer m s 1 3 5 KRC; ISI; RDAFCP; REB; The Beekeepers Association; SASA 21,000 USD 04/2011 04/2012 1 small enterprise 6 unemployed u women >40 0 farming households 1 3 5 KRC; REO; REB; SASA 15,000 USD S 04/20 011 04/2012 1

ANNEX 1: Summary Table KUKES REGION TERRITORIAL EMPLOYMENT PACT FOR YOUTH ACTION PLAN

Regula g to or ry interv ventions towards the forma malization of employment

10 % increase in the number of people registered as self-employed in agriculture in 2011

Incentives for transition to formalization of workers in the mining indust u ry

people in vulnerable employment p and youth transitioning to formalization complete on-the-job training

Employ p me ment generation e and formalization throug ugh local networks of producers (appl p e trees)

farming households engaged in apple production and receiving financial support linked to advisory services / Farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture / Young CFW trained for managing their farms

Formalization of employment thro ough upgrading of rural enterprises (goat o breeding)

households engaged in goat breeding receiving support and advisory services/ Young CFW receiving basic training on agric ture enterprise management/ cul Farmers registering with ISI

Formal m izatio at n of employment e through up pgradin ing of rural r enterprises (beekeeping) e

farming households receiving financial support linked to advisory services/farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture

Formalization and generation of employment through upgrading of rural enterprises (chestnuts)

Farmers cultivating chestnuts and a receiving financial support linked k to advisory services/ unemployed y women hired on a defined term contract/ farmers register as se elfemployed in agriculture

7. 3 4 5 14,540 USD 06/2011 06/2012

Forma F alization and a generation of em mploymen ym t thr rough upgrading of rural a enterp te rises (po ( tato growers and colle ectors)

farming households receiving financial support linked to advisory services/ farmers registering as self-employed in agriculture/ a PPP is formed to operate the Potato Collecting Centre 1 PPP P 4 young y unemployed m 40 farmers/f r arming m households s KRC; Shishtavec Commune; Kukes Municipality; ISI; MoAFCP; REB; KFF; SASA; RDAFCP 2 unemployed people 2 start up businesses 3 5,000 US SD

8.

Generating employment through value chain upgrading (fish) for micro enterprises 04/20 011

Business proposals for reviving the Kukes marketplace receiving n grant support/ People being emm ployed in the fish shops KRC; Kukes Municipality; REB; KCoC

04/2012 1

9. 1 3 4

Em mploymen ym t generation for young w en wom en in the ha h ndicrafts sector

Micro/household-based operations producing handicrafts and receiving financial support linked to non-financial BDS/ Young disadvantaged women participating in work-training programmes 2 mic cro/househ hold-based operatio ons 6 youn o g disadva d ntaged women e KRC; REO; AAA; REB 14,620 USD

05/2011

12/2012

10. 2

Creating opportunities for (better) employment for young people in the tourism sector

School drop-outs or early school o leavers are identified and participate in language training/ Young n unemployed or youth in vulner eable employment participate in trainings 15 sc chool drop-outs or early school leavers 20 yo oung unemployed or in vulnerable employment

KRC; REO; YES Centre; Margegaj Commune; LC; ERA Catering; REB; KRTEP

6,820 US SD

01/20 011

12/2011 1

1 11. 6

Regula g to or ry framework for formalizing e lo emp oy yment thro h ugh support to micro-ent e erprises

Farmers receiving financial support linked with advisory services and registering as self-employed in agriculture

50 0 farmers in the Kukes Region Up p to 300 farmers at the national level

SNV Albania

N/A

01/2011

10/2011

12.

Generating ideas for sustainable enterprises Up to t 15 young graduates

Individuals/groups participating n in the competition ideas for su ustainable enterprises

KRC; REB; UT/ Faculty of Economy Kukes Branch

1,500 US SD

04/20 011

10/2011 1

Total beneficiaries:

Total:

/ 

d
244,180 USD

D  38 440 0

942

of which 89,000 USD are in-kind contributions of partners

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ANNEX 2: List of Participants to the KR-TEP


Albanian Agribusiness Council Albanian Artisans Association Association for the Development of Agriculture ADAD Beekeepers Association Bicaj Commune Confederation of Albanian Trade Unions ERA Catering Golaj Commune Illyria Minerals Industry sh.a Institute of Social Insurances Kruma Municipality Kukes Chamber of Commerce Kukes Farmers Federation Kukes Municipality Kukes Region Prefekts Office Kukes Region Tourism and Environment Protection Project Kukes Regional Council Lincoln Center Livestock Entrepreneurs Association Albania Malzi Commune Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection Ministry of Finance Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Mobile Vocational Education Training Centre for North-Eastern Areas Mountain Areas Development Programme National Employment Service Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection Regional Employment Board
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Regional Employment Office Shishtavec Commune SNV Albania Sustainable Agriculture Support for Albania Tirana University, Faculty of Economy Kukes Branch Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania

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SIGNATORIES

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61

62

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