2. BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND
The RDA serves the business community in the Districts ofThe RDA serves the business community in the Districts of
Vlore, Himara, Delvina and Saranda.Vlore, Himara, Delvina and Saranda.
It supports the economic development, particularly the SMEIt supports the economic development, particularly the SME
development in the south-west region of Albania.development in the south-west region of Albania.
Receives ongoing training and technical assistanceReceives ongoing training and technical assistance
(with EU Phare SME through GTZ, EU & USAID projects)(with EU Phare SME through GTZ, EU & USAID projects)
3. MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT
To contribute as co-leader, working alongside the localTo contribute as co-leader, working alongside the local
business community, international donors, and localbusiness community, international donors, and local
authorities and NGOs, to improve the businessauthorities and NGOs, to improve the business
climate and encourage economic development in theclimate and encourage economic development in the
region through the implementation of joint-effortregion through the implementation of joint-effort
coordination programs, and to act as a cross-sectorcoordination programs, and to act as a cross-sector
resources center.resources center.
4. RDA’SRDA’S OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
TToo develop its capacity as a leading center in its regiondevelop its capacity as a leading center in its region
through providing training's, counseling services andthrough providing training's, counseling services and
information to business community, NGO-s, government etcinformation to business community, NGO-s, government etc
TToo advise and support companies and NGO-s in theiradvise and support companies and NGO-s in their
approach with a view to participating in community program’sapproach with a view to participating in community program’s
or activities or to resolve difficulties in implementingor activities or to resolve difficulties in implementing
communitycommunity
TToo create a network of partners enabling the exchange ofcreate a network of partners enabling the exchange of
information on national and regional legal and regulatoryinformation on national and regional legal and regulatory
provisions, and their implementation procedure, which are ofprovisions, and their implementation procedure, which are of
direct, interest to social economic development of Vloradirect, interest to social economic development of Vlora
DistrictDistrict..
5. LEGAL STATUSLEGAL STATUS
Vlore RDA was founded on September 30,Vlore RDA was founded on September 30,
1998 as a non-governmental, non-profit, non-1998 as a non-governmental, non-profit, non-
political organization. It was registered as apolitical organization. It was registered as a
foundation at the court of Vlora in accordancefoundation at the court of Vlora in accordance
with Albanian Law.with Albanian Law.
6. CONSULTING, TRAINING &CONSULTING, TRAINING &
INFORMATIONINFORMATION PROCESSESPROCESSES
RDA consultants offer assistance in different fields of businessRDA consultants offer assistance in different fields of business
and agriculture such as:and agriculture such as:
Technical standards (EUREPGAP, HACCP etc.);Technical standards (EUREPGAP, HACCP etc.);
Tax problems; Marketing; Finance;Tax problems; Marketing; Finance;
Business plans and feasibility studies;Business plans and feasibility studies;
Economic Policy issues;Economic Policy issues;
Business registration;Business registration;
Tourism sector;Tourism sector;
Public administration and local government;Public administration and local government;
Social and economic surveys;Social and economic surveys;
Anti-Corruption strategies;Anti-Corruption strategies;
7. CITIES WHERIN THE R.D.ACITIES WHERIN THE R.D.A
HAS BEEN PRESENT WITHHAS BEEN PRESENT WITH
ITS ACTIVITIESITS ACTIVITIES
VloreVlore
HimaraHimara
DelvinaDelvina
SarandaSaranda
FierFier
LushnjeLushnje
MallakasterMallakaster
GjirokasterGjirokaster
9. WORLD BANK (2008)WORLD BANK (2008)
Project titleProject title” the social-economic services for vulnerable groups and” the social-economic services for vulnerable groups and
Establishment of necessary infrastructure premises and human capacitiesEstablishment of necessary infrastructure premises and human capacities
development training”development training”
The objectiveThe objective was to create opportunities for employment, education andwas to create opportunities for employment, education and
qualifications of women in need and young people. Moreover, creating aqualifications of women in need and young people. Moreover, creating a
positive image for the women in need, and establishing a Data Base forpositive image for the women in need, and establishing a Data Base for
unemployed women and young people in needunemployed women and young people in need
AchievedAchieved through trainings, consultancy, technical assistance, cases study,through trainings, consultancy, technical assistance, cases study,
round tables, surveys, workshops, conferences, informing, education,round tables, surveys, workshops, conferences, informing, education,
group discussion, sportive activities, traveling exchange culture, visits ingroup discussion, sportive activities, traveling exchange culture, visits in
businesses, practice in real businesses, employment possibilities internshipbusinesses, practice in real businesses, employment possibilities internship
TrainedTrained and Indicator;and Indicator;300 young people and women in need.300 young people and women in need.
10. INDICATORINDICATOR
1.Creating a positive image for women in need, and helping them to contribute1.Creating a positive image for women in need, and helping them to contribute
to society through; Debates with education , to hepled them to express maketo society through; Debates with education , to hepled them to express make
decision and contribute to raise the voice at Vlora’s municipalitydecision and contribute to raise the voice at Vlora’s municipality
2. Improving skills in order to encourage self employment as a route for2. Improving skills in order to encourage self employment as a route for
integration into society through 10 young people and women intership inintegration into society through 10 young people and women intership in
businessesbusinesses
3.organising trainings and providing services; Capacity Building3.organising trainings and providing services; Capacity Building
- Cooperation wit the Lokal Government for Capacity Building,- Cooperation wit the Lokal Government for Capacity Building,
4.Assisting the target group in loan applications to the microcredit institutions;4.Assisting the target group in loan applications to the microcredit institutions;
5.Created a local database for unemployed women and young people in need;5.Created a local database for unemployed women and young people in need;
6. Building mutual relationships between civil society and local government6. Building mutual relationships between civil society and local government;;
- Cooperation about strategy composition for regional development- Cooperation about strategy composition for regional development
- Round Tables for SKZHSE(National Strategy for Socio-Economic- Round Tables for SKZHSE(National Strategy for Socio-Economic
Development and MunicipalityDevelopment and Municipality
12. TERRE DES HOMME’STERRE DES HOMME’S
INCOME GENERATING (2007-09)INCOME GENERATING (2007-09)
The objectiveThe objective was the technical assistance for Roma Community inwas the technical assistance for Roma Community in
Vlora i.e.Vlora i.e. “Income generating”.“Income generating”.
ActivitiesActivities and Impactand Impact involvedinvolved training about start-up business andtraining about start-up business and
the fulfillment of the application form for loan for 40 beneficiaries,the fulfillment of the application form for loan for 40 beneficiaries,
refer of them to Opportunity Albania, the preparation of simplerefer of them to Opportunity Albania, the preparation of simple
Business plan and after care of businesses for 22 clients.Business plan and after care of businesses for 22 clients.
--Training about start-up business for 40 beneficiariesTraining about start-up business for 40 beneficiaries
-Fulfill Aplication form for loan for 40 beneficiaries-Fulfill Aplication form for loan for 40 beneficiaries
-Refer of them to Opportunity Albania 40 beneficiaries-Refer of them to Opportunity Albania 40 beneficiaries
-Preperation simple Business plan 22 c-Preperation simple Business plan 22 c
-After care of businesses 22 clients-After care of businesses 22 clients
13. SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT ANDSMALL BUSINESS CREDIT AND
ASSISTANCE(SBCA) – USAIDASSISTANCE(SBCA) – USAID
(2002-07)(2002-07)
The objectiveThe objective was the technical assistance for SME’s sector thoughtwas the technical assistance for SME’s sector thought
training and consulting particular farmers and producers in the southwesttraining and consulting particular farmers and producers in the southwest
district includingdistrict including
ActivitiesActivities involved the development of a comprehensive database of moreinvolved the development of a comprehensive database of more
than 800 business clients and introduced practices andthan 800 business clients and introduced practices and
achievements including: management and entrepreneurship; qualityachievements including: management and entrepreneurship; quality
improvement and management; packaging and labeling; cost analysis;improvement and management; packaging and labeling; cost analysis;
enterprise developmententerprise development;; business plan preparation and so on.business plan preparation and so on.
Performance IndicatorPerformance Indicator: A number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture: A number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture
and agribusiness sectors (70% of enterprises) attributed to RDA, numerousand agribusiness sectors (70% of enterprises) attributed to RDA, numerous
enterprises assisted in non-agriculture production sectors (30% ofenterprises assisted in non-agriculture production sectors (30% of
enterprises) attributed to RDA, and a great number of production sectorenterprises) attributed to RDA, and a great number of production sector
borrowers achieved positive cash flow RDA/SBCA and so forth.borrowers achieved positive cash flow RDA/SBCA and so forth.
14. Performance Indicator:Performance Indicator:
Number of enterprises assisted in the agriculture and agribusiness sectorsNumber of enterprises assisted in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors
(70% of enterprises) attributed RDA. Number of enterprises assisted in(70% of enterprises) attributed RDA. Number of enterprises assisted in
non-agriculture production sectors (30% of enterprises)non-agriculture production sectors (30% of enterprises)
Number of production sector borrowers achieving positive cash flowNumber of production sector borrowers achieving positive cash flow
Number of loans extended to agriculture, livestock, and non-agricultureNumber of loans extended to agriculture, livestock, and non-agriculture
SMEsSMEs
Number of full-time employment positions loans and trainingNumber of full-time employment positions loans and training
Increase in client sales 20%Increase in client sales 20%
Number of businesses trained in credit and loan application proceduresNumber of businesses trained in credit and loan application procedures
Find market to export for watermelon farmers particulare producer (oliveFind market to export for watermelon farmers particulare producer (olive
oil , meat processeroil , meat processer
Encouraged consumers to purchased local goods by packaging andEncouraged consumers to purchased local goods by packaging and
labeling particular fruit and vegetablelabeling particular fruit and vegetable
We have done transparency and engage in a dialogue with businessWe have done transparency and engage in a dialogue with business
community and local government ( tax office, agriculture department ,community and local government ( tax office, agriculture department ,
communes ) about demands for invest more to product developmentcommunes ) about demands for invest more to product development
15. PARTNERSHIP HONEY DAY FAIRPARTNERSHIP HONEY DAY FAIR
IN VLORA WITH SBCA/USAIDIN VLORA WITH SBCA/USAID
18. SORROS (2004)SORROS (2004)
Project titleProject title: Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government: Increasing Women’s Representation in Local Government
StructureStructure
The objectiveThe objective was involving the active women in community decisionwas involving the active women in community decision
making (Vlora RDA is contributing hard toward improving the social andmaking (Vlora RDA is contributing hard toward improving the social and
political equality between women and man).political equality between women and man).
These effortsThese efforts include the strengthening of women leadership, the womeninclude the strengthening of women leadership, the women
mobilization to vote and run for elections, as well as holding publicmobilization to vote and run for elections, as well as holding public
officials accountable.officials accountable.
ActivitiesActivities involved the development of working group, the organization ofinvolved the development of working group, the organization of
public meetings with women forums of parties, developing and running thepublic meetings with women forums of parties, developing and running the
advocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local decision makingadvocacy and lobbying campaign to influence local decision making
structures to increase the women participants in local election 30%structures to increase the women participants in local election 30%
19. Increasing Women’s Representation in Local GovernmentIncreasing Women’s Representation in Local Government
structures program was target women with leadershipstructures program was target women with leadership
potential and helped them to become active leaders andpotential and helped them to become active leaders and
changechange
The program applied the following principlesThe program applied the following principles
Select 15 participants who are strongly motivated to change society andSelect 15 participants who are strongly motivated to change society and
committed to transfer skills to other womencommitted to transfer skills to other women
Require participants to develop a strategy applied the training and setRequire participants to develop a strategy applied the training and set
realistic goals and actions to make it happenedrealistic goals and actions to make it happened
Link the participants with local stakeholders (local government, politicalLink the participants with local stakeholders (local government, political
parties and media) helped them and t supported for their initiative toparties and media) helped them and t supported for their initiative to
actively participate in local decision makingactively participate in local decision making
Provided participants with opportunities to network with others and becomeProvided participants with opportunities to network with others and become
involved actively in local developmentinvolved actively in local development
20. Activities:Activities:
Development of working groupDevelopment of working group
Organization of public meetings with women forums of partiesOrganization of public meetings with women forums of parties
Developing and Running the advocacy and lobbying campaign toDeveloping and Running the advocacy and lobbying campaign to
influence local decision making structures to increase the womeninfluence local decision making structures to increase the women
participants in local election 30%participants in local election 30%
-identification of focal points at local decision making structures-identification of focal points at local decision making structures
-developing a strategic communication-developing a strategic communication
-organization and implementation of the activities-organization and implementation of the activities
Do a series of activities to increase the awareness of public on theDo a series of activities to increase the awareness of public on the
participation of women in local decision making processparticipation of women in local decision making process
-development of the strategy to communicate with local media-development of the strategy to communicate with local media
-development of broadcasting on the initiative-development of broadcasting on the initiative
- Participatory and Women; refer or strategies skills used to influence- Participatory and Women; refer or strategies skills used to influence
decision –making processes in the public and social arenas to eliminatedecision –making processes in the public and social arenas to eliminate
inequalities between women andinequalities between women and menmen
21. CIVIL SOCIETY REDUCTION OFCIVIL SOCIETY REDUCTION OF
CORRUPTION IN ALBANIA-CORRUPTION IN ALBANIA-
MSI/USAID (2002)MSI/USAID (2002)
The main objectiveThe main objective was to establish a private-public sectorwas to establish a private-public sector
partnership to fight corruption in Vlora by increasing thepartnership to fight corruption in Vlora by increasing the
transparency and accountability of the local government,transparency and accountability of the local government,
helping citizens in addressing their concerns, providinghelping citizens in addressing their concerns, providing
information to the citizen in understanding the governmentinformation to the citizen in understanding the government
and its programs, facilitating the communication betweenand its programs, facilitating the communication between
parties.parties.
ActivitiesActivities involved the establishment the Vlore Businessinvolved the establishment the Vlore Business
Coalition against Corruption, provided applications forms onCoalition against Corruption, provided applications forms on
different services, established a complain procedure anddifferent services, established a complain procedure and
analyzed the data, provided the local taxes calculations and taxanalyzed the data, provided the local taxes calculations and tax
licensing, and complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.licensing, and complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.
22. Activities and Indicator;Activities and Indicator;
Establishing the Vlore Business Coalition againstEstablishing the Vlore Business Coalition against
Corruption to cooperate with the municipality and theCorruption to cooperate with the municipality and the
business communitybusiness community
Providing the applications from on different servicesProviding the applications from on different services
(request, necessary documents, etc.)(request, necessary documents, etc.)
Establishing a complain procedure and analyzing theEstablishing a complain procedure and analyzing the
data;data;
Local taxes calculations;Local taxes calculations;
Providing the tax licensing;Providing the tax licensing;
Complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.Complain mechanism/analysis of citizens’ input.
23. Reduce Corruption in Tax PolicyReduce Corruption in Tax Policy
and Administration:and Administration: Limit tax officials' personal interaction with taxpayersLimit tax officials' personal interaction with taxpayers
Upgrade technical expertise and improve procedures byUpgrade technical expertise and improve procedures by
providing training and manuals to tax collectors,providing training and manuals to tax collectors,
Improve transparency and facilitate public scrutiny ofImprove transparency and facilitate public scrutiny of
procurement proceduresprocurement procedures
Create a better and more efficient legal tax environmentCreate a better and more efficient legal tax environment
Expected Results:Expected Results:
Increase the tax collected by the Large TaxpayersIncrease the tax collected by the Large Taxpayers
Reduce from 32 to 13 the percentage of firms stating thatReduce from 32 to 13 the percentage of firms stating that
bribery in tax collection is frequentbribery in tax collection is frequent
24. SURVEY OF SME NEEDS FORSURVEY OF SME NEEDS FOR
BUSINESS DEVELOPEMENTBUSINESS DEVELOPEMENT
SERVICES IN VLORA (2003)SERVICES IN VLORA (2003)
Vlore RDA acted as local business consultant managing the survey aimedVlore RDA acted as local business consultant managing the survey aimed
at evaluating the demand for business development services (BDS).at evaluating the demand for business development services (BDS).
The survey was focused on two categories of business services:The survey was focused on two categories of business services:
Consultancy and Training.Consultancy and Training.
ActivitiesActivities included identifying SME demand for BDS and SME’included identifying SME demand for BDS and SME’
awareness of BDS providers; the level of usage of BDS; and, SME’awareness of BDS providers; the level of usage of BDS; and, SME’
willingness to pay for BDS Services (BDS).willingness to pay for BDS Services (BDS).
25. TRAINIG ON BUILDING NGO & LOCALTRAINIG ON BUILDING NGO & LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COOPERATION – USAIDGOVERNMENT COOPERATION – USAID
(2000)(2000)
The objectiveThe objective was the establishment of specific and adequatewas the establishment of specific and adequate
structures within the city hall which in turn will increase thestructures within the city hall which in turn will increase the
transparency, responsibility and accountability of city officials as welltransparency, responsibility and accountability of city officials as well
as will increase the governance in general. On the other hand it willas will increase the governance in general. On the other hand it will
help on having a better-informed public, which will be supportive tohelp on having a better-informed public, which will be supportive to
local governmentlocal government
The main purposeThe main purpose was to assist the municipal officials and NGOwas to assist the municipal officials and NGO
representatives to understand the role of the Vlore Municipality inrepresentatives to understand the role of the Vlore Municipality in
local economic development by focusing on understanding thelocal economic development by focusing on understanding the
conditions of the city; developing partnerships among communityconditions of the city; developing partnerships among community
stakeholders; and, involving citizens in economic development issues.stakeholders; and, involving citizens in economic development issues.
26. GoalsGoals
1.The strong point of this project is:1.The strong point of this project is:
The process of designing such a plan was an inclusive one, creating aThe process of designing such a plan was an inclusive one, creating a
structure of public private partnership called Citizen Economicstructure of public private partnership called Citizen Economic
Commission. In this regard such a partnership will help further in not onlyCommission. In this regard such a partnership will help further in not only
improving the functioning of the informationimproving the functioning of the information
Acitivities;Acitivities;The main purpose of the Project was to helped municipalThe main purpose of the Project was to helped municipal
officials and NGO representatives to understand the role of the Vloreofficials and NGO representatives to understand the role of the Vlore
Municipality in local economic development by:Municipality in local economic development by:
-focusing on understanding the conditions of the city;-focusing on understanding the conditions of the city;
-developing partnerships among stakeholders in the community; and,-developing partnerships among stakeholders in the community; and,
-Involving citizens in economic development issues-Involving citizens in economic development issues
27. GTZ’S CREDIT, MICROFINANCEGTZ’S CREDIT, MICROFINANCE
AND SME DEVELOPMENT (1998-99)AND SME DEVELOPMENT (1998-99)
Vlore RDA conducted preliminary research and focused onVlore RDA conducted preliminary research and focused on
the provision of its business consultancy services.the provision of its business consultancy services.
Activities includedActivities included::
improving access to credit for SMEs;improving access to credit for SMEs;
preparing business plan for clients;preparing business plan for clients;
assessing the institutional capacity of organizationsassessing the institutional capacity of organizations
involved in SMEs;involved in SMEs;
reviewing the constraints of existing finance schemes;reviewing the constraints of existing finance schemes;
strengthening access to credit; and,strengthening access to credit; and,
Designing and delivering an SME Policy trainingDesigning and delivering an SME Policy training
course.course.
29. EC PHARES’S SMEEC PHARES’S SME
DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIADEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA
(1992-95)(1992-95)
Financial assistance for SMEs was through a credit facility at the SavingsFinancial assistance for SMEs was through a credit facility at the Savings
Bank of Albania. This involved bringing together those government andBank of Albania. This involved bringing together those government and
non-governmental organizations which were important for regionalnon-governmental organizations which were important for regional
economic developmenteconomic development
Activities includedActivities included::
Delivering seminars on business planning, marketing andDelivering seminars on business planning, marketing and
entrepreneurship;entrepreneurship;
Creating an SME Policy Unit at the Vlore Municipality;Creating an SME Policy Unit at the Vlore Municipality;
Establishing the first co-operation with U.S. Peace Corps businessEstablishing the first co-operation with U.S. Peace Corps business
volunteers;volunteers;
Fostering SME development of Vlore region, by providing qualityFostering SME development of Vlore region, by providing quality
business knowledge, training and services, and counselingbusiness knowledge, training and services, and counseling
Carrying out market research through examining new investments,Carrying out market research through examining new investments,
product, and marketproduct, and market opportunities;opportunities;
30. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCALCITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAIDGOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID
(1996)(1996)
ImplementedImplemented by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI)by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI)
under the SMEDA Project.under the SMEDA Project.
Target GroupTarget Group: Municipality officials, Vlore NGOs,: Municipality officials, Vlore NGOs,
media, business community and students.media, business community and students.
31. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCALCITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAIDGOVERNMENT PROCESSES – USAID
The objectiveThe objective was to raise and answer questions such as:was to raise and answer questions such as:
Why is citizen participation important? Who are ‘the public’?Why is citizen participation important? Who are ‘the public’?
What are the effects of openness? and, What are the methods ofWhat are the effects of openness? and, What are the methods of
Participation ?Participation ?
Information on city services delivered to the city (costs, issues,Information on city services delivered to the city (costs, issues,
initiative, projects, etc.)initiative, projects, etc.)
Announcing all the decisions and regulations issued by the mayorAnnouncing all the decisions and regulations issued by the mayor
and other departments, publishing and distributing theand other departments, publishing and distributing the
bulletin/newspaper of municipality, etc.bulletin/newspaper of municipality, etc.
The structures of local government in the city, their responsibilitiesThe structures of local government in the city, their responsibilities
and their services.and their services.
Information on local NGOs and their activities, on environmentalInformation on local NGOs and their activities, on environmental
issues, citizens’ initiatives and other similar things;issues, citizens’ initiatives and other similar things;
Procedure to register a new business in the city;Procedure to register a new business in the city;
Public- interest advocacy involving professional lobbyists, mediaPublic- interest advocacy involving professional lobbyists, media
Participatory and WomenParticipatory and Women
32. R.D.A FUTURE OBJECTIVESR.D.A FUTURE OBJECTIVES
To increase the effectiveness, strengthen theTo increase the effectiveness, strengthen the
cooperation and enhance the professionalismcooperation and enhance the professionalism
towards fulfilling the RDA mission i.e.towards fulfilling the RDA mission i.e.
contributing as co-leader, working alongsidecontributing as co-leader, working alongside
the local business community, internationalthe local business community, international
donors, and local authorities and NGOs, todonors, and local authorities and NGOs, to
improve the business climate and encourageimprove the business climate and encourage
economic development in the regioneconomic development in the region
33. Vlora RDA Donors and PartnersVlora RDA Donors and Partners
World BankWorld Bank
Terre des hommes, Swiss child rights organization, operating to fight childTerre des hommes, Swiss child rights organization, operating to fight child
traffickingtrafficking
Network RDAsNetwork RDAs
Municipality of Vlora,SarandaMunicipality of Vlora,Saranda
SBCA –USAUD, RDA was subcontractor,SBCA –USAUD, RDA was subcontractor,
MSI-USAID anti-corruption project , RDA was subcontractor ,MSI-USAID anti-corruption project , RDA was subcontractor ,
SMEDA-USAIDSMEDA-USAID
PMU Italian ProjectPMU Italian Project
Peace Corps through collaboration with VolunteersPeace Corps through collaboration with Volunteers
EU “PHARE ProgramEU “PHARE Program
GTZ Germany ,RDA was subcontractor,GTZ Germany ,RDA was subcontractor,
UNDP/UNOPS;aUNDP/UNOPS;a
EOMMEX –Greece;EOMMEX –Greece;
USA Peace Corps VoluntaryUSA Peace Corps Voluntary
ILO Turin ItalyILO Turin Italy
